It can be shocking to find that the still-tiny infant is prepared for “real” food following months of nursing or bottle-feeding. This is why finding the best baby food becomes a necessity, though there are various brands that you can try, it could be a bit challenging too.
This wonderful (although messy!) transition can be beautiful but at the same time overwhelming. But here we’ve compiled a list of the best baby food brands that are available in the market that will help you to start on the right foot, that is spoon-feeding.
Baby Foods: When Should You Start?
The WHO i.e. World Health Organization, as well as the AAP i.e. American Academy of Pediatrics, suggest that infants be breastfed exclusively for the initial six months of their lives. Formula-fed babies are ready to move on to solid meals when they begin to show symptoms of readiness.
You might start solids at four or five months in certain cases, but it’s better to talk to the pediatrician about it. Usually, babies are prepared to start softer or puréed meals till the time the baby is around 6 months old unless the doctor advises otherwise.
How To Choose The Best Baby Food?
To bring you some of the best baby food brands that are available in the market, we spoke with some pediatricians, went through studied research, surveyed real parents, studied reviews, and employed our own little ones as taste testers (though we can’t claim their perspective on nutritional content).
Parenthood Bliss’ Picks Of The Best Baby Food Brands
1. Best Overall Baby Food: Jarred
Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
These easy-to-use, low-cost baby food available in jars are a favorite of almost every parent. They’re packaged in glass jars that are recyclable and come in both organic and natural varieties. Beech-blends Nut’s are available in a variety of stages, from foods made of single-ingredient (such as plum and butternut squash) for early eaters to multi-meal blends with thinner textures for young kids.
2. Best Organic Baby Food Available In Pouches
Plum Organics Stage 1
Plum Organics does have a fantastic variety of baby food choices to test if you care about organic foods, sustainability, and ingredients that are non-GMO.
Its BPA-free sachets are easy to use and come in all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and grains for all stages of eating. These foods include no additional sugars or salts, making them nutritious and straightforward for a baby’s developing digestive tract.
3. Best Cost-Effective Baby Food
Gerber Organic 1st Foods
Gerber is a well-known infant food brand that has made improvements in recent years and has made their products healthier (e.g., they have started their organic line). Despite this, they have remained one of the most cost-effective packaged baby food products available in the market.
Glass jars, organic ingredients, and a wide array of food options are available which serves as a benefit, without the high cost of some of the alternatives in the list.
4. Best Baby Foods For Constipation
The Gerber Natural 1st Food (Pear)
When babies first start eating solid foods, they may experience constipation (especially if the baby is consuming a lot of dairy-based food or cereals that are iron-fortified). In addition to continuing to feed the baby breast milk, all the “P” fruits may help reduce your child’s digestive pain.
So pears, prunes, peaches, and plums are some among others fruits and vegetables that might help keep the baby’s bowels moving. There are a lot of fruit puree brands mentioned in the lost, but if you want a brand that is cost-effective you must go for Gerber Naturals.
5. Best Baby Food: Organic Jarred
Happy Baby Clearly Crafted Stage 1
The Happy Family company, which sells organic baby food that is jarred and can be found in most stores, is yet another fantastic organic baby food alternative (although not quite as widely as Beech-Nut and Plum Organics).
The items in Happy Baby jars range from mango and kale to spinach, chia seeds, and peaches. Start with the single-ingredient containers and work your way up to the fruit/veggie blends as the child gets older.
6. Best Baby Food With Subscription Service
Yumi
You may be concerned about premade baby food for a number of reasons, but you may lack the time to create homemade food for the baby. Here is Fresh baby food that comes to your rescue which is delivered right at your door. Yes, it sounds fantastical, but it’s true.
Yumi has a range of meals for the baby’s developing palate and chewing skills at different stages (from pudding made of chia seeds and sweet potatoes to mixed vegetables). This is an organic, super fresh option consisting of a lot of benefits that are found in homemade food, hence you can now give nutritional food to the baby without investing much time.
7. Best Baby Food: Finger Food
Happy Family Organics Snacks
When the baby is nine to twelve months old and eating proper solids (rather than purées), Happy Family Organics has a range of delicate finger meals to choose from.
There are a variety of options available, ranging from yogurt drop to rice puff, that will provide you with organic and natural components while saving your time from having to prepare separate finger meals for your kid.
8. Best Baby Food: Fresh
Organic Cold-Pressed Baby Food From Once Upon A Farm
These organic, cold-pressed baby formula pouches and cups can be found in any grocery store’s refrigerated area (you also need to store the pouch in the refrigerator at home). For making baby food much easier for your hectic schedule, the company offers a subscription delivery option.
They have creative names for the products such as “Magic Velvet Mango” and “Wild Rumpus Avocado” which brings a smile to your face and the wide range of flavors generally appeal to the little ones.
9. Best First Time Baby Cereals
The Gerber Organic 1st Food Single Grain Cereal
This basic cereal is an excellent first snack for a child. It consists of just one ingredient, you may combine the whole-grain cereal along with breast milk, water or formula, to give your baby some essential nutrients (including iron) as well as make them experienced with spoon and texture.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises multigrain cereals or oatmeal over rice cereals because they are less likely to contain toxins like arsenic, as this becomes a problem with rice products.
Best Baby Foods: Concluding Thoughts
If your baby is breastfed, it’s a great time, to begin with, baby cereals that are rich in iron or even puréed meats as a general rule (babies who are breastfed are in more need of iron than babies who are formula-fed). It’s also a good idea, to begin with, single-ingredient vegetable, fruit, and meat purees.
Always remember to buy baby food that is certified organic, uses BPA-free material, and specifically uses whole-grain ingredients that are good for the baby. Avoid buying products that use added salts, sugars, extra corn syrup as they are not healthy for the baby, so ensure all these factors before you buy one.
FAQs Related To The Best Baby Food
1. How do I choose the correct baby food?
Buy baby food that is organic, uses materials that are BPA-free, and makes the use of whole-grain ingredients. Avoid purchasing brands that use added sugars and salts or corn syrup as they are not good for the baby’s health, you should always consult the doctor before buying one.
2. Are baby food pouches good for health?
It is absolutely safe and healthy to buy baby food that comes in pouches, all you need to take care of is the ingredients that consist in the baby food. Baby food that is available in pouches is more convenient to use and store, at the same time you can easily carry it with you everywhere.
3. Should I buy organic baby foods?
It is very important to buy baby foods that are organic because baby food is an alternative to homemade food, and so it needs to contain all the nutritional benefits that homemade meals contain.