Homemade Healthy Baby Foods

Mother's milk is the ideal nourishment for your baby for the first six months of life for healthy growth and development. At six months of age, complementary foods or solid foods should be added to the diet of your baby. While your baby is receiving solid foods, continue breastfeeding up to 2 years of age and beyond.

Making baby food at home is a simple, nutritious, and economical plan that makes it easy for you to make sure your child gets the best start possible. Many mothers don't realize that making baby food at home has many benefits.

Here are some benefits of making your own baby foods:

It's healthy and nutritious

Preparing baby food at home enables you to add variety. Variety is key to a balanced diet, which is a core component of healthy and nutritious eating. For the next three years, your baby will experience rapid growth and development, so it is important to offer your baby a variety of foods to meet his nutritional needs.

You are in control

As a parent, you want the best thing for your baby. By preparing your baby's food, you know what your baby is eating. Aside from that, you are assured that your baby is eating quality and safe food. Feeding your baby with home made baby foods encourages healthy eating habits for your family.

It's easy

Making your own baby food at home is easy. You will not spend hours in the kitchen preparing special food for your baby. All you need to do is get baby food from the dishes cooked for the family. Example, for pureed vegetables, set aside a small amount of unseasoned vegetables, like squash from bulanglang, potatoes from nilaga, and munggo from munggo gisado. Mash the unseasoned vegetables and mix with lugaw. For lugaw and soft cooked rice, get it from already boiled family rice.

It's cheap

Preparing your own baby food at home is extremely cost-effective, choose foods that are in season.

It's fulfilling

Watching your baby enjoy the food you have just prepared is a very gratifying experience. You have the satisfaction that you are giving your baby healthy and nutritious diet, and saving money as well.

With all the abovementioned benefits of homemade baby food, you have everything to gain - a well-nourished baby.

For more information on food and nutrition, you may write or call: The Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Tagig, Metro Manila, Tel./Fax: 8372934, 8373164; E-mail:cvcb@fnri.dost.gov.ph ; FNRI-DOST website: http//www.fnri@dost.gov.ph

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