Feed baby homecooked meals

After a set of tiring events, like bathing, cuddling and a small amount of crawling, one is guaranteed to find a crying baby – the reason being a huge appetite.

Many parents purchase bottled food for their children. They expect the food to be as nutritious as possible.

However, according to a study conducted by the US Centre for Science in the public interest (CSPI), leading baby food brands replace real food with water and thickening agents in many of their products, especially in the ones suitable for children over six months of age.

Bottled dinners provide less than 50 per cent of the nutrient levels found in natural meals. Most parents often end up paying more than double for these meals, as compared to a meal prepared at home.

Additionally, they are usually made from mass produce, which may not have used the best farming practices. Research by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown that children have a higher chance of being affected by chemicals used in farming.

It is thus advisable to prepare meals for children at home using organic products. By doing this, a parent will not just assure their child's safety, but also save on cost.

Internationally, a bottle of baby food costs $0.59 (Dh2.1). It is priced at $0.23 (Dh0.84) per ounce. According to wholesomebabyfood.com, a website dedicated to baby meals, preparing the same meal at home, using frozen peas, would cost $0.04 or 15 fils per ounce.

A six-month old baby eats 24 ounces of solid baby food a day. If parents were to feed their baby home cooked meals, they could save up to Dh497 per month and Dh5,964 in a year!

The ideal way to prepare the meal is to steam the vegetables, since that helps to retain the nutrients. When boiling, it is best to use very little water. This water should be saved after boiling the vegetables and used to prepare a puree. Any nutrients lost during boiling can be incorporated into the baby's meal.

To store the meals, place the food in a clean ice cube tray and freeze it. Each cube is one ounce, making it easier for parents to measure the quantity their child eats.

Cooked vegetables can be frozen for up to three months, whereas a combination of meat and vegetable can last for up to four months.

Organic baby food is available in the market, but it would still cost more than a home cooked meal. Additionally, food cooked by a parent would always taste better as it is made with love.