While it may not seem that way, commercially prepared baby food is a relatively new concept. Before the Gerber craze which began in the late 1920’s, all mothers fed their babies homemade baby food! Recipes for babies were often included in regular cookbooks. Yes, yesterday's mothers mashed soft fruits, boiled and pureed veggies, and even made their own rice cereal.

You may be wondering why today's parent would want to prepare their baby’s food when a variety of pureed fruits and veggies can be found at the supermarket. The answer to that question depends on who you ask.

I choose homemade baby food because I want to give my baby the most nutritious and freshest food available. When I gaze at the shelves of jarred food in the baby aisle, it is like looking at the frozen food section. Sure, convenience items like frozen lasagna are fine for some of the time, but would I feed my family convenience foods all of the time? I don’t think so. Doesn’t my baby deserve the best I have to offer? Furthermore, I want to avoid additives such as sugar, salt, and fillers that are often found in commercially prepared baby foods. Take one look at the labels on those “nutritious” finger foods designed for babies and you may be surprised. I have made about 70% of my daughter’s food, buying organic jarred food for meals at restaurants and trips to Grandma’s. Moms who are more organized may use ice cube trays to keep homemade food readily available, popping out one or two cubes at a time. They may even carry a portable food mill with them to puree fresh foods for baby while they‘re out.

Another reason why some parents choose homemade baby food is cost. Making your baby’s food at home is simply less expensive than buying food for baby at the supermarket. This is an important factor for one income families and single parents.

Since I had used commercially prepared food with my first child, I knew I needed to read a good book on the topic when I learned I was expecting a second child. I had seen Super Baby Food suggested over and over again on the natural parenting boards, so I knew exactly which book to buy when the time came.

I recommend this book to family and friends because it is well-researched and covers everything related to feeding your baby during the first two years. I have used it consistently since my daughter started solids and wish I known about it when I had my son. The author, Ruth Yaron, has written a comprehensive guide to feeding your little one. The book is about more than what, when, and how to feed your baby. It also deals with nutrition, explaining in detail how particular foods will benefit your child. Super Baby Food even includes recipes for bubbles, playdoh, baby wipe solution, and nontoxic cleansers.

Visit the Super Baby Food site to view the table of contents along with excerpts and sample recipes from Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.