Baby food - Definition and Overview

Baby food is any food that is made specifically for infants, roughly between the ages of six months to two years. The food comes in many varieties, with different manufacturers and tastes. A common trait of the many different baby foods is that they are designed for ease of eating; either a soft, liquidy paste or an easily chewed food. This is due to the fact that infants lack teeth and experience in eating.

Each baby is different, some may need food other than breast milk or infant formula sooner than others, and as there is no Baby Food Pyramid it is hard to tell the nutritional requirements of a baby. Babies typically move to consuming baby food once nursing or formula is not sufficient for the child's appetite. Nursing, or breastfeeding, usually stops when the baby begins to teethe, due to biting that occurs. A baby usually starts to eat solid food once the child has enough teeth to adequately chew.

It is recommended to give the babies baby food at around 6 months of age and to introduce only one new food at a time, leaving a few days in between to notice any reactions that would indicate a food allergy or sensitivity. This way if a baby is unable to tolerate a certain food then it can be determined which food is causing the reaction.

See also

• Pablum