Moving Your Baby on to Solids
Part of your newborn’s development will be the transition into solid foods. This is important for their growth and development, and it is exciting to let your baby try new things. Whether you want to buy baby food from the store or make it yourself, there are so many options available.
When do babies start eating baby food in a jar?
Baby food in a jar is considered solid food (compared to milk which is obviously a liquid). Although reports differ slightly, it is suggested that you can start to introduce baby food to your newborn at around aged 4 to6 months. Your child should still be drinking milk at this time (breastmilk or formula), but you can add baby food to their diet, which can help them to make the transition into solids.
Also, remember that each baby is different, and might not be ready for solid foods at the same time. Talk to your baby’s doctor about when you think the time is right for your child to begin eating baby food in a jar. They will be able to help determine whether or not your child has developed enough to begin introducing things to their diet. Three key signs your child is ready for solids include:
- They have lost their tongue-thrust reflex
The tongue-thrust reflex is something that all babies are born with. When you touch your baby’s mouth/lips, they will immediately stick out their tongue slightly. This helps the baby’s mouth to latch on to the mother’s nipple, helping the baby to receive nutrition. Babies lose this natural reflex as they grow, signifying that they are ready for new foods.
- They are beginning to support their own head/neck
Your baby needs to be able to hold their own head up, indicating control of their head and neck muscles. They also need to be able to sit up independently. This is to reduce the risk of choking (although it is important to note that you must always be vigilant).
- Your baby wants to try new foods
As babies grow, they become more and more interested in the world around them. You may find that your child is particularly interested in the food that you (or those around you) consume. If you see your child reaching for what you are eating, or focuses on it, they may be ready to try new food. You should not immediately give your six month old what you are eating, but begin introducing baby food in a jar.
If your baby does not want to eat baby food right away, that’s fine. That is probably an indication that they are not ready to move on from exclusively drinking milk. If that is the case, you should wait a while before trying to reintroduce baby food. Breastmilk or formula are still going to be providing them with all of the nutrients that they need, so that is ok.
How much is a jar of baby food
The cost of baby food is going to vary, depending on where you live and what brand you buy. For example, a pack 10 Gerber baby food jars costs around $12.20, which equates to $0.35 per ounce. Cheaper alternatives such as Beech-Nut cost $6.30 for 10 jars ($0.15 per ounce). You may wish to pay more for baby foods that are completely natural, with only organic ingredients. Although this is more expensive, some parents believe that it is healthier for the baby.
If you are struggling to pay for baby food from the store, it can often be cheaper to make your own. All you need to do is blend foods that you may already have at home (pumpkin, banana, yam, avocado, carrot, etc.). If you choose the right foods, this can end up being almost half the cost of purchasing baby food from the store.
How many ounces of food are in a baby food jar
Most jars of baby food contain 4 ounces. It is recommended that you feed your baby as much as they want. Babies instinctively know when they are full, and they will stop eating. As long as you pay attention, you should be able to pick up on these signs. Babies should be having multiple small meals throughout the day, and you can incorporate baby food into these.
Initially, your baby will probably not want to eat an entire jar of baby food. This is absolutely fine, and there is no problem with just feeding them a couple of spoonfuls alongside milk. As your baby grows, so too will their stomach, and they will begin to want more. It is suggested that babies around the 6 to 8-month mark may be eating up to 8 ounces of baby food a day, equivalent to 2 jars.
How long will food last in a vacuum-sealed jar
If you don’t want to feed your baby processed foods with a long list of ingredients, don’t worry. It’s incredibly easy to make your own baby food at home, and it is just as nutritious. All you need for this is a blender and a range of different foods. Simply puree the food so that it is smooth, making it safe for your child.
You can store the food in a vacuum-sealed jar, which will make it last for so much longer. If you freeze food in a vacuum-sealed jar, it can last for up to 12 months. You can store food in the fridge in one of these jars for a week and it will be fine. This is a lot longer than if you store food using any other container. In most cases, non-vacuum sealed food will only last in the fridge for a few days. Using a vacuum-sealed jar means that you can make the food well in advance, and not have to worry every time that your child is hungry.
Some people actually think that making baby food at home is a lot healthier than buying it from the store. It helps you to know exactly what you are feeding your baby. This can be especially important if they start to display signs of allergies. If your baby food is made at home, you can easily determine what ingredient/ingredients might have caused this.
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