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Home › Articles › Feeding Baby › A Natural Start for Baby

A Natural Start for Baby

Organic for Beginners

By Jacqueline M. Duda

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Tips From Organically Savvy Moms
Anne Gartner, a Maryland mom of two boys, turns to the Annie's Homegrown Natural and Organic Foods brand for wholesome macaroni and cheese, pasta and snack crackers. She also recommends EnviroKidz cereals as excellent finger foods for babies.

Shopping at the Common Market Co-op in Frederick, Md., has enabled Gartner to easily purchase organic, pre-prepared baby food and finger foods. Cereals and organic applesauce cups have been a lifesaver that answered her need for convenience.

"Shop at your local co-op where you may be able to special order products that aren't currently stocked," says Gartner. "Don't be afraid to speak up or make suggestions." Those who are unable to locate organic markets in their vicinity should scour the Internet. Organic companies provide links to store locators and online shopping.

Organic beginners should educate themselves first by doing a little research. "Do become informed about what your baby is eating," says Jane Stucliffe, a Maryland mother of three. "Make careful choices about his or her food, and consider that crankiness or rashes can be related to food sensitivities or artificial products in foods."

And don't forget about baby clothes and body care products. Nest, a fair trade gift shop in Clarksville, Md., offers baby clothes made from organic cotton, natural wood toys and dolls crafted from organic cotton. Ingredients in bath and body care products should be carefully researched, as product contents will vary from brand to brand.

Feeding Babies the "Old-fashioned" Way
Stucliffe began researching organics after learning of pesticide usage on apples. "The more I read, the mre concerned I became with conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables," she says. "My babies like to eat off my plate. I bought some baby foods but mostly mashed up whatever I had, [such as] bananas, cereal or potatoes. I knew that most, if not all, of my babies' nutrition came from breastfeeding so solid food wasn't a huge concern at first. It was a learning experience for them, and I followed each baby's lead regarding their interest levels for certain tastes."


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