Better Baby Food: Your Essential Guide to Nutrition, Feeding and Cooking for All Babies and Toddlers

by Daina Kalnins BSc RD CNSD, Joanne Saab BSc RD

Everyone wants their children to have the best possible diet, particularly in those all-important first years of life. But parents (especially new parents) aren't nutritional experts. So how do they know if their babies and toddlers are getting all the nourishment they need? Now, with Better Baby Food , there's a complete, authoritative guide that takes the guesswork out feeding young children -- from birth to 24 months and beyond. Developed with the world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children , this book provides the most up-to-date, expert advice available, with easy-to-read information about every aspect of feeding young children -- from breast and bottle feeding through to the introduction of solid foods. Each page is packed with tips, recommendations and common-sense guidelines for parents, including important topics such as food safety and allergies, teething and tooth care, digestive problems, essential vitamins and minerals, snacking, homemade vs. commercially prepared foods, feeding while traveling, as well as vegetarian diets. But that's not all. In addition to its wealth of nutritional information, this book features over 220 easy-to-prepare recipes, organized by meal and recommended age range. Each recipe provides a full nutrient analysis, and has been baby- and toddler-tested to ensure maximum flavor appeal. Start the day with Baby's Fruit Smoothie or Apple Breakfast Bars . At midday try dishes such as Lunchtime Pasta and Bean Casserole or Crustless Cheese 'n Carrot Quiche and, for dinner, Fiesta Tomato Surprise or Chicken and Peach Salad . These recipes are so imaginative and delicious, you'll want to make them for your own dinner table! Every year, 4 million babies are born in North America, creating a huge market of new parents, all of whom are looking for anything that will make their sleep-deprived lives easier. With its combination of comprehensive nutritional information and fast-and-easy recipes, Better Baby Food is the ideal resource.

Genres: Parenting, Cookbooks, Reference, Cooking

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to solid foods for a first time mom.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this book from the library to help us transition our 6-month old to solid foods. I liked that it was relatively short - just 120 pages of text, plus recipes. I skimmed over the section on formula/breastmilk, since we had already mastered that area. It covered the basics of introducing food (which was my main area of interest) in about 15 pages. It simply but adequately covered feeding needs of children up to 24 months.

The book might be too simplistic for some, but it was just right for my first exposure to feeding infants. Lots of good information but not too overwelming.

[les.deux.etoiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A go-to book from when I was a new mom...and one I have revisited for many recipes since. Greatest resource I could find when I was starting out making my own babyfood which is FAR EASIER, HEALTHIER and CHEAPER than anyone thinks. Best as an "all things nutritional, allergy-helful, and recipes that run basic (make your own baby food) to expanded recipes for the whole family" kind of resource book.

[Olga Tytsyak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book to be a good practical guide on how to introduce solid foods as well as a good resource on nutritious facts and advice on a well balanced baby diet. The book contains many great home made food recipes for infants from 6 months. I would recommend this book as a good go-to resource especially for first time parents.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME comprehensive guide for those of us (me) who need help learning how to transition to solid foods. So easy and user-friendly. Has lots of good recipes too.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

need baby food ideas
recipes are geared more toward older babies. around 12mos. i figure by then my baby will be eating what I'm eating, only chopped up.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

not many ideas for our wheat-sensitive baby but would likely be useful for non-allergic babies. i got some good ideas for meals with eggs and veggie.

[Laura Schrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finsihed the second edition. This wa s a great book. Lots of recipes and tips. Very up to date information. Mostly receipes for 12 mo and up.

[Melanie Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book... i'd recommend it to any mother... informative with easy to make receipes.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the 2008 edition and was mortified they suggested French Fries & cookies were acceptable to feed a 12-24 month-old.

[Katy Hypes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the information a bit dated. And the approach to feeding slightly over the top. However a good basic reference to first time parents.