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Food bank baby formula


When parents are struggling to feed their babies, why don’t all food banks offer formula? | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

Since I had my baby in March, the cost of formula has hugely increased – some brands by as much as 22%. The vast majority of babies in Britain, mine included, are fed at least some formula by the age of six weeks, so inflation will have widespread repercussions. I wonder how those parents who rely solely on formula for their babies must be feeling if they are unable to pay.

Healthy start vouchers no longer cover the cost. Charities are warning that vulnerable parents may be forced to resort to unsafe practices, such as watering down formula or giving infants porridge. Parents tell me this is already happening. “I get £94 a week maternity pay. That’s not even my rent,” says one, who is struggling to afford formula.

Despite this, many food banks will not give out formula. Formula sales across Europe are governed by strict advertising regulations, in support of the World Health Organization’s breastfeeding promotion guidelines, which encourage exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months and continued breastfeeding for two years or longer. As such, initiatives that could be seen to encourage formula feeding are often met with strong resistance. Supermarkets cannot put it on special offer, and you can’t use loyalty points to buy it; one father told me of his humiliation at discovering this when he had no money and needed to feed his child.

Formula companies are not exactly known for their scrupulousness, as US shortages have demonstrated, and their marketing tactics can be aggressive. Why prices are being raised must be scrutinised. But nevertheless, I feel grateful for baby formula. Throughout human history, babies have needed supplementary feeding. To contemplate that parents in 2022 could be concocting their own, unsafe alternatives is heartbreaking.

That many food banks won’t distribute it is baffling. The position of Unicef UK – whose guidelines echo the World Health Organization’s and are followed by food banks, many NHS trusts and governmental and non-governmental organisations – frustrates me. Food banks handing out formula “can be a risky practice that can inadvertently cause harm”, according to the children’s charity, and food bank staff cannot support families “to feed their babies as safely as possible” in the same way trained professionals, such as health visitors and midwives, can. Their stance is that local authorities have a duty of care to ensure that vulnerable families are able to give their babies formula when they cannot pay. Food banks should point users in the direction of the relevant services.

Parents who can afford formula (which is legally available in supermarkets) are trusted to feed their babies safely, yet poor people are only expected to do so with the input of a medical professional. It is patronising, and will make parents feel even more stigmatised when they are already shamed. “The mentality of the public towards food banks and formula is atrocious,” one mother says. “The comments on the news are disgusting, ‘Don’t have kids if you can’t afford them.’”

Hungry babies don’t wait around for referrals, or for local authorities to provide formula to vulnerable families, or for the government to increase the value of healthy start vouchers. So while I agree that the provision should be there, we are in an emergency situation. Families are suffering as a result of a policy that could easily be rectified with a small amount of training for staff.

Though Unicef disagrees, I can’t help but feel that its views around formula are rooted in its controversial “baby-friendly” breastfeeding initiative, which has been criticised for its prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach to encourage breastfeeding. One volunteer at a large inner-city Trussell Trust-seeded food bank told me of her frustration. Food banks in the Trussell Trust network are both independent and affiliated, but all of them receive guidelines based on those issued by Unicef. Instead of giving users donated formula, the centre passes milk on to a baby bank and people are referred there. But, the volunteer tells me, the baby bank is only open two mornings a week. “It is Christian paternalism which dictates that all women should breastfeed and assumes all babies have a cisgender mother who can and wants to,” she says. The Trussell Trust is a Christian charity, but says: “We do not campaign on health issues and we do not have a stance on breastfeeding or on other health issues. ”

We saw the “just breastfeed your baby” discourse over shortages in the US, despite it making little social, economic or biological sense (you can’t just magic up a milk supply). While I don’t think this is the explicit narrative here – Unicef says it supports all families however they choose to feed their child – a resistance to making formula too easily available seemingly has underpinnings in breastfeeding initiatives.

I spoke to the Trussell Trust, which was robust in its assertion that food banks are independent and that these are only guidelines (Unicef also said this). But it also said that most food banks do follow them, which seems like a cop-out.

I hope that some food bank managers rethink their stance, and note that Unicef says immediate cash grants could be given so that users can buy their own formula. Formula is safe and parents do not need expert assistance to feed their babies food that is legally available. As the volunteer I spoke to said: “Sadly, all we are doing is making starving parents jump through more hoops to feed their children. It’s no surprise formula is one of the most stolen items in supermarkets. I’m continually upset and disgusted at this horrible policy.”

What’s working

Despite having missed most of his baby swimming classes due to illness, my son has taken to it like a fish to water. My husband says it was amazing seeing him swim underwater, and he loved it. Was it worth the preposterous amount it ended up costing? The instructors are great, but we have learned our financial lesson about pre-booked classes. Considering the far cheaper, but sadly much chillier, leisure centre.

What’s not

Two hospital stays in less than a month, and what might be the beginning of another virus, have me on edge about Christmas socialising. All I want by this point is for him to be well, and if that means jettisoning some plans then so be it, but it’s quite lonely. I’m looking forward to being able to see family soon.

Information for Families During the Formula Shortage

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There’s nothing as important to families as the health and safety of their babies, and the formula shortage has left many people feeling anxious about how they’ll feed them. Some young children, teens, and adults with medical needs also rely on formula for their nutrition. They may be impacted by the shortage, too.

We know it’s not easy to change your baby’s diet. However, if you can’t find formula in stock, here are some tips for finding safe substitutes.

Find Safe Substitutes

Information provided reflects input from physicians and other experts at the Department of Health and Human Services, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (NASPGHAN).

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Try a New Brand of Formula

One-Page Flier

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Note: Children younger than 6 months old should only drink breast milk or infant formula. Talk with your pediatrcian or other health care provider if you are having difficulty breastfeeding or finding infant formula.

Most babies will do just fine with different brands of formula, including store brands, as long as they're the same type, like cow's milk-based, soy, hypoallergenic (extensively hydrolyzed), or elemental (amino acid-based). Keep in mind that your baby may seem to not like the taste, or may have a hard time tolerating a different formula, initially. If this happens:

  • Try slowly introducing small amounts of the new formula by mixing it with your regular formula. Slowly increase the amount of the new formula over time.
  • Be patient, since it may take some time for your baby to get used to it.
  • If your baby is vomiting, has gas pains, is crying or can't be calmed down during feedings, is losing weight, has diarrhea, has blood or mucus in their poop, or is straining to poop, they may not be tolerating the new formula. Call your pediatrician or other health care provider if you have questions.

If you need help figuring out which formulas you may be able to substitute:

  • Your pediatrician or other health care provider is always the best resource because they know your baby and their health history.
  • You can also check this list of comparable formulas developed by an organization of pediatric gastroenterologists called NASPGHAN. Keep in mind that this list focuses on substitutes for formulas that were part of the February 2022 recall, so you might not see your baby's formula listed here. Any substitution should only be done under the recommendation and supervision of your pediatrician or other healthcare provider.
  • Learn more about formula preparation and storage.

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Try Formula That’s Made in Another Country

You can also consider buying formula that's made outside of the United States in U.S. stores. Stores will start carrying or may already have these options. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed these formula companies to market certain products in the United States, and may allow more infant formula products that meet its criteria to be sold in the U.S. When preparing formula made in other countries:

  • Read the mixing instructions carefully for preparing powdered formulas. They may require different amounts of powder or water than formulas made in the U. S.
  • Use the FDA's conversion chart to convert milliliters to fluid ounces and common conversions from Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F).

Consumers should be cautious when buying formula that’s made outside of the U.S. from online marketplaces, as it has the potential to be counterfeit. Learn more about how to spot counterfeit infant formula: What are counterfeit infant formulas? How can I avoid buying such products?

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Talk to Your Pediatrician or Other Health Care Provider About Substitutes for Hypoallergenic or Specialty Formula.

If you need hypoallergenic or medical specialty formula, it may be harder to find a substitute. Talk to your pediatrician or other health care provider about acceptable substitutes. Depending on which formula your baby needs, your doctor may be able to submit an urgent request for specialized formula to Abbott Nutrition, which is releasing some specialty and low-iron formulas on a case-by-case basis.

Feed Your Baby Safely

If you can't find enough formula, there may be some short-term options that can help in an urgent situation. You should also know about serious safety concerns related to certain alternative preparations for feeding your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician or other health care provider first if you don't have enough formula to feed your baby.

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Talk to Your Pediatrician or Other Health Care Provider About Short-Term Options

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Explore Resources for Breast Milk or Breastfeeding

Talk with your pediatrician or other health care provider about using human milk from a human milk bank.

  • If possible, consider a local milk bank that is accredited through the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). Keep in mind that most of the milk from milk banks is given to hospitalized babies, and they may not have enough to serve healthy babies at all times.
  • Never purchase human milk on the internet. Human milk bought through the internet could be diluted with other substances or contaminated with germs and might not be collected, stored, or transported safely. You also cannot be sure if the donor was medically screened for infectious diseases or drug use.
  • Informal human milk sharing in the community also has risks. If you are considering feeding your baby with human milk from a source other than the baby’s mother, talk to your pediatrician or other healthcare provider about the potential risks.

For families who are using both breast milk and formula, consider shifting more of your baby’s diet to breast milk.

  • This could mean you need to increase your breast milk supply. You can do this by breastfeeding your baby more frequently or by adding pumping sessions between breastfeedings. Pumped milk can be kept in a refrigerator and stored frozen for later use.
  • The CDC provides more information about breastfeeding, travel, and pumping and local support for mothers who are breastfeeding.

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Avoid Unsafe Formula Practices and Buying More Than You Need

Don't try to make formula at home. There are serious health and safety concerns with homemade formula. Your baby's nutritional needs are very specific, especially in the first year of life. Homemade formula may contain too little or too much of certain vitamins and minerals, like iron. Homemade formula also increases the risk of contamination, which could make your baby sick or lead to infection.

Don't water down formula. Adding more water means your baby does not get enough of the nutrients they need and can lead to serious health problems, like seizures.

Don't use formula past the "best by" or "use by" date. The formula may not be safe and may have lost some of its nutrients.

Don't buy more formula than you need. The shortage is affecting families who are already navigating the stress of parenting during a pandemic. It can be tempting to buy as much formula as possible right now, but the AAP suggests buying no more than a 10-14 day supply to help improve shortages.

Get Help From WIC

If you need help buying formula, you’re not alone. About 43 percent of all babies in the U.S. receive help from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC provides formula and food for your family, and can connect you to trained professionals who provide health screenings, breastfeeding support, and nutrition advice. You can also participate in WIC while you’re pregnant. Contact your local WIC clinic to see if you or your family is eligible.

Check your eligibility

Check out our Infant Formula Resources multilingual social media toolkit.

Get Help Finding Formula

Organizations in your community and formula companies may be able to help you find formula or safe substitutes.

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Community Resources

  • Locate your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA): Your local CAA may be able to give you formula or connect you with local agencies that have formula.
  • Call 211: United Way’s 2-1-1 can connect you to a community resource specialist who may be able to help you find local food pantries and other sources of formula.
  • Find an accredited milk bank: The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) gives donated breast milk to families in need. You may need a prescription from your pediatrician or other health care provider to get donated breast milk from HMBANA.

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Formula Company Phone Numbers

Formula companies may be able to help you find formula or safe substitutes. Because a lot of people are looking for formula, you may experience long wait times. Most types of formula may also be out of stock.

  • MyGerber Baby Expert: Reach a certified nutrition or lactation consultant by phone, text, Facebook Messenger, web chat, or video call to help you find a similar formula that may be more readily available.
  • Similac (Abbott’s) urgent product request line: Ask your gynecologist (OB/GYN) or your baby’s pediatrician or other health care provider to submit an urgent product request for metabolic or low-iron formula by downloading and completing the form.
  • Enfamil (Reckitt’s) customer service line: Call 1-800-222-9123 (BABY-123) for help finding formula.

Learn About How the Shortage Started

Supply chain issues from the pandemic contributed to the current formula shortage. It worsened when Abbott Nutrition, one of the country’s largest formula producers, voluntarily recalled formula and closed one of its production facilities in Sturgis, Michigan. The President, agencies across the U.S. government, retailers, and the formula industry are working around the clock to address this shortage and get formula back on shelves. To date, production has ramped up 30-50%.

Learn About Actions the U.S. Government is Taking

  • The President invoked the Defense Production Act. This law puts U.S. formula manufacturers first in line to receive the resources they need to increase formula production. The President is also working with other countries to airlift formula to the U.S. through Operation Fly Formula.
  • The FDA and the U.S. Department of Justice negotiated a consent decree with Abbott Nutrition, under which Abbott Nutrition agreed to take specified corrective actions in order to start producing formula again at their Michigan facility. Abbott Nutrition has stated that it will focus on specialty formulas for people with metabolic and other needs first. FDA has also been meeting regularly with other major formula manufacturers who are working to produce more formula to meet the demand. Read more about FDA’s actions.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with states, tribal nations, and territories across the country to ensure that families who participate in WIC can use their benefits to purchase additional types of formula.

Read more about the additional steps that President Biden is taking to address the formula shortage.

Baby food: mother's handmade vs. "jars" - October 13, 2010

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Pediatricians of the old school are shocked: “Before, our children understood that food was what their mother cooked, but now poor babies are reacting on the click when opening the jar. Needless to say, this point of view has a great army of fans: the grandmothers of our children are amazed, how can you replace natural food with “canned food” that can be stored in the refrigerator for more than a year? Well, really, due to what such a huge shelf life? And, maybe, it’s true, it’s better to cook with your own hands, and not “poison” the child with another unimaginable mix of glass containers? Looking for an answer.

About the benefits of contradictions

“Needless to say, maybe it’s better that many mothers do not trust canned food: for the whole practice of “mother’s cuisine”, a lot of tasty and healthy children’s dishes have appeared, – smiles allergist Margarita Gusev . “Nevertheless, there is no need to escalate the atmosphere around canned food. In the end, for many parents who do not have enough time for self-cooking, this is a way out of the situation. As for the imaginary harmfulness of the subject of the dispute, I can say that all this is complete nonsense.

“Mom can do anything, but why? - Alla , the mother of Polina's fidget, is indignant. – Moreover, more useful substances are stored in canned food. Okay, you will! True, these disputes are tired. I just don’t understand: cooking yourself with a variety of normal purchased food is the same as sweeping with a broom when there are vacuum cleaners, because from a vacuum cleaner, they say, the electromagnetic field is wrong! “Yes, I understand that it’s more convenient,” says Irina , mother of twins, “and saves a lot of time, but why can store-bought food be stored for so long? My husband is a chef and he insists that natural ingredients cannot be stored for two years. Surely the manufacturers add something there! I'd rather spend more time in the kitchen, but my children will not eat any chemicals.

Let's face it: retention times really confuse us unenlightened people. In fact, long periods of storage are ensured by a special aseptic technology that excludes the ingress of pathogens into the product, as well as product sterilization, - explains technologist Daria Osintseva . – Special vacuum packaging provides the possibility of long-term storage of the product without the use of preservatives. As for the fears of using baby food because of the supposedly large amount of harmful substances contained in canned food, I want to please mothers and reassure grandmothers: yes, indeed, some baby food products contain an additive of starch, which makes the product thicker. But, you see, on the shelf you can find both fruit and vegetable purees without the addition of starch. Meat purees necessarily contain a cereal component or starch, which are necessary to create a consistency suitable for a child. Spices in baby food products are included in very limited quantities, their list is strictly defined by special requirements. But the use of flavors, dyes and flavorings in the production of baby food is absolutely prohibited.” In fairness, it must be said that not only mothers and manufacturers are concerned about the quality of baby food, but also national inspection bodies that allow these products to enter the market of their countries. In Russia, the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences is responsible for certification of both imported and domestic baby food. The same organization issues recommendations on the timing of the introduction of complementary foods and its qualitative composition (the latter are dated 1997 - Approx. author ), and also ensures that the information on the packaging does not contradict this information.

Another strong argument against: “I know what I cook food for my child myself, and what is in the jar is unknown.” In fact, the food manufacturer is legally responsible for all the information on the label. The etiquette, like the product itself, undergoes a mandatory strict examination. By the way, no one will give you a guarantee that vegetables and fruits bought at the market have grown in an ecologically clean area, and not on the side of the road. When buying them, you cannot check if they contain lead and radionuclides. And, of course, no one will admit to you that they were treated with chemical fertilizers. Even if you feed your precious child only with what has grown in your garden and take meat from well-known people, unfortunately, food safety cannot be fully guaranteed here either. Who knows how and where a nearby industrial enterprise dumps waste, huh?!

A canned food is made from proven quality products, grown, harvested, processed and packaged in compliance with all safety standards.

As for the alleged cheapness, which is cited as an argument by parents in favor of homemade food, then remember this: a growing child needs both taste and vitamin diversity. What if it's not in season? In winter, daily fruits and vegetables will cost you much more than the famous "jars".

Of the undoubted advantages of self-cooked food, perhaps, is its vitality. After all, your child is growing up, and since we are talking about complementary foods, it means that he is at least six months old: the time when the baby reaches for the common table and food lying on his mother's plate. Out of interest, out of curiosity. And the truth is, you can’t eat “banks” forever! “I would recommend food from containers only for the smallest children,” advises pediatrician Elena Mironenko . - Still, no matter how our many grandmothers insist, this food (subject to the terms and conditions of storage, of course) is more hypoallergenic than "live" products. For older babies, closer to a year, it is still better to cook on your own. But not because "banks" are harmful. And in order to accustom the child to ordinary food. Purchased food is a good option, for example, in case the mother does not have time, or the baby is too hungry to endure.

In addition, to avoid unnecessary hassle with separate cooking for the crumbs, give preference to foods and dishes that are healthy for the whole family. Similarly, adult lovers of smoked sausages will finally take a break from artificial products, preservatives and flavor enhancers. Boiled chicken meat, and with it the broth, vegetable salads with olive oil, cottage cheese puddings and cereals, finally, all this is useful not only for children. The same chicken with the same ketchup will please the older generation, but it is also in the form of mashed potatoes with vegetables chopped in a blender - a great dish for kids!

Another nuance: “In the course of my work in the restaurant, I realized that children also “love with their eyes,” smiles the chef and developer of the children's menu of the famous restaurant Vladimir . – Food for them is one of the ways of knowing the world. That is why you can attract the attention of kids to food with bright and (and) beautifully decorated dishes. In this case, we are not talking about culinary floristry. A few cuts on the sides of the carrot - the butterfly is ready, the chicken egg cut in half and turned down with the yolk - the soil for fine art: you can attach a sprig of parsley - there will be a tail, two peas - eyes! Fantasize! And there will be an appetite for your children.”

About the dangers of the Russian Avos

If for one reason or another you prefer to feed your child with purchased food, do not forget about safety rules. “Once a friend called me and told me that her little daughter was poisoned by fruit puree bought in a regular store,” Anna, mother of Irochka , tells . Since then, I have not trusted this brand of baby food for a long time. Until I realized that a friend just used an expired product.

“Indeed, when buying “glass food” for your baby, be extremely careful with the terms and conditions of storage. I would like to emphasize that you should not buy baby jars in supermarkets, which are notorious for violating deadlines, - recommends pediatrician Elena Mironenko. “I can advise you to take food for the child in pharmacies, where the conditions are more stringent in this sense: for the discovery during the check of at least one expired jar, the institution can be closed.”

When choosing products in the store, make sure that the packaging is not accidentally damaged - leaky, swollen or torn.

Rule two: consider age recommendations. On each jar, the age from which this product can be consumed must be indicated. If it is written that you can introduce this type of complementary foods only from eight months, in no case do it earlier. This is not a whim of the manufacturer, but data obtained as a result of research, neglecting which can contribute to the development of an allergy or an elementary aversion to the product in a child in the future.

The third point: if you are just starting to introduce complementary foods, pamper your baby exclusively with one-component purees. "Apple" or "pear" or whatever. But not "pear-apple", for example. The fact is that if the product does not suit the child, you will know: you do not need to eat it yet. Subsequently, it will be possible to buy two and even three-component mixtures, but for now, keep an eye on the composition, and do not buy everything that seems tasty.

Pay attention to the label when buying. It should contain the following data: expiration date, age recommendations, composition of the product, method of preparation. If you could not find at least one item, you should be wary: perhaps you have a fake in front of you.

Thinking about what to feed your baby, be guided not by remorse, but by common sense and your own desires and capabilities. Experts assure that there is no longer such a dilemma: to show the wonders of culinary art yourself or use purchased food. Both are good. Most importantly, cook with love. Even if the process of "cooking" consists in laying out a saucer on mashed potatoes. Bon appetit!

Baby food - from a jar or do it yourself? Pros and cons

Complementary foods are solid foods for young children in addition to dairy products that they have received for several months as their sole source of nutrition.

— Polina Aleksandrovna, why is the introduction of complementary foods called a transitional stage in a child's nutrition?

— The beginning of acquaintance with complementary foods does not mean the transition to an adult table. The first or second complementary foods are important so that the child adapts and is psychologically ready to eat adult food, and his digestive organs are tuned to work properly. Therefore, complementary foods are considered a transitional stage from milk nutrition to nutrition at a common table.


- Does the composition of the canned zucchini or apple puree for babies differ from the homemade version?

- Factory nutrition may vary depending on the raw materials that the manufacturer uses in a particular puree. Therefore, it is impossible to say that all such food is the same. For example, zucchini puree may contain rice flour so that its consistency is more correct in the opinion of the manufacturer. Mom decides what to put in, and in the same way she can add rice flour. An industrial puree that is suitable for a child and meets the requirements of parents may be identical in composition to homemade puree.

— There is a lot of speculation about baby food in jars. What are the most common parenting misconceptions?

- The most common myth is "canned mashed potatoes don't taste good and kids don't eat them well. " In fact, most babies enjoy eating factory-made purees without experiencing any problems.

There are concerns that baby puree is “wrong” or does not meet nutritional requirements. The manufacturer is required by law to list all the ingredients of the product. For example, mashed potatoes may contain rice flour that is not always healthy, especially if vegetables are introduced to the child in order to avoid constipation. What kind of food is more useful for the baby, whether to buy just such a puree or look for another in composition - the parents decide together with the doctor. Therefore, it is wrong to equate all manufacturers and their products.


See also
  • "10 myths about canned baby food"

- Puree is often said to contain preservatives.

— Modern technologies make it possible not to use preservatives in the production of baby food. That is why it is written on the jars that open food is not stored for more than a day even in the refrigerator. As long as puree does not come into contact with air, it does not spoil within the specified shelf life due to sterilization and vacuum packaging. After opening the jar and contact with air, the puree quickly deteriorates, which indicates the absence of preservatives in it.

— Is it true that canned baby food is addictive, and then the child refuses natural products?

- There is no causal relationship here. When a child refuses a fresh apple, the problem is not the canned puree in his diet, but that he is not familiar with food in pieces. The child ate a homogeneous puree for a long time, and then they offer him a large piece of an apple - naturally, he will not cope with it right away. That is why, after the child gets used to a homogeneous puree, puree with soft small pieces is gradually introduced - so that there is no discomfort if the baby does not chew them. Gradually, the pieces become larger and denser. Over time, the child comes to eat a real whole apple or other hard fruit or vegetable.

Baby food in a jar or homemade puree - which is right for a baby? Pros and cons of


— How long can I feed my baby bottled baby food?

- You can feed your baby as much as you like, there is no strict age limit. But baby needs to be introduced to the different textures and flavors of . The need for canned food usually disappears when the baby moves to a common table with a diet familiar to the whole family. During this period, puree from a jar, especially tasty and sweet fruit varieties, often becomes a safe treat for grown-up babies.

— In which cases canned baby puree is contraindicated?

- There are no diseases in which canned puree is contraindicated. But for some diseases, the presence of a particular product in baby food is undesirable. Factory puree is different in composition. Parents can choose purees without ingredients that are not suitable for the baby or should be limited in his diet, and continue to feed the canned product without problems.

— How to choose baby food in a jar that is healthy for a child?

- First of all, you need to read the full composition of the product on the back, because some ingredients are not indicated on the front label of the jar. It is important to pay attention to the expiration date of the food, the reputation of the manufacturer. All components of the puree must correspond to the age and condition of the child, his individual characteristics.

For example:

  • the first puree must not contain rice flour;
  • Do not give strawberry puree to a child at four months;
  • cereals are excluded from the diet of children with celiac disease (gluten intolerance);
  • An older baby should be offered puree with chunks.
MAMAKO
® fruit puree with goat curd pleases the baby with a delicate taste, and the mother with a simple and understandable composition! The plant, which produces MAMAKO ® fruit puree with goat curd, has successfully passed an international audit and received a TUV certificate, which confirms the quality and safety of products.

What mistakes do parents make when preparing puree for feeding with their own hands

- Sometimes parents cook the wrong way - sometimes they overcook vegetables, and also make the puree too thin or thick. I hope that no one will fry food for their young children instead of boiling or steaming. Sometimes parents put spices and salt in baby puree, which is also not worth doing. The child should initially get acquainted with pure tastes, and extraneous additives are useless.

In addition, mothers need to be guided by foods that are appropriate for the age of the child, do not cause allergies and are not difficult for him, and also be guided by what the family eats. If parents give the baby something that they themselves do not eat, then when switching to an adult table, he may refuse the usual family food, he will have to cook it separately. This will be a big problem.

- The child refuses the food prepared by the mother and does not eat anything. What to do in such a situation?

— The same food or dish can be offered to the child during the week. Food selectivity in children often depends on taste sensations, but a child may refuse to eat for other reasons, for example, when he is not hungry or would like to play instead of dinner. If during the week the child does not perceive the product that the mother offers, perhaps he still does not like it. In this case, the same product can be tried in the form of canned nutrition . Often, kids really refuse homemade puree, preferring the factory version. Again, mom can cook another product and give, for example, broccoli instead of zucchini, which the child will appreciate.

Fruit baby puree MAMAKO ® contains 20% goat curd. This food option is convenient at the stage of introducing children not only to fruits, but also to dairy products. It is the little ones who eat sweet, tasty foods well during the first feeding period and even when they get older - for dessert.

- Are the recipes for complementary foods from 6 months and those for 10 months different?

- For toddlers, there are no recipes or complex meals, because it is a simple food for discovering pure tastes without salt and spices, gradually getting used to the texture of the products. In the preparation of the first children's dishes, you can vary the combination of vegetables, focusing on the taste of the baby.

Recipes appear from the age of two or three with a full transition to the common table, when family preferences become more important. Of course, the baby needs to be introduced to products that are not consumed in the family, because there is a kindergarten and a school ahead. However, the basis of his diet should be food from the general household table . In addition, parents should be careful in cooking: do not overcook foods, do not add artificial ingredients, properly cool food so that homemade vegetable or fruit puree for the first feeding is healthy and safe for the baby.

- Is it possible to combine canned and homemade food and in what proportions?

— There are no strict rules: what is convenient for the family is chosen. For example, it is difficult to make meat puree at home, so sometimes parents add industrial meat supplements to homemade vegetable puree.

There is also no clear gradation in the percentage of different food options. In one plate, you can mix what you have prepared yourself with what you bought in the store. But at home it is not always possible to achieve the desired combinations and prepare, for example, a combined product that includes a variety of fruits and cottage cheese.

Choose a way of eating that is comfortable for your family. It is easier for someone to cook for their child on their own, for someone it is easier to buy ready-made mashed potatoes. Pediatricians often recommend mashed vegetables or fruits of industrial production, because when it is used for a child, the risk of undesirable consequences is much less.

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