Store brand baby food


Jars, Pouches, Organic, and More

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

After months of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it can be surprising to realize that your still-tiny baby is actually ready for “real” food. This exciting (albeit messy!) transition may be a little bittersweet and can feel overwhelming, especially considering the numerous baby food options available in 2022.

We’ve rounded up some of this year’s best baby foods to help you get started on the right foot — er, spoon.

Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first 6 months of life. Formula-fed infants are ready to start solid foods when they start showing signs that they’re ready.

In some cases, you may start solids around 4 or 5 months, but it’s best to discuss this with your pediatrician. If your doctor doesn’t have a different recommendation, most babies are ready to start soft or pureed foods by the time they’re about 6 months old.

If you’re picking commercially prepared baby food (versus making your own), it’s wise to start with simple, one-ingredient baby food. Most commercial baby food is labeled stage 1, 2, or 3 based on the texture and number of ingredients.

For instance, stage 1 baby food has the smoothest texture and typically has one ingredient, such as pureed pears. So, for your 4- to 6-month-old, you’ll want to start with stage 1 baby food.

Starting with one food at a time helps you monitor for any adverse reactions or food allergies. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends monitoring each food for 3 to 5 days.

There isn’t really a perfect first food — the choice is yours! Some good foods to start: infant cereal (preferably oat or whole grain), meat purees such as chicken or turkey, or single-ingredient purees of fruits or veggies.

If you’re debating whether to start with fruits or veggies first, the AAP suggests that an infant’s preferences for sweets won’t budge even if veggies are introduced first. Mashed peas just don’t taste as good once you’ve had applesauce.

We chatted with pediatricians, read the research, polled real-life parents, read reviews, and used our own babies as taste testers (although we can’t say their opinions on nutritional value are very authoritative) to bring you some of the top baby food brands available. In addition:

  • We looked for foods that are certified USDA organic and have non-GMO verified ingredients.
  • We focused on baby food that’s free of added sugar (but have called out one or two products that contain it).
  • The baby foods on our list are free of harmful preservatives.
  • We called out the brands that market their products as gluten-free and allergen-free.

All products are also vetted by our medical standards team, which evaluates brand integrity and product safety.

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Elements in Baby Foods

Three brands in this article — Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Happy Baby — were mentioned in a February 2021 Congressional Report for products containing significantly high levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The FDA has since launched the Closer to Zero: Action Plan for Baby Foods to address exposure to toxic elements from eating baby foods.

  • Best overall baby food: Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
  • Best organic baby food pouches: Plum Organics Stage 1
  • Best budget-friendly baby food: Gerber Organic 1st Foods
  • Best baby food for constipation: Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)
  • Best organic jarred baby food: Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1
  • Best personalized subscription service: Cerebelly
  • Best fresh baby food: Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food
  • Best first baby cereal: Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal
  • Best, most interesting baby food blends: Little Spoon Complex Solids
  • Best all-around clean baby food: Baby Gourmet

Best overall baby food

Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1

This affordable baby food is an all-around fan favorite. Beech-Nut baby foods come in recyclable glass jars and are available in both natural and organic varieties. Blends are available in every stage, from single-ingredient foods for brand-new eaters (like butternut squash and plum) to multi-food blends with chunkier textures for older babies.

The ingredients in Beech-Nut baby foods are simple, with no artificial additives. Plus, these little glass jars are available at most grocery stores, so they’re easy to find. However, while it’s great for recycling purposes, glass can be dangerous — always supervise your little one around glass.

Beech-Nut Naturals are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) but not certified organic (unless you shop their organics line). They contain no added sugar.

Shop now at Walmart

Best organic baby food pouches

Plum Organics Stage 1

If sustainability, organic foods, and non-GMO ingredients are important to you, Plum Organics has a great line of baby food options to try.

Their BPA-free pouches are super convenient and available in a variety of fruits, veggies, and grains for each stage of eating. These foods have no added salts or sugars, so they’re nutritious and simple for baby’s maturing digestive system. They’re also widely available and can be purchased in bulk for greater savings.

And while feeding experts definitely discourage using pouches exclusively, there’s no denying that pouches are very convenient for occasional on-the-go feedings. To make sure your baby is still progressing in their journey through solid foods, try squeezing the pouch contents into a spoon. And be sure to watch out for the small plastic caps, as they’re a choking hazard.

Plum Organics is certified organic and non-GMO, and their baby food doesn’t contain added sugar.

Shop now at Amazon

Best budget-friendly baby food

Gerber Organic 1st Foods

Gerber is the classic baby food brand, and they’ve made changes over the last few years to make their food more health-conscious (e. g., starting an organic line). Yet they have maintained their status as one of the most affordable prepared baby food brands on the market.

They offer benefits like glass jars, organic ingredients, and a wide variety of food choices at a lower cost than some other brands on our list.

Gerber Organic is USDA organic, non-GMO, and free of added sugar.

Shop now at Walmart

Best baby food for constipation

Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)

Sometimes babies get a little constipated when they’re beginning their solid food journey, especially if they’re eating a lot of dairy or iron-fortified cereal. In addition to continuing breast milk, some foods may help relieve your little one’s digestive discomfort, including all the “P” fruits.

So prunes, pears, plums, and peaches are some options to help keep tiny bowels on the move. You can find great fruit purees in any brand on our list, but one of the more cost-effective is the Gerber brand. The good news is that many babies love fruit, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your little one to down some prunes or pears.

This product is made with non-GMO ingredients and pears grown with Clean Field Farming practices. It doesn’t contain added sugars.

Shop now at Walmart

Best organic jarred baby food

Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1

Another great organic baby food option, the Happy Baby company offers their organic baby food jars at most stores — although not quite as widely as Beech-Nut and Plum Organics.

Happy Baby jars offer a wide variety of foods, from kale and mango to spinach and peaches and chia seeds. You can start with their single-ingredient jars (this is important for ruling out allergies, as well as to help baby learn to like spinach even when it’s not disguised by pears). Then, you can move on to their fruit and veggie blends as your little one grows.

High quality ingredients, creative flavors, and no artificial ingredients all make Happy Baby a solid (no pun intended) choice.

Happy Baby is USDA organic and doesn’t contain added sugars.

Shop now at Walmart

Best personalized subscription service

Cerebelly

Cerebelly allows you to personalize your subscription of baby food pouches based on your child’s age, leaning on science to determine what foods will benefit them at their stage of development.

You’ll take a quiz that asks about the current development and language cues your baby is showing (responding to their name, grasping toys, using noises to show emotion, etc.). It also asks about motor, social, and visual skills.

The results will clue you in on key nutrients that may benefit your little one and customize your baby food pouches based on this.

To boot, the brand has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award (which evaluates products for toxins and contaminants), is certified USDA organic, and contains no added sugars.

Shop now at Cerebelly

Best fresh baby food

Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food

These organic, cold-pressed baby food pouches and cups are found in the refrigerated section at your grocery store (and yes, they have to be refrigerated at home). The company also has a subscription delivery option to make baby food even more convenient for your busy schedule.

Creative names like Wild Rumpus Avocado and Magic Velvet Mango will have you smiling, and the variety of flavors will (hopefully!) appeal to your little one. Once Upon a Farm offers a variety of food stages, so you can start with their purees and move on up to their finger and toddler foods as your baby grows.

Once Upon a Farm is certified organic and non-GMO. Their products contain no added sugars and are Clean Label Project certified.

Shop now at Target

Best first baby cereal

Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal

This simple cereal is a great first food for baby. You can mix this one-ingredient whole grain cereal with breast milk, formula, or water to provide your little one with some crucial nutrients (such as iron) and experience with spoons and textures.

The AAP recommends oatmeal or multigrain cereals over rice cereals, as they have a lower risk of exposure to chemicals such as arsenic (which is sometimes a concern with rice products).

As your baby gets used to other foods, you can also mix this cereal with fruit or yogurt to provide a heartier meal.

Gerber Organic is certified USDA organic and non-GMO, but this product does contain some added sugars.

Shop now at Walmart

Best, most interesting baby food blends

Little Spoon Complex Solids

Once your baby is ready for more advanced blends, Little Spoon has a unique line of complex blends that contain multiple purees as well as other seeds and grains for texture.

For example, one blend contains quinoa, butternut squash, and apple. Another contains kale, white bean, pear, basil, quinoa, and avocado oil.

Little Spoon purees use certified organic and non-GMO ingredients. They’re free of added sugar.

Shop now at Little Spoon

Best all-around clean baby food

Baby Gourmet

Baby Gourmet is another Clean Label Project Purity Award winner, which means they go above and beyond to ensure their baby food is free of harmful toxins that naturally occur in the environment.

This Canadian company is also set to donate 1 million meals to vulnerable populations by 2025. It’s founded and run by moms, which can be reassuring.

Baby Gourmet is certified organic and non-GMO by both U.S. and Canadian standards. All packaging is BPA-free. Products contain no added sugar.

Shop now at Baby Gourmet

As a general guideline, it’s a good idea to start with iron-fortified baby cereals or pureed meats if your infant is breastfed. Breastfed babies are more likely to need extra iron than formula-fed babies.

It’s also advisable to start with simple, single-ingredient purees of meat, vegetables, and fruits.

Choosing brands that are certified organic, use BPA-free materials, and are conscious of using whole food ingredients (e.g., they don’t add “extras” like salt, sugar, or corn syrup) helps ensure a healthy start for your little one.

According to the AAP, you shouldn’t give babies under age 1 cow’s milk, honey, unpasteurized dairy, or undercooked meat, as these can be an infection risk for a baby’s developing immune system.

You’ll also want to avoid foods that are hard or sharp or present a choking risk (for instance, chips, nuts, popcorn, raisins, raw apples, raw carrots, whole grapes, hot dogs). For a more comprehensive guide to which foods to give and what to avoid, check out our article on infant nutrition and starting solids.

While experts used to advise waiting to introduce highly allergenic foods (such as dairy, wheat, nuts, and eggs) until after the first year, the experts now say that delayed introduction of these foods may increase a child’s risk of food allergies. So, with the guidance of your pediatrician, go ahead and introduce those foods within the first year.

Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you notice swelling of the tongue and mouth, wheezing, or trouble breathing after your child eats certain foods

Some babies are raring to go when it comes to trying food, while others may take a little more convincing. Either way, definitely get your camera on video mode, as there are bound to be some hilarious faces and some impressive food spillage along the way.

Here are some pro tips to help make the process as smooth as possible:

  • Wait until your baby shows signs of readiness for solid food.
  • Keep trying. It can take 5 to 10 exposures for a baby to accept a new food.
  • Make it fun and silly.
  • Cook and eat as a family as much as possible.
  • Let your baby play with the spoon and even the food! While incredibly messy, this helps them get comfortable with the textures, smells, and tastes of new foods.
  • Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns. They’re a great resource and want to help you grow a happy, healthy baby.

What’s the best baby food for growth and weight gain?

If your baby is under 6 months and breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you stick to that exclusively for 6 months. When you’re ready to introduce solids after 6 months, it should be in addition to breastfeeding and formula, not as a replacement.

If your baby is formula-fed, they may begin eating solids sooner than 6 months. While no one specific food is recommended, a variety of foods and colors is best, including meats, vegetables, and fruits. One of the key foods that can help with growth and weight gain is avocados (high in healthy fats and fiber but low in sugar).

Always discuss your baby’s dietary changes with your pediatrician and attend regular checkups to monitor growth.

What’s the easiest food for babies to digest?

Just like adults, babies do best with regular bowel movements. If they’re having a hard time with this, oatmeal is one food known to be easy to digest and promote regularity, as it contains higher amounts of dietary fiber.

It may also help to focus on quantity. Try feeding your baby smaller meals more often, rather than fewer larger meals. This may be easier on their system and allow them to digest foods more easily.

What’s the best baby food to start with?

Mashed banana and avocado are some of the most popular solids to start with. Soft, ground oatmeal is also great. When it comes to fruit and vegetable purees, focus on variety, but don’t overdo it with those that are naturally high in sugar (such as berry purees).

Most importantly, at 6 months old, all foods should still be pureed and cooked. Once your baby is 9 months old and older, you can start to introduce vegetables cut into pieces. The only other no-no is honey, which they shouldn’t have until they’re over a year old.

It can feel like a lot of pressure to choose the best nutrition for your child, especially when trying to capitalize on the years before they start demanding chicken nuggets and ice cream. But there are a lot of great, healthy options available in 2022.

Whether you choose to make your own baby food, buy jars or pouches, or use a baby food subscription service, there are a number of resources to help you feed your baby.

Jars, Pouches, Organic, and More

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

After months of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it can be surprising to realize that your still-tiny baby is actually ready for “real” food. This exciting (albeit messy!) transition may be a little bittersweet and can feel overwhelming, especially considering the numerous baby food options available in 2022.

We’ve rounded up some of this year’s best baby foods to help you get started on the right foot — er, spoon.

Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first 6 months of life. Formula-fed infants are ready to start solid foods when they start showing signs that they’re ready.

In some cases, you may start solids around 4 or 5 months, but it’s best to discuss this with your pediatrician. If your doctor doesn’t have a different recommendation, most babies are ready to start soft or pureed foods by the time they’re about 6 months old.

If you’re picking commercially prepared baby food (versus making your own), it’s wise to start with simple, one-ingredient baby food. Most commercial baby food is labeled stage 1, 2, or 3 based on the texture and number of ingredients.

For instance, stage 1 baby food has the smoothest texture and typically has one ingredient, such as pureed pears. So, for your 4- to 6-month-old, you’ll want to start with stage 1 baby food.

Starting with one food at a time helps you monitor for any adverse reactions or food allergies. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends monitoring each food for 3 to 5 days.

There isn’t really a perfect first food — the choice is yours! Some good foods to start: infant cereal (preferably oat or whole grain), meat purees such as chicken or turkey, or single-ingredient purees of fruits or veggies.

If you’re debating whether to start with fruits or veggies first, the AAP suggests that an infant’s preferences for sweets won’t budge even if veggies are introduced first. Mashed peas just don’t taste as good once you’ve had applesauce.

We chatted with pediatricians, read the research, polled real-life parents, read reviews, and used our own babies as taste testers (although we can’t say their opinions on nutritional value are very authoritative) to bring you some of the top baby food brands available. In addition:

  • We looked for foods that are certified USDA organic and have non-GMO verified ingredients.
  • We focused on baby food that’s free of added sugar (but have called out one or two products that contain it).
  • The baby foods on our list are free of harmful preservatives.
  • We called out the brands that market their products as gluten-free and allergen-free.

All products are also vetted by our medical standards team, which evaluates brand integrity and product safety.

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Elements in Baby Foods

Three brands in this article — Gerber, Beech-Nut, and Happy Baby — were mentioned in a February 2021 Congressional Report for products containing significantly high levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The FDA has since launched the Closer to Zero: Action Plan for Baby Foods to address exposure to toxic elements from eating baby foods.

  • Best overall baby food: Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1
  • Best organic baby food pouches: Plum Organics Stage 1
  • Best budget-friendly baby food: Gerber Organic 1st Foods
  • Best baby food for constipation: Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)
  • Best organic jarred baby food: Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1
  • Best personalized subscription service: Cerebelly
  • Best fresh baby food: Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food
  • Best first baby cereal: Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal
  • Best, most interesting baby food blends: Little Spoon Complex Solids
  • Best all-around clean baby food: Baby Gourmet

Best overall baby food

Beech-Nut Naturals Stage 1

This affordable baby food is an all-around fan favorite. Beech-Nut baby foods come in recyclable glass jars and are available in both natural and organic varieties. Blends are available in every stage, from single-ingredient foods for brand-new eaters (like butternut squash and plum) to multi-food blends with chunkier textures for older babies.

The ingredients in Beech-Nut baby foods are simple, with no artificial additives. Plus, these little glass jars are available at most grocery stores, so they’re easy to find. However, while it’s great for recycling purposes, glass can be dangerous — always supervise your little one around glass.

Beech-Nut Naturals are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) but not certified organic (unless you shop their organics line). They contain no added sugar.

Shop now at Walmart

Best organic baby food pouches

Plum Organics Stage 1

If sustainability, organic foods, and non-GMO ingredients are important to you, Plum Organics has a great line of baby food options to try.

Their BPA-free pouches are super convenient and available in a variety of fruits, veggies, and grains for each stage of eating. These foods have no added salts or sugars, so they’re nutritious and simple for baby’s maturing digestive system. They’re also widely available and can be purchased in bulk for greater savings.

And while feeding experts definitely discourage using pouches exclusively, there’s no denying that pouches are very convenient for occasional on-the-go feedings. To make sure your baby is still progressing in their journey through solid foods, try squeezing the pouch contents into a spoon. And be sure to watch out for the small plastic caps, as they’re a choking hazard.

Plum Organics is certified organic and non-GMO, and their baby food doesn’t contain added sugar.

Shop now at Amazon

Best budget-friendly baby food

Gerber Organic 1st Foods

Gerber is the classic baby food brand, and they’ve made changes over the last few years to make their food more health-conscious (e. g., starting an organic line). Yet they have maintained their status as one of the most affordable prepared baby food brands on the market.

They offer benefits like glass jars, organic ingredients, and a wide variety of food choices at a lower cost than some other brands on our list.

Gerber Organic is USDA organic, non-GMO, and free of added sugar.

Shop now at Walmart

Best baby food for constipation

Gerber Natural 1st Foods (Pear)

Sometimes babies get a little constipated when they’re beginning their solid food journey, especially if they’re eating a lot of dairy or iron-fortified cereal. In addition to continuing breast milk, some foods may help relieve your little one’s digestive discomfort, including all the “P” fruits.

So prunes, pears, plums, and peaches are some options to help keep tiny bowels on the move. You can find great fruit purees in any brand on our list, but one of the more cost-effective is the Gerber brand. The good news is that many babies love fruit, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your little one to down some prunes or pears.

This product is made with non-GMO ingredients and pears grown with Clean Field Farming practices. It doesn’t contain added sugars.

Shop now at Walmart

Best organic jarred baby food

Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Stage 1

Another great organic baby food option, the Happy Baby company offers their organic baby food jars at most stores — although not quite as widely as Beech-Nut and Plum Organics.

Happy Baby jars offer a wide variety of foods, from kale and mango to spinach and peaches and chia seeds. You can start with their single-ingredient jars (this is important for ruling out allergies, as well as to help baby learn to like spinach even when it’s not disguised by pears). Then, you can move on to their fruit and veggie blends as your little one grows.

High quality ingredients, creative flavors, and no artificial ingredients all make Happy Baby a solid (no pun intended) choice.

Happy Baby is USDA organic and doesn’t contain added sugars.

Shop now at Walmart

Best personalized subscription service

Cerebelly

Cerebelly allows you to personalize your subscription of baby food pouches based on your child’s age, leaning on science to determine what foods will benefit them at their stage of development.

You’ll take a quiz that asks about the current development and language cues your baby is showing (responding to their name, grasping toys, using noises to show emotion, etc.). It also asks about motor, social, and visual skills.

The results will clue you in on key nutrients that may benefit your little one and customize your baby food pouches based on this.

To boot, the brand has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award (which evaluates products for toxins and contaminants), is certified USDA organic, and contains no added sugars.

Shop now at Cerebelly

Best fresh baby food

Once Upon a Farm Cold-Pressed Organic Baby Food

These organic, cold-pressed baby food pouches and cups are found in the refrigerated section at your grocery store (and yes, they have to be refrigerated at home). The company also has a subscription delivery option to make baby food even more convenient for your busy schedule.

Creative names like Wild Rumpus Avocado and Magic Velvet Mango will have you smiling, and the variety of flavors will (hopefully!) appeal to your little one. Once Upon a Farm offers a variety of food stages, so you can start with their purees and move on up to their finger and toddler foods as your baby grows.

Once Upon a Farm is certified organic and non-GMO. Their products contain no added sugars and are Clean Label Project certified.

Shop now at Target

Best first baby cereal

Gerber Organic 1st Foods Single Grain Cereal

This simple cereal is a great first food for baby. You can mix this one-ingredient whole grain cereal with breast milk, formula, or water to provide your little one with some crucial nutrients (such as iron) and experience with spoons and textures.

The AAP recommends oatmeal or multigrain cereals over rice cereals, as they have a lower risk of exposure to chemicals such as arsenic (which is sometimes a concern with rice products).

As your baby gets used to other foods, you can also mix this cereal with fruit or yogurt to provide a heartier meal.

Gerber Organic is certified USDA organic and non-GMO, but this product does contain some added sugars.

Shop now at Walmart

Best, most interesting baby food blends

Little Spoon Complex Solids

Once your baby is ready for more advanced blends, Little Spoon has a unique line of complex blends that contain multiple purees as well as other seeds and grains for texture.

For example, one blend contains quinoa, butternut squash, and apple. Another contains kale, white bean, pear, basil, quinoa, and avocado oil.

Little Spoon purees use certified organic and non-GMO ingredients. They’re free of added sugar.

Shop now at Little Spoon

Best all-around clean baby food

Baby Gourmet

Baby Gourmet is another Clean Label Project Purity Award winner, which means they go above and beyond to ensure their baby food is free of harmful toxins that naturally occur in the environment.

This Canadian company is also set to donate 1 million meals to vulnerable populations by 2025. It’s founded and run by moms, which can be reassuring.

Baby Gourmet is certified organic and non-GMO by both U.S. and Canadian standards. All packaging is BPA-free. Products contain no added sugar.

Shop now at Baby Gourmet

As a general guideline, it’s a good idea to start with iron-fortified baby cereals or pureed meats if your infant is breastfed. Breastfed babies are more likely to need extra iron than formula-fed babies.

It’s also advisable to start with simple, single-ingredient purees of meat, vegetables, and fruits.

Choosing brands that are certified organic, use BPA-free materials, and are conscious of using whole food ingredients (e.g., they don’t add “extras” like salt, sugar, or corn syrup) helps ensure a healthy start for your little one.

According to the AAP, you shouldn’t give babies under age 1 cow’s milk, honey, unpasteurized dairy, or undercooked meat, as these can be an infection risk for a baby’s developing immune system.

You’ll also want to avoid foods that are hard or sharp or present a choking risk (for instance, chips, nuts, popcorn, raisins, raw apples, raw carrots, whole grapes, hot dogs). For a more comprehensive guide to which foods to give and what to avoid, check out our article on infant nutrition and starting solids.

While experts used to advise waiting to introduce highly allergenic foods (such as dairy, wheat, nuts, and eggs) until after the first year, the experts now say that delayed introduction of these foods may increase a child’s risk of food allergies. So, with the guidance of your pediatrician, go ahead and introduce those foods within the first year.

Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you notice swelling of the tongue and mouth, wheezing, or trouble breathing after your child eats certain foods

Some babies are raring to go when it comes to trying food, while others may take a little more convincing. Either way, definitely get your camera on video mode, as there are bound to be some hilarious faces and some impressive food spillage along the way.

Here are some pro tips to help make the process as smooth as possible:

  • Wait until your baby shows signs of readiness for solid food.
  • Keep trying. It can take 5 to 10 exposures for a baby to accept a new food.
  • Make it fun and silly.
  • Cook and eat as a family as much as possible.
  • Let your baby play with the spoon and even the food! While incredibly messy, this helps them get comfortable with the textures, smells, and tastes of new foods.
  • Talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns. They’re a great resource and want to help you grow a happy, healthy baby.

What’s the best baby food for growth and weight gain?

If your baby is under 6 months and breastfeeding, it’s recommended that you stick to that exclusively for 6 months. When you’re ready to introduce solids after 6 months, it should be in addition to breastfeeding and formula, not as a replacement.

If your baby is formula-fed, they may begin eating solids sooner than 6 months. While no one specific food is recommended, a variety of foods and colors is best, including meats, vegetables, and fruits. One of the key foods that can help with growth and weight gain is avocados (high in healthy fats and fiber but low in sugar).

Always discuss your baby’s dietary changes with your pediatrician and attend regular checkups to monitor growth.

What’s the easiest food for babies to digest?

Just like adults, babies do best with regular bowel movements. If they’re having a hard time with this, oatmeal is one food known to be easy to digest and promote regularity, as it contains higher amounts of dietary fiber.

It may also help to focus on quantity. Try feeding your baby smaller meals more often, rather than fewer larger meals. This may be easier on their system and allow them to digest foods more easily.

What’s the best baby food to start with?

Mashed banana and avocado are some of the most popular solids to start with. Soft, ground oatmeal is also great. When it comes to fruit and vegetable purees, focus on variety, but don’t overdo it with those that are naturally high in sugar (such as berry purees).

Most importantly, at 6 months old, all foods should still be pureed and cooked. Once your baby is 9 months old and older, you can start to introduce vegetables cut into pieces. The only other no-no is honey, which they shouldn’t have until they’re over a year old.

It can feel like a lot of pressure to choose the best nutrition for your child, especially when trying to capitalize on the years before they start demanding chicken nuggets and ice cream. But there are a lot of great, healthy options available in 2022.

Whether you choose to make your own baby food, buy jars or pouches, or use a baby food subscription service, there are a number of resources to help you feed your baby.

Eight trusted baby food manufacturers

Baby food is a product that buyers treat with special attention, choosing not only by price, but also by brand, their confidence in it.

First, let's look at the assortment of baby food. On the shelves of the store you can see such products for babies as:

  • milk formula - an alternative to breast milk
  • puree in jars - vegetable, fruit or meat
  • baby cereals
  • juices, fruit drinks and nectars

Every parent wants their child to eat healthy and high-quality products, without harmful additives and with the maximum amount of useful ones. Such products are produced by several well-known brands,

8. Agusha

This brand has shown the world a wide range of products for baby nutrition:

  • "The first spoon" - dairy, meat, fruit products and water, which are suitable for the first feeding. nine0010
  • "Agusha" - a brand that is recommended for use by children from 6 months of age.
  • "I myself" - designed for children from 2.5 years.

Advantages of the brand in an affordable price, a wide range and a breakdown by age, starting with the youngest.

Cons - the composition does not always do without unhealthy additives.

7. Heinz

Heinz is an American baby food brand. Their strong point is porridge, here they have a wide range. In general, their choice of dishes for grown-up children is very decent, but for the smallest it is not rich, they do not produce products for newborns. nine0003

Pros of Heinz - assortment, price and mostly good composition.

Cons - no food for newborns.

6. Nutricia

Nutricia (Netherlands) is a manufacturer that has focused on infant formula.

Their line is represented by mixtures: "Baby", "Baby", "Nutrilon".

Pros:

  • A wide range of formulas for all tastes, for children with different needs, for all budgets. nine0010
  • Good composition
  • The ability to keep breastfeeding while supplementing with formula, the formula will not cause the baby to refuse the breast.

Cons: not noticed

5. Fruto Nyanya

A Russian company that deservedly fell in love with compatriots. They have everything – cereals, juices, purees, treats…

Pros:

  • Variety of flavors and products
  • Price
  • Children enjoy eating the products of this brand. nine0010

Cons: not noticed

4. Semper

Swedish premium brand, which includes such advantages as:

  • A wide range, including for newborns and children with special needs.
  • European quality
  • There is food for older children, complex meals

But there were some drawbacks. Not always an ideal composition and, nevertheless, a high price compared to competitors. nine0003

3. Hipp

A German company that also produces a wide range of products and has firmly established itself in the market by finding its buyer.

Pros:

  • Assortment for all ages
  • Complex dishes
  • Delicious foods

Among the shortcomings, we note that this brand is often complained of due to the appearance of unpleasant gastroenterological phenomena in children after taking Hipp nutrition. And the products of this company are also more expensive than many competitors. nine0003

2. Humana

Another German brand, but this time paying special attention to its products. Humana is chosen for its qualities, for a special composition as close as possible to breast milk.

Pros:

  • The company produces not only general children's food, but also medical food for premature babies and those with intolerance to cow's milk.
  • Ideal composition
  • Wide range
  • nine0009 Proximity to breast milk
  • Positive feedback

Among the shortcomings can be noted the price

1. Gerber

A recognized leader in the industry. Gerber is produced by Nestle, for many this is already a guarantee of quality.

For everyone else, here are some more advantages:

  • Special control at all stages of production
  • Excellent composition
  • Nutrition for every age
  • nine0017

    And, yes, the disadvantage here is the same as the previous one - the price. You have to pay for quality.

    This rating is based on an analysis of the composition of baby food, taking into account the numerous reviews of parents. When choosing food for your child, approach this issue responsibly, because it lays the foundation for his future success.

    17/04/2020

    Children's food station Saransk

    Welcome!

    Over the past few years, fermented milk products containing lactic acid and bifidobacteria have gained incredible popularity. They are considered as the basis of a healthy human diet, contributing to maintaining health, preventing a number of diseases and increasing life expectancy. nine0003

    Baby food is the most important purchase for a child under one year of age and older. The health of the baby depends on how well the nutrition is chosen for the baby. Our baby milk food has a short shelf life, which confirms the absence of preservatives and stabilizers in its composition.

    Healthy baby nutrition is the key to a healthy future!

    History of the enterprise

    The municipal enterprise of the city district of Saransk "Children's Food Station" is the only enterprise in the Republic of Mordovia that produces dairy products for infants. nine0003

    The half-century history of the Children's Food Station in Saransk dates back to the opening of the Children's Dairy Kitchen on May 10, 1971 on A. Nevsky Street, at the Children's Polyclinic No. 2. The dairy kitchen began its activities with the production of lactic acid colibacterin (the first domestic bacterial preparation) and lactobacterin (based on lactobacilli of the plantarum species, which, like bifidobacteria, have an antagonistic effect against pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms). These products were supplied to kindergartens and schools. nine0003

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    • Dairy products for feeding
      young children
    • Dairy products for
      adult groups
    • Acidolact with prebiotic (inulin)

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      Acidolact with prebiotic (inulin)

      Fermented milk product, intended for nutrition of young children from 8 months.

      Composition:

      • normalized milk
      • inulin
      • lactic culture starter

      More details

    • Fermented milk bioproduct "Bifilife"

      More details

      Fermented milk bioproduct "Bifilife"

      The product is intended for nutrition of young children (from 8 months) and older, as well as dietary (therapeutic and prophylactic) nutrition, including as part of therapeutic diets.

      Composition:

      • normalized milk
      • starter (lactic acid microorganisms, bifidobacteria baconconcentrate)

      More details

    • Bifilin - D (lacto) sweet

      More

      Bifilin - D (lacto) sweet

      This is a probiotic product, as it contains acidophilus bacillus, thermophilic streptococcus and bifidobacteria.

      Composition:

      • standardized milk
      • sugar
      • lactic acid starter cultures
      • bifidobacteria

      More details

    • Lact-Elite Child

      More

      Lact-Elite Child

      The fermented milk product is intended for nutrition of young children from 8 months.

      Composition:

      • normalized milk
      • premix (calcium, D3)
      • starter cultures of lactic acid cultures
      • propionic acid bacteria
      • bifidobacteria

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    • Baby-Bio

      More details

      Baby-Bio

      Malyshok-Bio is enriched with a complex of essential vitamins, taking into account the physiological needs of children.

      Composition:

      • normalized milk
      • mineral premix (zinc, iron)
      • vitamin premix (A, E, B1, B6, folic acid, PP, C)
      • starter cultures of lactic acid cultures, bifidobacteria

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    • Drinking milk "Baby"

      More details

      Drinking milk "Baby"

      Milk is a very useful product for a developing child's body.

      Composition:

      • normalized milk
      • vitamin premix (A, E, D3, B6).
      • mineral premix (zinc, copper, manganese)

      More details

    • Children's cottage cheese

      More

      Children's cottage cheese

      Cottage cheese is a complete source of protein that is easily digestible and usually does not cause allergic reactions.

      Composition:

      • standardized milk
      • lactic acid culture starter

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    • Curd with fruit and berries

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      Curd with fruit and berries

      In the production of cottage cheese, only natural fruit and berry fillers are used, which are obtained from environmentally friendly, fresh berries and fruits.

      Ingredients:

      • standardized milk
      • fruit and berry filler
      • lactic acid culture starter

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    • Yoghurts

      More details

      Yoghurts

      This is one of the ideal products that combines both taste and benefits. nine0003

      Composition:

      • Milk normalized
      • Fruit-berry filler
      • Dry degree milk
      • premix Vitamin (A, E, D 3 , in 6 )
      • 9000 9000

        3

      • Bifilife 500g

        Read more

        Bifilife 500g.

        The product is recommended as a dietary (therapeutic and preventive) nutrition for various diseases: intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal infections of viral and bacterial etiology, viral hepatitis, gastrointestinal dysfunction. nine0003

        Composition:

        • normalized milk
        • starter culture

        Read more

      • Fermented milk bioproduct "Bifilife" with cherry

        More

        Fermented milk bioproduct "Bifilife" with cherry

        The product has a probiotic effect on the body. The benefit of the product lies in the fact that in its composition "Bifilife" contains 5 of the most studied and useful strains of bifidobacteria.

        Ingredients:

        • whole milk
        • fruit and berry filler "Cherry"
        • starter culture (lactic acid microorganisms - bifidobacteria concentrate)

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      • Pasteurized drinking milk

        More details

        Pasteurized drinking milk

        The main beneficial properties of milk are due to the content of a wide range of valuable nutrients: proteins (including essential amino acids), fats, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamins (D, B2, B12, A). nine0003

        Composition:

        Read more

      • Ryazhenka

        More details

        Ryazhenka

        The product is recommended as a dietary (therapeutic and preventive) nutrition for various diseases: intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal infections of viral and bacterial etiology, viral hepatitis, gastrointestinal dysfunction.

        Composition:

        • baked milk
        • lactic culture starter

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      • Curd 12-15% and 5%

        More details

        Curd 12-15% and 5%

        Cottage cheese is a healthy product rich in vitamins, essential amino acids and other nutrients necessary for the human body and maintaining the normal functioning of all vital systems.

        Composition:

        • whole milk
        • lactic culture starter

        More

      • Beeflife with grapefruit and strawberries

        Learn more

        Beeflife with grapefruit and strawberries

        The product has a probiotic effect on the body. The benefit of the product lies in the fact that in its composition "Bifilife" contains 5 of the most studied and useful strains of bifidobacteria

        Composition:

        • whole milk
        • grapefruit and strawberry filling
        • starter culture (lactic acid microorganisms, bifidobacteria concentrate)

        More details

      • Bifilife with red grapes and flax seeds

        More details

        Bifilife with red grapes and flax seeds

        The product has a probiotic effect on the body.

        Composition:

        • Whole milk
        • fruit and berry filler "Red grapes and flax seeds"
        • starter culture (lactic acid microorganisms, bifidobacteria baconconcentrate)

        Read more

      • Smetana

        More

        Smetana

        Sour cream is one of the best traditional products. Without it, it is difficult to imagine many favorite dishes of Russian cuisine. It is based on natural cream with high nutritional value and specially selected starter cultures.

        Composition:

        Read more

      nine0566 Distribution points and company stores

      products sold at manufacturer's prices

      Distribution point No. 1

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. Polezhaeva, 159 "b", tel. 8 (8342) 47-07-99.

      Working hours: from 8:00 to 18:00 Daily

      Distribution point No. 2

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. Popova, 69tel. 8 (8342) 35-32-45.

      Working hours: from 8:00 to 18:00 Daily

      Distribution point No. 3

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. pr.60 let Oktyabrya, 33 tel. 8 (8342) 73-07-10.

      Working hours: from 8:00 to 18:00 Daily

      Distribution point No. 4

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. pr.70 years of October, 79bldg. 1 tel. 8 (8342) 56-50-86.

      Working hours: from 8:00 to 18:00 Daily

      Distribution point No. 5

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: Ruzaevka, Gorshkov Boulevard 12, Severny Market

      tel. 8 927 170-88-37.

      Working hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 Daily

      Point of branded trade №1

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station" nine0003

      Address: Polezhaeva, 57 (Central Market Row 17, location 3A)

      Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 Mon-Sun

      Company trade point No. 2

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. Mironova, 1A (Pavilion 59, Danko River)

      Working hours from 8:00 to 18:45 Daily

      Point of branded trade No. 3

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. Kosareva, 50 (Zarechny market, pavilion No. 193)

      Opening hours from 8:00 to 18:45 Daily

      Branded trade point No. 4

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: st. Veselovsky, 62A (pavilion 40/2)

      Opening hours: from 8:00 to 18:00 Daily

      Point of branded trade No. 5

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station" nine0003

      Address: st. Volgogradskaya, 79 (entrance opposite the kindergarten)

      Opening hours: from 11:00 to 19:00 Mon-Fri, from 9:00 to 19:00 Sat-Sun

      Point of branded trade No. 6

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: Kirov, 63 (Pavilion 47)

      Opening hours: 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Daily

      Company trade point No. 7

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station" nine0003

      Address: Komarova, 2B, building 1 (pavilion 24)

      Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 Mon-Fri, from 9:00 to 17:00 Sat-Sun

      Company trade point No. 8

      MP of the urban district of Saransk "Children's food station"

      Address: TC Klever, pos. Remzavod, st. Rabochaya 14a, pavilion N 16

      Working hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 Mon-Fri, from 9:00 to 17:00 Sat-Sun

      Company trade point No. station" nine0003

      Address: Saransk, Kosareva st., 112

      Working hours: daily from 09:00 to 20:00 without breaks and days off

      Address: pos. Yalga, st. Pionerskaya, 39/1, room 7

      Opening hours: daily from 09. 00 to 20.00 without breaks and days off

      Our leadership

      • Director Kireev Sergey Vasilyevich
        tel. 8 (8342) 47-28-98
      • Deputy Director, Lychagina Valentina Nikolaevna
        tel. 8 (8342) 47-28-98
      • Head of the production laboratory Candidate of Sciences, Sobachenkova Irina Ivanovna
        tel. 8 (8342) 47-07-99
      • Chief Accountant, Balyasova Natalya Stanislavovna
        tel. 8 (8342) 47-28-98
      • Chief engineer, Korochkin Sergey Vladimirovich
        tel. 8 (8342) 47-07-99
      • Sales department tel. 8 (8342) 24-23-27

      our employees

      • Head of Sales Department, Ilyin Andrey Viktorovich tel. 8 (8342) 24-23-27
      • Head of Marketing Department, Taraskin Vladislav Nikolayevich tel. 8 (8342) 24-23-27
      • Senior technologist, Shafieva Ramilya Aiseevna tel. 8 (8342) 47-07-99
      • Leading economist, Gorbyleva Elena Nikolaevna tel. 8 (8342) 24-25-51
      • Purchasing Specialist, Kondratova Elena Sergeevna tel. 8 (8342) 24-25-51
      • nine0695 Chief Legal Counsel, Zaichikova Anna Yurievna tel. 8 (8342) 24-25-51

      Benefits

      high quality

      Mothers and their babies appreciate our products for their delicate taste, environmental friendliness and healthy living bifidobacteria

      Modernization of the
      enterprise

      Modern high-tech equipment

      10/12/2022

      New! Curd pasta with orange flavored with caramel, 120 g, fat. 4.5%

      Read more

      09/08/2022

      New! Curd paste with sugar and vanillin, 120 g, fat. 4.5%

      Read more

      06/09/2022

      New! Butter traditional sweet cream, 300 g, fat. 82.5%

      Read more

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      Reviews about us

      are taken from the official group in VKontakte vk.com/mpdpssaransk

      Serezha Alexandrovich

      Very good product! The best in Saransk! Your cottage cheese is a dream!!!

      Irina Volodina

      Well done! I have two children who grew up on your products and still buy them every day. Incredible yummy!!!!!! nine0003

      Elena Morozova

      All products are just class, thank you very much for natural products for our children!

      Anna Fadeikina

      The most delicious cottage cheese! Only now we buy it)

      Svetlana Kurnosova

      Wonderful product. Curd is delicious.


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