As a certified breastfeeding counselor (CBC) there are times parents will ask general baby questions. They are likely to ask you about introducing solids.

As most baby food ads talk about its nutritious product, that is filled with vitamins and minerals, claiming a healthy start for a baby’s diet, they may ask you about which brands you suggest.

It’s important to remember your scope of practice. However, general infant nutrition knowledge is important.

With baby food being primarily fruit and vegetables, as well as some grains, most should be equivalent to homemade, right?

Some reviews over the year in the US, UK, and Australia suggest some commercial baby foods are not as healthy as their marketing claimed.

Some products contain ingredients which are not healthy for young babies such as added sugar. Other products contain highly processed vegetable oils which have little to no benefit.

Sadly, these reviews are not new. There was even a lawsuit filed against Heinz for misleading ads regarding their nutrition in toddler foods.

In addition to toddler foods, it does seem important to pay attention to baby food ingredients as well. Any major concerns your clients should run by their pediatrician or a nutritionist. However, you can provide general knowledge about baby food.

What Ingredients Are Being Found In Baby Food?

A 2015 review in the US found high sodium levels and added sugar in several commercial infant and toddler foods.

They looked at 79 mixed fruit and grain baby foods, and found 41 of those contained added sugar. Of those 41, they found 35 contained 35% or more of the total calories attributed to that added sugar.

The review found that 72% of the toddler dinners had high amounts of sodium. Around 32% of toddler marketed foods included added sugars.

There are some infant and toddlers foods which contain processed oils. Healthy fats are essential for early brain development. However, these highly processed forms are not the healthiest choice, especially for young infants.

Why Is The Nutrition Content Of Baby Food Important?

As a CBC, I am certain you are aware of why nutrition matters. But in terms of solids, how important is nutrition early on?

In the UK, researchers looked at commercial baby food purees targeted to the youngest of infants, just 4-6 months. It is not always about what is added, but rather what is not present in the food.

They found that while some of the purees had comparable calories, they lacked vitamins, minerals and protein one would find in breast milk or formula. Meaning they could be used as complementary foods but shouldn’t replace breast milk and formula in the first year of life.

As a CBC, you are likely aware that some families add in more solids around six months and might reduce breast milk intake.

Why is this a concern? Babies grow very quickly in the first year of life. Their brains are developing and a number of bodily systems are maturing. Beyond needing adequate calories, infants also need vitamins and minerals, and lots of protein for optimal brain development and overall growth.

Replacing breast milk or formula with commercial baby foods not containing enough nutrition could be potentially dangerous for their growth and development.

Researchers did find homemade versions of infant purees to be more nutrient dense. This is most likely due to less processing and no added sugar or commercial level sodium.

Is Added Sugar Concerning?

As a CBC, you might find many parents are stressed about getting their infant to take solids. And when it comes to toddlers, they can certainly go through picky phases.

Many commercial baby food makers are aware of the concerns parents have. Added sugar, and more fruit base than vegetable, makes it more likely an infant or toddler will down quite a bit of the food.

The problem with added sugar is that babies don’t need it. Calories from sugar can fill them up. This can end up replacing more nutrient dense sources such as breast milk or formula.

We are also seeing the effects of a few generations becoming heavy sugar consumers. Diabetes and obesity are at epidemic proportions, even among young children.

Exposing young infants to added sugar can create a strong preference for extra sweet items. While breast milk is sweet, it doesn’t have any of the negative effects as added sugar.

Will Babies Eat Solids Which Are Not Sweet?

The commercial baby food industry has definitely impacted what parents believe babies need.

During the first year of life, breast milk or formula is the best source of nutrition. Around 6 months, many infants develop interest in solid foods. While the interest is there, for most babies, this is just an early and gradual start to getting nutrition from solid foods.

Unlike the ads our clients may see, it is quite rare for babies to go from exclusively breastfeeding or bottle feeding, to suddenly enjoying three meals and a two snacks a day. When parents assume that is needed, they are likely to try even the sweetest items assuming their infant needs to consume plenty of solids.

As a CBC, you can talk to your clients about baby led weaning, gradual solids introduction, and other not stressing about the introduction of solids. While getting iron rich foods can be important for infants, commercial baby food is not always needed to achieve that.