Baby's Table

Foreword As a general consultant pediatrician, I've been fielding questions for years from new parents about what (and how) to feed their children. When I first started my practice, I am embarrassed to say, many of these questions truly stumped me: When can I stop warming up the bottle? When can I give the baby eggs? Juice? Yogurt? It wasn't until I had children of my own that I realized how much there truly is to learn about the care and feeding of babies. And, alas, knowing how and what to feed a baby and putting it into practice are two different things. The Baby's Table is full of delicious ideas and recipes. While some of the recipes may sound intimidating to the sleep-deprived new parent (Gourmet Tuna Melts or Salmon and Vegetables with Creamy Dill Sauce), they are all surprisingly simple and quick to prepare. When Mom and Dad are craving their favorite spicy takeout, having some of the dishes frozen in bulk to feed baby is a great option. This book part recipe book, part everything-you-need-to-know-to-feed-a-baby answers all the feeding and nutrition questions I tried to answer in my early years as a pediatrician as well as the questions I had when I was figuring it out for myself as a new parent. The dishes are truly great-tasting as well as nutritious and safe. They focus on unprocessed, unsweetened and unsalted whole foods. Finally! A book that I will be happy to recommend to new parents, to help them feed their baby for those crucial first years. Cheryl L. Mutch M.D., C.M., F.R.C.P(C.) Pediatrician, Burnaby, B.C., Canada Introduction If you're like many new parents, you may find the prospect of making your own baby food a daunting one. You're no Naked Chef; baby's keeping you busy (and tired) and besides, how would you know that what you're feeding your infant is safe and supplies the nutrients needed for healthy development? It's easier than you think. And The Baby's Table, filled with important nutritional information and cooking tips and more than 100 simple and tasty recipes, can show you how. There are helpful hints on dealing with behavioral issues such as feeding problems, and strategies for making healthy eating a pleasurable experience for you as well as for your baby. More and more parents today are seeing the advantages of preparing homemade baby food. It's nutritional, economical and takes far less time than you think. All you need is a steamer basket, a blender or food processor, a small double-boiler, ice cube trays and a freezer. In an afternoon during one of baby's naptimes you can whip up and freeze an entire month's supply of meals rich in essential nutrients. Your baby's nutrition is of critical importance for physical and intellectual growth and development and has lasting implications for his or her future. Using the tips, recipes and meal plans provided in The Baby's Table, you can create your own baby-pleasing fare that offers nutritional advantages not found in commercial brands. Homemade baby food cuts down on unwanted additives and offers your baby a wider variety of textures and flavors than commercial baby food could hope to replicate. The savings are substantial; your own baby food can be prepared at a fraction of the cost of store-bought. In the long term, offering home-prepared baby food can also help you shape your baby's food choices for a healthy childhood, and beyond. All recipes in The Baby's Table have been reviewed by a physician and tested by parents and more importantly, babies! Information is based on the latest medical and nutritional research and complies with the current Canadian guidelines for infaBradshaw, Brenda is the author of 'Baby's Table', published 2004 under ISBN 9780679312918 and ISBN 0679312919.