How do I know how much to feed my baby at mealtimes?
When you begin, you are introducing your baby to the idea of eating something other than breast milk or formula, more than supplementing your baby's diet. For that reason, it is not necessary at first for your baby to eat a certain amount. Your child should show readiness signs that they are ready to begin solids (discuss these with your pediatrician), and one of those signs is the ability to turn their head. This ability enables your child to signal you by turning away from the spoon.
Babies differ so much in their preferences and their readiness for solids that it's difficult to make hard and fast rules about the consistency, amount, and type of solid foods to offer. You and your pediatrician should discuss your individual child's needs as they grow and develop.
When Should I Feed What?
Starter - 1st Stage - Single Ingredients
It is recommended that parents try new foods one at a time for 3 to 5 days to test for allergies to any food ingredient while the baby is still primarily breast or formula feeding. Some parents like to add baby's usual breast milk or formula to a 1st stage food to ease the transition and add a bit of familiarity to a new experience.
Intermediate - 2nd Stage - Simple Combinations
These recipes are combinations of two or more ingredients. Nutritionally, these foods are designed to complement continued breast or formula feeding as your baby is exploring even more foods and flavors.
Advanced - 3rd Stage - Meals with Texture
These recipes are designed for children comfortable with more texture in their foods. These recipes also provide more balanced nutrition including more protein and calories for babies eating more food and less breast milk or formula.
Toddler - 4th Stage
Our Toddler Purees and Snacks are designed to accompany, or to be served in between, your little one's mealtimes. Blends of superfruits, nutrient-rich veggies, creamy yogurt and ancient grains make the perfect snack for your growing big kid.
How Do I Know My Child Can Have Them?
Allergies to spices are uncommon, and the quantity used in Sprout Baby Food per serving is very small. Different cultures incorporate spices into their babies' diets earlier than others. A child's familiarity with spices will vary depending on things like how "spicy" and varied the diet of a breastfeeding mother was, or if the child was primarily formula-fed.
If there is any history of allergies to a particular ingredient in your family, you may want to exercise caution and do a 3-5 day allergy trial, as you would with any other food. For example, you could add a sprinkle of cinnamon to any one of the Sprout Baby Food Starter recipes your baby already enjoys, before trying it in a combination.
What is the best way to serve Sprout's recipes?
Sprout recipes that come in "squeezable" pouches can be squeezed onto spoon or into a bowl to serve younger babies. Older babies and toddlers may enjoy holding the pouches themselves for self-feeding.
Where should I keep unopened pouches of Sprout Baby Food?
Unopened pouches should be kept at room temperature, like in your cupboard or pantry. We don't recommend exposure to freezing or excess heat. Freezing is unnecessary and is not recommended because it can cause changes in texture, or separation. Refrigeration is not necessary unless the pouch has been opened and then the pouch must be refrigerated and then discarded after 24 hours. See the above question about serving from the pouch and storage.
