good organic baby food recommendations?

[lilapple]

Hello!  My lo is 6 mos., breastfed, just started solids---oatmeal gerber only b/c I don't know of others.  Is Gerber free of pesticidal use?  Any recommendations on good brands maybe that are not too expensive?

[tylersmommy]

Gerber has a line of baby food called Tender Harvest that's organic (the regular line is not organic). It's slightly more expensive than the regular food. There's another organic lline called Earth's Best that you can find at health food markets, and it's a bit more expensive as well. Gerber mails out coupons from time to time if you sign up on their website. Another option is to buy organic foods and make your own baby food. HTH!

[carolyn]

I read an article several months ago that said organicbaby food was a waste of money. It said that all baby foods are held to the same standards whether organic or not.  And continued to say that there is no health advantage to organic baby food.

That said, I used Earth's Best and some Gerber Tender Harvest. But I cooked 75% of John's food from organic and non organic veggies.

[Erin M]

You can buy variety packs of Earth's Best at Babies R Us and there's always a coupon on there for $ off the next one you buy.  When you buy Earth's Best cereal, there's a coupon for $1.00 off 10 jars.  Whenever I buy Earth's Best at the store I get one of those checkout coupons for $ off of Gerber Tender Harvest.  Whole Foods sometimes has it on sale here (NJ) and gives you a discount if you buy it in bulk.  So, between all of those, I generally don't pay a whole lot more than I would for "normal" baby food.

Also, FWIW, Consumer Reports just published a big article on organic in the February 2006 issue and said, in their opinion, it is worth buying organic baby food. 

HTH

[Diego's Mama]

I believe strongly in organic foods.  One reason that I fed strictly organics and still do for that matter, was the argument that says FDA regulations for pesticides are set for adults.  Hence, they're more concetrated in a baby or little person as they're so much smaller.

I highly advocate making your own baby food.  It will be the highest in nutrition as many baby foods use fillers.  I was routinely discouraged to buy a fruit apricot pureé, for example, that had apple sauce as a main ingredient and synthetic vitamins added.  I'd rather give the real deal and pureé the foods myself.

[lilapple]

thanks everyone!!!!!

[carolyn]

I believe strongly in organic foods.  One reason that I fed strictly organics and still do for that matter, was the argument that says FDA regulations for pesticides are set for adults.  Hence, they're more concetrated in a baby or little person as they're so much smaller.

That's an interesting point, Laura. I can't remember which magazine I read the article in, but I believe it was either Parents or Parenting.  It was at the doctor's office.  I still did and do use alot of fresh veggies and fruit and as much organic as I can.

I also wanted to add, the readon I liked Earth's Best more than Gerber isbecause they have more vegetarian selections than Gerber.