What to Feed Your Baby

January 18, 2016
Pediatrician Altmann (Mommy Calls), a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, asserts that there are no other up-to-date credible resources for parents on what, when, and how to feed infants and toddlers. To fill that gap, she and coauthor Saltz, her dietitian and chef, unpack the benefits of 11 “foundation foods”: eggs; dried plums and prunes; avocados; fish; dairy products; nuts and nut butter; chicken and beans or lentils; summer berries and winter citrus; green vegetables; whole grains; and water. Filled with simple, child-friendly recipes, the book provides guidelines for infants six–12 months old, toddlers, and preschoolers. Parents will find some familiar advice (i.e., get preschoolers involved in preparation, eat together as a family when possible), as well as more novel ideas such as skipping the baby food aisle in favor of homemade meals. Altmann believes that commercial baby foods encourage kids to prefer uniformity in texture and taste and recommends in their place healthy selections that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Topics such as allergies, overweight and underweight kids, vegetarian and vegan diets, and picky eaters are also addressed. This clear, thorough guide will take the angst and confusion out of feeding time for parents and youngsters alike.