Some mamas hold off on buying these until their babies are 6 months old because they think their child will last longer. Others start buying as soon as they learn that the baby might not be able to eat solid food yet. But what if you’re still unsure on whether or not your child actually needs them?
Here are seven signs that let you know when those baby food pouches may have come in really handy:
1) They seem fussy, gassy, and uncomfortable during meals: If your little one doesn’t want to eat what you’re serving, chances are he or she has an issue with textures and eating pasteurized foods may be tough. Also, an upset tummy is a sign that your baby doesn’t like what you’re feeding him or her. And if your baby seems to spit up a lot, it’s more likely he or she may be unable to digest solid foods yet.
2) They are not gaining weight appropriately: If your baby is not getting enough nutrients by eating solids, you should reconsider purchasing some pouches because they provide a good amount of nutrition and there’s no need to overfeed on breast milk or formula.
3) There are already signs of colic: Colic is an uncomfortable condition in babies where they shriek, cry out and make sounds due to abdominal discomfort. Additionally, they spit up more frequently and there’s a need to burp them all the time.
4) They haven’t yet developed a good swallowing reflex: If your baby has difficulties with the swallowing reflex or can’t yet tolerate large amounts of saliva in their mouth, it’s better to try out some nice tasting baby food pouches. Also, your baby will not have any problem if he or she uses a bottle so there’s no need to worry about choking.
5) Your little one still insists on eating for themselves: You should teach your child how to eat real foods but sometimes it takes time for babies to reach this point especially if they still have difficulties with the swallowing reflex or can’t yet chew solid foods properly.
6) You’re breastfeeding or you’re doing baby-led weaning: Breastfeeding is an excellent option for feeding your baby as long as it’s still healthy for you. It promotes a strong bond between you and your baby, so most likely this is something that will continue well into their adulthood. If you don’t want to breastfeed anymore or if there’s just a need to mix it up with some other flavors, then buying some food pouches may help in the process.
7) You want to keep some in the bag when traveling: Sometimes taking the time to fix your little one’s meals can be cumbersome and messy especially if you’re busy with other things like packing for your trip or handling other important things at home.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, baby food pouches are a great way to avoid unnecessary expenses and they are also a good alternative when it comes down to buying prepackaged foods. 1 year is the best age to get those pouches especially since the baby will already have had a taste of solid food.