by Frances Laing

Created on: February 23, 2009

We know the years after your baby is born up to the age of three are formative. The U.N. advocates breastfeeding up to the age of six months at least - with the recognition that nutritionally a baby who is breastfed will generally be better protected from childhood diseases like ear infections.

But what happens when a baby is weaned? If you have done your best to make sure your child has the nutritional advantages associated with giving him or her the best source or sustenance - then you will want to ensure that things continue in this vein when they start solids.

Organic food is the obvious, most natural and sensible choice here. Feeding your baby organic foods from the start of weaning means that you are not taking the risks of exposing your child to unnecessary quantities of persistent chemicals like pesticides.

Of course there are those who argue this approach is unnecessary and in fact will make no difference to your child's development. Personally, I believe in the Precautionary Principle here: which means that you don't do something unless you are certain it will cause no harm. This is tricky for us adults I know, as we all tend to take things to excess occasionally.

In the case of your children, though - you are the person who is going to take the lead on their nutritional development. It is a huge responsibility, but you can influence this for the good. Organic (and in particular) home grown organic food - does tend to taste better. And children especially small children, infants and toddlers need a variety of different taste sensations.

Home made organic food is not difficult to prepare. Consult a manual or book on weaning, (there are some good ones out now on 'child-led weaning'. This will give you suggestions as to what you can try first. In our family, organic porridge with honey was a favourite. Follow the advice you find about the order in which particular foods can be introduced. You may also find this approach useful if you suspect that your child has an allergy. Get the advice of a nutritionist on this one too. Your child will eventually progress to eating more or less the same food that adults eat when he/she is fully weaned. This makes life easier for the household cook. Mostly I leave salt out of the food I cook and serve them up at table to keep our salt intake down.

If you're on the move organic food out of jars can be very useful. Although I found that one jar was never enough for a meal for my baby. And it is more expensive that way. Look out for organic certification so you can be sure you're buying the right thing.

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