Hey there, friends! Ever wondered how baby food became a must-have in every household? Whether you’re a fan of the classic Gerber jars or whip up your own homemade goodies, baby food has a fascinating history. Let’s dive in!
Believe it or not, the baby food we know today didn’t really hit the shelves until the 1920s. Before that, parents had to get creative with soft foods that were typically served to the sick or elderly. Think beef broth and wheat gruel—sounds pretty dull, right? Fruits and veggies were usually on the no-go list until babies turned two because they were seen as having laxative effects. Fast forward to the 1920s, and change was on the horizon!
It all started with a guy named Frank Thompson from Rochester, New York, who made vegetable soup for his ailing child. The recipe gained popularity, leading him to mass-produce it. That’s how Thompson’s Baby Food came to be. Meanwhile, Gerber, a canning company in Michigan, jumped on the bandwagon, introducing pureed fruits and veggies as baby food.
Parents loved this new convenience. Suddenly, introducing “solid” food to babies became easier, and they started to do it much earlier. As Amy Bentley, a food historian, puts it, “As it’s mass-produced more and more and becomes affordable for most Americans, it becomes a viable option.” Advertisers began showcasing young babies happily enjoying their baby food, which influenced parents on when to start.
After World War II, there was a notable drop in breastfeeding rates. Bentley refers to this period as the “golden age of commercial baby food.” The idea of convenience and modernity became appealing, symbolizing abundance and scientific advancement in a post-war society.
Today, the baby food industry has evolved even further with trendy flavor combinations and the advent of handy pouches. They’re not just cute; they’re practical! As Bentley notes, once babies can grasp, they can easily suck from these pouches, which appeals to parents of toddlers. Companies like Plum Organics even cater to moms with snack pouches of their own.
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In summary, the journey of baby food from simple broths to trendy pouches reflects changing societal norms and the increasing demand for convenience in parenting. Whether you’re making your own baby food or reaching for a pouch, it’s clear that this industry has come a long way!
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