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Expert Shopper Baby & Kids

Best baby food pouch

Which baby food pouch is best?

Selecting the right baby food pouch is a huge decision, since you want the most nutritious, safest and healthiest food for your child. It can help to better understand the ingredient variations and different kinds of baby food. Our top pick, HappyTot Organics Super Foods Variety Pack, is a stellar pack of nutritious, tasty baby food pouches. 

What to know before you buy a baby food pouch

Stages

Baby food pouches come in a few different stages. Stage 1 baby food pouches are meant for babies 4 to 6 months, while stage 2 baby food is for more advanced eaters who are between 8 and 10 months old. Stage 3 baby food is chunkier and is for children 10 months and older.

Types of baby food

The most common kinds of baby food pouches include cereal, snacks and pureed food.

Nutrients

Young children need a lot of nutrients to thrive. Baby food pouches usually include iron for cognitive development and vitamin C for iron absorption. Vitamin E and zinc help encourage healthy immune systems, while vitamin A helps with vision development and immune support.

What to look for in a quality baby food pouch

Ingredients

The food in baby food pouches are made from a wide variety of ingredients, including meat, fruit, vegetables, rice, flour, grains and some dairy products.

Flavors

Baby food pouches come in either mixed-flavor or single-flavor varieties. Single-flavor baby food pouches include just one vegetable or fruit, while mixed-flavor baby food pouches combine vegetables, meat and fruit for tasty and interesting blends.

BPA-free packaging

When packaging is BPA-free, it means the baby food pouch is created without any harmful resins or polycarbonate plastics. It’s important to choose healthy packaging.

How much you can expect to spend on a baby food pouch

Packs of baby food pouches typically vary in price from $10-$30. The most budget-friendly packs of baby food pouches cost about $10-$16, while midrange packs of baby food pouches go for $17-$24 and high-end packs of baby food pouches vary in price from $25-$30. 

Baby food pouch FAQ

Do baby food pouches expire?

A. Yes, the expiration date of the baby food pouch is listed on the package. Sometimes the date is listed on the main baby food box rather than the individual containers when you purchase value packs of baby food pouches.

The expiration date is typically one year from the purchase of the baby food pouch, if you are unable to locate an expiration date. If you are not sure of the expiration date or how old the baby food pouch is, replace the pouch.

Does the food in baby food pouches stain upholstery, carpets or clothing?

A. Yes, the baby food will stain upholstery, carpets and clothing if you leave the stains untreated. That said, there is specific baby food that won’t lead to much of a stain, including cereal and baby food free of artificial coloring and added sugar. These stains are minimal and simple to treat.

Brightly colored and darker baby food are more likely to cause difficult stains. When you get baby food on your clothing, scrape off the extra baby food and pre-treat it with a laundry stain remover before soaking or cleaning the clothing.

How do you recycle containers of baby food?

A. The way you recycle baby food depends on the kind of container. You should consult with your town’s public works to get information about the local recycling program. You need to refer to the packaging numbers to figure out if the packaging is recyclable, particularly for plastic tubs.

Squeeze baby food pouches typically are considered regular waste and can go straight into the trash can, while glass jars usually are recyclable as long as they are rinsed out. You can recycle baby food containers by upcycling them and repurposing them into arts-and-crafts supplies, flower and seed pots and household containers.

What’s the best baby food pouch to buy?

Top baby food pouch

HappyTot Organics Super Foods Variety Pack

What you need to know: These baby food pouches from Happy Baby Organics are healthy, simple to use and convenient pouches with high-nutrient baby food.

What you’ll love: This 16-pack of 4-ounce baby food pouches come with delicious vegetable and fruit blends that toddlers and babies enjoy, with no added sugar or salt.

What you should consider: Some kids might not like the taste of particular flavors of these baby food pouches.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Top baby food pouch for the money

Mama Bear Organic Baby Food, Stage 2

What you need to know: These inexpensive baby food pouches from Amazon have no artificial colors or flavors and are organic.

What you’ll love: These nutritious baby food pouches are listed as Climate Pledge Friendly and made with non-GMO ingredients.

What you should consider: This is not a variety pack, so it’s one flavor per box.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Worth checking out

Plum Organics Hearty Veggie Organic Baby Food Variety Pack

What you need to know: These organic baby food pouches from Plum Organics are ideal for parents who need easy meals for their child while they’re on the go.

What you’ll love: This box of baby food pouches comes with protein, organically grown produce and no sugar or salt added. The pouches are BPA-free.

What you should consider: The texture of this baby food doesn’t work well for many babies.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

 

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Alex Kilpatrick writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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