Starting Olivia on home cooked solid food was very important to me. It meant that I knew exactly what was being put in the food and therefore what she was getting to eat. The ingredients that went into the food were carefully chosen by me, and all the preparation, especially the cleanliness, was in my control.

I wanted to make sure my daughter was eating all that she needed for healthy development.

I was also concerned about food allergies. I hear so much about allergic and intolerance reactions to food, especially concerning younger babies. My friends’ babies were allergic to a number of different foods, and only now are growing out of it at 5 and 6 years of age.

So I was worried about starting solid food with Oli after months of breast feeding. I looked at the commercially produces food in glass jars and in small tins, and they all had some kind of additives included. I guess they have to, to be sitting on shelves for so long before they are used. Also, I didn’t know if I was paying for mainly water or food thickener. Exactly how much fruit, vegetables or meat were in these products?

Call me paranoid, but I wanted to make sure my little one had the healthiest start. With time I have become more relaxed, but in the beginning, the first couple of months were very stressful for me, and I preferred to cook all of the food myself.

Cooking for my beautiful child gives me great joy and is very rewarding. I feel that I am positively contributing to the future health and well-being of my precious daughter.