No you guys, I’m not pregnant yet.

But I have been reading up on baby nutrition. The new husband and I don’t plan on entering into parenthood right away, even though we feel like the only people around who aren’t popping out kids left and right. Friends’ babies, family babies, neighbor babies, random-people-you-forgot-about-after-high-school-til-they-added-you-on-Facebook-and-now-bombard-you-with-how-many-times-Junior-pooped-today’s babies. Babies are surrounding us from all sides. And yeah, we’re married now, so, it’s kind of on my mind.

Even though I’m not a parent yet, I have worked with children for a good portion of my adult working life. But this last year, I got a serious taste of babydom. I worked as a nanny for a little girl I watched grow from just 2 months old to a full year. And, naturally, as she got old enough to start eating solid foods, I began to wonder, what should her little body be fed? Not according to Gerber, but to what’s actually best for her health? Are these jars of slushy-looking goop really doing her any good? Is her diet giving her the best chance of developing into a healthy child, or could some of the foods she’s getting even be causing her harm?

I wished there was some sort of definitive handbook on all this. I definitely wanted to make sure I figured it out by the time I started having kids, so I wouldn’t have to wonder and I’d have solid answers to these questions. I also wanted to make sure I knew how to do everything possible during my pregnancies to set my future babies up for optimal health.

Well, I lucked out. I recently came across Nourished Baby by Heather Dessinger, and the definitive handbook on real food baby nutrition, it most certainly is.

Heather is the author of the awesome real food mommy blog, Mommypotamus. She has such a fun and easy-to-read writing style that even a topic as complex as infant nutrition is a breeze to learn with this book. She explains everything from the importance of baby getting their first dose of gut flora from mom to the “sacred” foods traditional cultures ate in order to ensure proper physical and intellectual development. Getting those things right can prevent problems such as crooked teeth, allergies, eczema, mood disorders, and other common health problems.

Nourished Baby takes the guesswork out of figuring out when to start solid foods, what foods should be introduced, and how they should be fed to your baby. Not only that, but the book is packed with over 30 baby-friendly recipes. Note that I didn’t say, “baby food recipes.” Heather has created all kinds of dishes that you, your spouse, your older kids, AND your baby can enjoy. I thought this was just such a cool concept!

What else you’ll learn in Nourished Baby:

• How the actual birth experience can affect a child’s cravings for life
• Why a 2001 study of North American women found that their breast milk did not meet the minimum requirements for many essential nutrients –- and how to make sure your baby gets the absolute best at your breast
• How to decode your cravings while nursing
• Why you should skip rice cereal and go for digestion enhancing stews
• What the latest research says on introducing peanuts, eggs and other “allergenic” foods
• Why experts believe purees can lead to overeating
• When children’s “picky” eating habits can actually indicate a serious problem — and how to correct it
• Tips for raising an adventurous eater

Order the Book Today! UPDATE: BIG Sale Ends Wednesday

Nourished Baby sells for $18.99, which is really a steal considering it’s basically the first and last baby nutrition book you’ll ever need.

But right now, you can get the book for 90% off when you order the Village Green Network  Spring Ebook Bundle!

You’ll get the newly-revised edition of Nourished Baby, plus 29 other books (including mine!) for $1.30 each! But you have to HURRY—the sale ends at midnight 12:00 Pacific on Wednesday night!

Click the button below to order:

 

[Disclosure: cmp.ly/5]