Ideas about what babies should be fed are drawn from a combination of sources: family background, cultural norms, social class, and current advice from experts. These experts can range from a local pediatrician to national studies conducted by nutritionists. Furthermore, collective wisdom and a mother’s common sense also influence what a baby is fed.

Recommendations on when to first introduce babies to solid food have ranged across generations, from within a few weeks of birth to several months. This was usually hand-strained food. Later, technology and nutritional information led to an increase in babies being fed mass-produced, store-bought baby food in cans or jars. Periodically, an interest in homemade baby food has arisen, especially after blenders became a ubiquitous kitchen appliance. Yet, mass-produced, commercial baby food ...