Make compost - not landfill

If you want to reduce single-use plastic, how you feed your baby is one way to make a big difference.

In previous decades, commercial baby foods came in recyclable glass jars or metal cans. But in this century, plastic pouches have largely replaced these and convenience food for infants has become a significant contributor to landfill.

Baby-led Weaning uses the family foods you are already preparing for your household. You can create meals without creating additional waste by choosing reusable containers to store and transport food for your baby.

Pureed foods are not necessary for babies who are developmentally ready to eat: only infants prematurely starting solids require food to be liquefied.

Babies should be able to see, feel and smell their food. While manufacturers might depict pouch contents being served from a bowl with a spoon-feeding adult smiling adoringly at their baby, the real experience for many babies is slurping the contents directly from the pouch. These babies are not practising important skills for self-feeding and there is concern for babies continuing to eat this way into their second or even third year of life.

Pouches might have their place occasionally but babies need to share their parents meals right from the start.