Protein content in jarred baby food?

[Life is Good]

I give our boy a mixture of bought and home-made organic baby food (he still hates lumps and will only eat super smooth purees). I always cook up meat and make custard for him in an attempt to increase what I believe to be a very small percentage of protein in the bought food.

Given that he is still on formula, this isn't a major concern of mine, but I have yet to come across a jar of food that contains more than 10% meat.

I know that there are a lot of babies out there that are fed jarred/canned food exclusively and I just wanted to know if all of their protein (and therefore iron) requirements are met.

Do you think the food manufacturers work on the premise that if the food is given in conjunction with formula then the protein / meat content is adequate?

I would just like to know people's thoughts and opinions on this.

[Indadhanu]

If you're worried about iron, they fortify some baby cereals (like the Raffertys garden cereals) with iron, and it could be a good way to start introducing lumps too.

[Life is Good]

Thanks Leasha. I already give him RG cereal and he quite enjoys it. I have posted this question because I have read that iron is more readily absorbed through meat/pulse protein compared to any fortified food (including formula).

[luna moth]

Yes, I do think manufacturers work on the assumption that food is given with formula.

If you want to get more meat into your super smooth purees, you can cook up a piece, freeze it straight away, and then grate it from frozen into his food before you heat it. I used to do this when I was nannying, and honestly, it is SO easy.

[Indadhanu]

Great idea Audax!

I found Jazz really enjoyed soft meats like roasted chicken (white meat like breast) or roast lamb to gum on, but we did BLS so thats probably not helpful either!

[Life is Good]

Thanks for the tip, Audax At the moment I am just blending mince until it is as smooth as I can get it and then freezing it in individual portions. I imagine getting chicken that smooth will be more challenging so I may use your grating suggestion for that!