Q: What is DHA?
A: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid that is important for brain and eye development during baby's early and later years of growth. It is the most abundant long chain omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and the retina of the eye.
Q: Why is DHA important?
A: DHA is an important fatty acid which helps support brain and eye development during baby's early and later years of growth. DHA serves as a major structural fat in the brain, the retina of the eye and is also a key component of the heart. DHA is important for mental and visual development in infants.
Q: Where are common sources of DHA?
A: DHA is an Omega-3 fatty acid found naturally in breastmilk and fish such as tuna and salmon.
Q: My baby has allergies... what allergens are in DHA?
A: We use tuna oil in many of our baby foods as a source of DHA. The tuna oil we use is highly refined and appropriate for young babies. Highly refined tuna oil does not contain fish proteins that could cause an allergic reaction. If you have any questions about DHA and your baby, we encourage you to speak with your pediatrician.
Q: Is there such a thing as too much DHA?
A: Most babies in the U.S. have low intakes of DHA, which is a component that supports brain and eye development. As your baby moves to solid foods, you can feed him GERBER® Cereals and GERBER® Organic 1st and 2ND FOODS® puree blends that have DHA as a complement to breastmilk or formula.
Q: My doctor says that the formula I give my baby already has enough DHA in it. Why does my baby need more?
A: Mom should have ongoing conversations with her doctor about baby's diet, especially during weaning. Since typical weaning foods do not contain DHA, there is a likelihood of a reduction in dietary DHA as solid foods begin to displace formula/breastmilk as a source of nutrition in baby's diet. Thus, baby foods with DHA help to ensure that DHA continues to be readily available in baby's diet.
Q: How specifically does DHA help support healthy brain and eye development?
A: DHA is a structural component of cell membranes in the retina and the brain and accumulates rapidly in these tissues during the rapid growth spurt in the last trimester of pregnancy. DHA continues to be important for brain and eye development after birth.
Q: Why does my baby need cereals or purees with DHA when he already breastfeeds or uses formula with DHA?
A: Some experts say that baby's DHA consumption should increase proportionate to his body weight. Unfortunately, the amount of DHA your baby consumes will likely level out or decline as solid foods begin to replace some of the breastmilk or formula in his diet. Complementary sources of DHA, like GERBER® cereals and GERBER purees with DHA, are a good way to help ensure that your baby is getting this important nutrient as he grows. Start with GERBER cereals with DHA as a complement to breastmilk and/or formula when your baby is in the Supported Sitter stage. Add additional servings of GERBER® 2ND FOODS® purees with DHA when your baby reaches the Sitter stage.
Q: Does the DHA from tuna oil used in GERBER® products have any heavy metals?
A: Our tuna oil is highly refined and carefully made to keep the level of mercury very low so you can be sure it is safe for your baby.
Q: Where does the DHA in GERBER® GOOD START® formula come from?
A: Some GERBER® products use DHA from tuna oil, while the DHA used in GERBER® GOOD START® formula is from Martek oil. The DHA is surrounded with ingredients that break down in baby's tummy, but not in her mouth, so she gets all the benefits of DHA without sacrificing taste.
Q: How do I find the “use by” date on the product?
A: GERBER® products - Each product is stamped with a “use by” date in the format dd mm yy. For example, a use-by date of August 25, 2010 would be indicated as “25 AUG 10”.
Q: When should I start my baby on solid foods?
A: Around the middle of your baby’s first year, she should be ready to start solid foods. This coincides with her having reached the Supported Sitter developmental stage. To learn more about nutrition and feeding at this stage, please refer to our Nutrition Guide for Supported Sitters.
Before starting solid foods, be sure to discuss it with your pediatrician.
Q: What is the difference between GERBER® 1st FOODS®, GERBER® 2nd FOODS® and GERBER® 3rd FOODS® products and when do I start each of them?
A: GERBER® 1st FOODS® products are single fruit and vegetable purees. The food is pureed for easy swallowing. These foods are typically introduced when your baby is in the Supported Sitter stage.
GERBER® 2nd FOODS® products include many fruits and vegetables your baby enjoyed in the GERBER® 1ST FOODS® line, but there are many new varieties and combinations of ingredients. These foods are typically introduced in the Sitter stage.
GERBER® 3rd FOODS® products are ideal for feeding your baby in the transition to table-type foods. They have more texture and may include tiny particles that help babies learn to mash food with their gums. GERBER® 3rd FOODS® products also offer new varieties. These foods are typically introduced at the Crawler stage.
Be sure to wait about three days before introducing a new food.
Learn more about our Milestone Symbols™.
Q: What is the first solid food I should feed my baby?
A: Rice cereal (such as GERBER® Rice Cereal) is typically the first complementary food introduced to infants. It is made with gentle ingredients and its smooth, fine texture is developmentally appropriate for your baby’s first solid food.
Oatmeal (such as GERBER® Oatmeal Cereal) is usually the second cereal offered. Wait about 3 days in between each cereal to see how your baby tolerates them. Watch for signs of allergic responses such as diarrhea, a rash or vomiting. If any of these occur, stop feeding that variety and contact your pediatrician.
Once your baby is eating cereal, you can also try pureed baby foods like GERBER® 1ST FOODS® fruits and vegetables.
To learn more about feeding your baby at this stage of development, read our Nutrition Guide for Supported Sitters.
Q: How do I prepare pureed baby food?
A: Spoon or squeeze food from the packaging into a serving dish for feeding. This allows you to safely store any unused portion of the container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Once you're in the Sitter stage, if preparing pureed baby food from a pouch, spoon or squeeze food from the pouch into a serving dish for feeding. After resealing, the pouch should be refrigerated within 1 hour and used within 24 hours.
Q: Do pureed baby foods need to be heated?
A: No. All baby foods may be served cold, warm or at room temperature.
Q: How do I store leftover pureed baby food?
A: As long as you do not feed directly from the packaging or heat the entire container of food, reseal and keep in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Q: How do I find the “use by” date on the product?
A: GERBER® products - Each product is stamped with a “use by” date in the format dd mm yy. For example, a use-by date of August 25, 2010 would be indicated as “25 AUG 10”.
Q: What is “Organic”?
A: Certified organic foods must meet the strict standards set by the United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) National Organic Program.
Q: How can you claim the ingredients in GERBER® Organic products are “organic”?
A: Gerber’s certified organic foods adhere to the strict standards of the USDA’s organic program.
Q: What GERBER® Organic product lines are available?
A: Gerber makes organic cereals, pureed baby foods, juices and snacks.
Q: Can I start my baby on solid foods using GERBER® Organic products?
A: Yes. Around the middle of baby’s first year your baby will be in the Supported Sitter stage at this time you may want to start introducing solid foods into your baby’s diet. Before starting solid foods, be sure to discuss it with your pediatrician. If you would like your baby’s first solid food to be organic, start her on GERBER® Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice Cereal. Once your baby is eating cereal, GERBER® Organic 1ST FOODS® vegetables and fruits would be an appropriate addition to her diet. Be sure to wait about three days before introducing a new food.
Q: What is the difference between GERBER® Organic 2ND FOODS® products and the regular GERBER® 2ND FOODS® products?
A: GERBER® Organic 2ND FOODS® products meet the USDA standards for organic, and have different varieties.
Q: How do I find the “use by” date on the product?
A: GERBER® products - Each product is stamped with a “use by” date in the format dd mm yy. For example, a use-by date of August 25, 2010 would be indicated as “25 AUG 10”.