A Survey of New Mom 'Firsts' for Mother's Day

LATHAM, N.Y., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Being a new mother is filled with wonderful "firsts": first smile, first steps, and first words. While Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation (http://www.beechnut.com/) celebrates its own "firsts" -- new, innovative all-natural varieties of products that are "firsts" to the baby food aisle -- the company wanted to find out what new moms had to say about the joys and concerns that they've experienced after introducing their little ones into the world and how their own perception of Mother's Day has changed since bringing home baby.

"New moms are at the heart of Beech-Nut's constant pursuit of new and innovative nutritional options for babies," said Christoph Rudolph, President and CEO of Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation. "We are proud to offer moms more choices than ever this Mother's Day by bringing a variety of nutritional 'firsts' to the baby food aisle."

Survey Says ... !

According to a recent survey(1) conducted on behalf of Beech-Nut, for new and first-time moms, Mother's Day means more this year than last. When asked how baby has changed the meaning of Mother's Day, 83 percent of survey respondents said Mother's Day reminds them of how happy they are to be a mom. For others, Mother's Day prompts appreciation of their own mother (62 percent).

And while outsiders may think that a day off may be every new mom's dream, the moms themselves say think again! Survey results showed that new moms would rather spend time with baby than to have the day off on Mother's Day. When asked what they desire most on their first Mother's Day, sharing a fun day with baby ranked highest (30 percent), although, many moms (28 percent) said they wouldn't mind a little pampering with spa treatments.

    Other survey highlights include:

    -- Good morning! The survey revealed that while 39 percent of new moms
       believe baby gets fussier in the evening, the morning is a different
       story. More than eight out of 10 new moms (81 percent) agree that baby
       is more pleasant in the morning.

    -- Advancing nutrition. According to the National Network for Childcare,
       infants can start on solid food between ages 4 to 6 months. According
       to survey respondents, nearly twice as many moms are introducing solid
       foods earlier -- four to five months old (38 percent) -- rather than
       later -- six to seven months (20 percent).

    -- Food fun and function. When it comes to feeding baby, more than half of
       new moms (55 percent) think it is fun to see infants react to different
       flavors and textures. But new moms agree that baby food performs
       specific roles, such as introducing solid foods (80 percent) and
       nutrition (77 percent) into baby's diet.

    -- Warm hearts, worried minds. Not surprisingly, nearly all new moms
       (93 percent) warmed to baby's first smile as the most popular,
       unexpected joy of being a new mom. However, new mommy-hood isn't all
       smiles; some of the biggest concerns among new moms are worries about
       baby getting sick (62 percent) and giving baby proper nutrition
       (57 percent).

    -- No expense spared. For 65 percent of new moms, nutritional value and
       variety of flavor are the most important factors when purchasing baby
       food, compared to 21 percent who consider cost.

Beech-Nut "Firsts"

Beech-Nut recently introduced a variety of "firsts" in nutritionally functional foods and beverages to the baby aisle. A variety of all-natural products ranging from first-of-a-kind yogurt-blend fruit and vegetable juice drinks for baby and new products enhanced with DHA, to dry cereals and jarred food varieties containing ingredients such as muesli, whole wheat and wild Alaskan salmon are hitting store shelves. Each of the 17 new products feature functional benefits for baby that promote healthy digestion, enhance mental and visual development, improve concentration and encourage growth, depending on variety.

The new juice beverages, jarred foods and dry cereals are extensions of the DHA plus+(TM) and Good Morning & Good Evening product lines, both introduced by Beech-Nut last year.

The new products follow Beech-Nut's rich history of dedication to infant nutrition and are among many 'firsts' that Beech-Nut has introduced to the baby food industry over the years. In 1931, Beech-Nut scientists patented the first vacuum jar and introduced baby food in glass jars. Beech-Nut baby foods were also first to offer developmental stage-specific varieties and ingredients designed to help parents follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) feeding guidelines. Beech-Nut introduced the first ever line of baby food with DHA and ARA (docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid) in the United States in 2002.

Beech-Nut is still the only major baby food brand completely free of added sugar as part of its commitment to babies and their healthy development. All Beech-Nut foods and beverages are all-natural with added vitamins and minerals and its jarred baby foods contain no added salt, starches, or refined sugars.

About Beech-Nut DHA plus+(TM)

All DHA plus+ foods and beverages contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) , an omega-3 fatty acid that supports baby's mental and visual development and prebiotics which stimulate the growth of "good" bacteria in a baby's digestive system while aiding in calcium absorption. Introduced in 2007, DHA plus+ is the first line of baby foods and beverages to offer this combination of functional benefits to infants.

About Beech-Nut Good Morning & Good Evening

Introduced in 2007, the Good Morning & Good Evening line is the first line of dry and jarred foods to offer key ingredients to infants already eating solid baby foods, based on the time of day that they are fed and the associated nutritional needs.

All Beech-Nut Good Morning foods and beverages contain soluble fiber to give baby sustained nutrition throughout the morning for improved concentration and learning and a good start to the day. Good Evening foods and beverages contain whey protein and calcium to help baby grow throughout the night, when he grows most.

About Beech-Nut

Since 1931, Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation has been built on a history of innovation and dedication to infant nutrition. Headquartered in Latham, New York, Beech-Nut is the number two leading baby food brand in the United States and is committed to deliver more nutritious choices for parents and babies. As a subsidiary of Hero Group of Lenzburg, Switzerland, a global leader in consumer goods and infant feeding, Beech-Nut is able to combine resources to continuously improve food and nutrition for infants.

    For more information visit
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2008/beechnut040108/index.html.

    (1) Beech-Nut conducted an online survey in March of 2008 via Impulse
        Research Corporation with a random sample of 303 women, 18+, first
        time mothers or new mothers from across the country -- all members of
        the CyberPulse(TM) Advisory Panel.  The Advisory Panel has been
        carefully selected to closely match U.S. population demographics.


     For information contact:
     Lorie Eigenrauch, 314.552.6783
     Leigenrauch@webershandwick.com

     Ann Balsamo, 314.552.6723
     Abalsamo@webershandwick.com