Common concerns around baby pouches may be over-hyped

An Otago University study of more than nine-hundred babies has found babies who regularly consume puree pouches were no more likely to suffer from iron deficiency or be bigger.

It also found that despite fears of widespread dependence on straws, just five percent of infants in the study used them regularly.

The next step for the researchers is measuring data around dental records and oral motor skills.

Otago University nutritionist Professor Anne-Louise Heath says further research of the pouches is needed to determine their long term effects.