how to: make your own baby food
January 8th, 2010 - by Jen
My sweet baby girl will be starting solids in the next few days and I’ve been researching and talking to people who make their own baby food. It was the topic of discussion at a group I attended with other mom’s in my neighborhood, and my brother in law is a stay at home dad who used to work as a chef, he gave me a few “recipes” for baby food that I will be trying. Baby food is easy to buy, but it’s just as easy, cheaper, and healthier to make at home. You may think you need special equipment like a food mill or a baby food grinder, but you can use your own dinner fork for some foods.
Here are a few things I’ve learned.
When starting solids, feed babies vegetables and “power foods” like sweet potatoes and avocado instead of rice cereal. They are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and good fats; and according to our pediatrician they will enjoy vegetables much more in the coming years if they’re eating them more often than carbs.
When preparing vegetables or fruit such as apples, steam or boil them until soft, then puree until smooth.
Wait at least 3-7 days before introducing a new food, to assure that baby doesn’t have an allergy.
When you make your own baby food, you know exactly what your baby is eating; and what a wonderful thing for baby to eat the same things the rest of family eats.
Your baby can experience eating delicious food when in season, just like you.
You can play with your baby’s food like you do with your own, using seasonings and combinations galore.
Steer clear of certain foods for a while, things like citrus should be introduced after a time.
There are lots of ways you know your baby is ready for solids including age and developmental abilities. They should be able to hold their head up, and no longer have the “extrusion reflex” where they push objects out of their mouth. Another sign of readiness may be similar to my little girl, following every bite of food you put into your own mouth, and squealing when handed a slice of carrot or apple to suck on and play with.
Equipment that may come in handy:
-your dinner fork to mash bananas, avocado, baked sweet potatoes, etc.
-pots and pans to boil/steam food in
-a grain mill or coffee grinder for rice and other grains (you could also use a food processor if it grinds the grains to a fine powder)
-a food processor, immersion blender, or regular blender to puree the foods
-breast milk, formula, juice or water to add to thin out pureed food, if needed
-ice cube trays or jars to freeze the food if you want to store them; then take out of freezer, thaw and it’s mealtime!
more resources and information
basics on what to feed your baby and toddler (article)
the when what and how timeline for feeding your baby
age by age guide to feeding your baby at baby center
more on how to make your own baby food
baby food recipes
books and cookbooks on homemade baby food
January 15th, 2010 at 11:00 am
I bought the Cooking for Baby from Williams-Sonoma. You could probably find the book on Amazon for less. I love making food for my little 9 month munchkin. Because I want my munchkin to have a variety of food I invite a friend over and we make several baby food recipes, split the food and cost. This way I can offer my baby a variety of grains, vegetables and fruits and I don’t have to worry about “Yeah! Carrots again!” I recommend this book to any mother wanting to make their own baby food. Good luck!