It may seem overwhelming at the start, but with a few simple tips you can get on your way to giving your baby healthy, non processed food, wherein you have completely controlled 100% of the ingredients. The puree stage of baby food is a very short stage, as well, and before you know it you will be off and running with finger foods.
If you are on the fence and still considering buying your baby food, try some store bought baby food yourself. After you wipe the look of disgust off your face, follow these tips and begin making your own!
Materials Needed
- Some type of blender or food processor. Certain foods, such as bananas and avocados, can be pureed by hand, but the majority of foods need to be blended with a machine, to ensure an even consistency.
- Food!
The Method
The concept of making your own baby food is really rather simple. Your baby is learning to eat what the family is eating, which can make it easier for you in the picky eating toddler years. Your babies food is in its purest form, without added sugars or butters. It is OK to add mild spices and seasonings to your babies food, after all, you are developing their palates, and helping them to discover a variety of flavors.
Vegetables
After washing, cook the vegetables before pureeing. Bake, boil or steam your produce until it is soft. If you do boil, add some of the leftover liquid to the puree. Some vegetables don't require any liquid, such as avocado or sweet potato; just mash and serve. Remember to peel and pit the produce and strain out any seeds.
After washing, cook the vegetables before pureeing. Bake, boil or steam your produce until it is soft. If you do boil, add some of the leftover liquid to the puree. Some vegetables don't require any liquid, such as avocado or sweet potato; just mash and serve. Remember to peel and pit the produce and strain out any seeds.
There are so many varieties of vegetables to try with your little one! Most people tend to start with a puree of carrots, as it is a common vegetable and has a natural sweetness that babies usually seem to like. A few other ideas to get the ball rolling:
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli (get ready for a seedy mess and seedy diapers)
- Sweet Potato
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Beans
- Avocado
- Squash
- Tomato
- Mushrooms (can be very watery when pureed, but are a good add in to another vegetable or meat)
Fruits
Some fruits, such as apples and prunes, need to be softened, so you will want to cook them before pureeing them. Others, such as bananas, are as easy as mash and serve. Melons, such as cantaloupe and honeydew, tend to be very watery when pureed. They are not easy to serve on their own, but can be mixed with other fruits to add to the flavor. If you find your pureed fruit to 'dry,' add a little liquid - either from your boiling water or simply add breast milk or formula until you reach a good consistency. As your baby adapts to solid foods, you can add less liquid.
Some ideas to get you started:
Some fruits, such as apples and prunes, need to be softened, so you will want to cook them before pureeing them. Others, such as bananas, are as easy as mash and serve. Melons, such as cantaloupe and honeydew, tend to be very watery when pureed. They are not easy to serve on their own, but can be mixed with other fruits to add to the flavor. If you find your pureed fruit to 'dry,' add a little liquid - either from your boiling water or simply add breast milk or formula until you reach a good consistency. As your baby adapts to solid foods, you can add less liquid.
Some ideas to get you started:
- Bananas (be careful of too much, as it may lead to constipation)
- Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries
- Pears
- Apples
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Mangoes
Grains
Grains can be pureed as well. Simply cook them first to package directions.
Grains can be pureed as well. Simply cook them first to package directions.
Meat and Poultry
Remove the skin and fat before cooking. Boiling or steaming is a simple way of cooking your meat without having to add any cooking oils. Puree the cooked meat and add a little of your cooking liquid to reach a desired consistency.
Dairy
Not all baby food requires lengthy preparation. Don't forget about those easy foods such as cottage cheese and yogurt. Look for the high fat variety, as your little one needs the calories at such a young age. When buying cottage cheese, as well, pay attention to the consistency - you will want a creamy cheese, not the overly lumpy or dry brands.
There are guidelines for introducing eggs to your baby, which can be found here.
Combination Foods
Once your baby has tried a variety of foods, and you are confident there are no allergies or irritations, you can begin to combine foods and flavors. Be creative! Mixing chicken with avocado, or tomato with grains can make for a yummy supper! Pureeing a stew can add a variety of nutrients to your babies diet as well. Try out new recipes and see what your little one loves!
Storage
There are many methods on the market for pureeing and storing your own baby food. The easiest and most affordable method, however, is really quite simple: Ice cube trays. Each ice cube compartment will hold approximately 2 tbsp of pureed food. Once frozen, remove from the tray and place in to Ziploc bags in your freezer. Your frozen food can be stored for up to 3 months. By this time, your baby will be working his way to finger foods, so expiry is really a non issue.
Ensure your ice cube tray is sterile by initially boiling it for 10 minutes, and washing it in warm soapy water between each use.
This is another advantage of of making our own baby food - you can take out what you need from the freezer, and there is less waste. Economically, it makes good sense!
In summary, making your own baby food is easy to do, convenient to use and an economical and healthy choice. Out of all the things you cannot control in your babies world, let this be one of the few things you can. Your baby will thank you with a nice, healthy mess for you to clean up!
Remove the skin and fat before cooking. Boiling or steaming is a simple way of cooking your meat without having to add any cooking oils. Puree the cooked meat and add a little of your cooking liquid to reach a desired consistency.
Dairy
Not all baby food requires lengthy preparation. Don't forget about those easy foods such as cottage cheese and yogurt. Look for the high fat variety, as your little one needs the calories at such a young age. When buying cottage cheese, as well, pay attention to the consistency - you will want a creamy cheese, not the overly lumpy or dry brands.
There are guidelines for introducing eggs to your baby, which can be found here.
Combination Foods
Once your baby has tried a variety of foods, and you are confident there are no allergies or irritations, you can begin to combine foods and flavors. Be creative! Mixing chicken with avocado, or tomato with grains can make for a yummy supper! Pureeing a stew can add a variety of nutrients to your babies diet as well. Try out new recipes and see what your little one loves!
Storage
There are many methods on the market for pureeing and storing your own baby food. The easiest and most affordable method, however, is really quite simple: Ice cube trays. Each ice cube compartment will hold approximately 2 tbsp of pureed food. Once frozen, remove from the tray and place in to Ziploc bags in your freezer. Your frozen food can be stored for up to 3 months. By this time, your baby will be working his way to finger foods, so expiry is really a non issue.
Ensure your ice cube tray is sterile by initially boiling it for 10 minutes, and washing it in warm soapy water between each use.
This is another advantage of of making our own baby food - you can take out what you need from the freezer, and there is less waste. Economically, it makes good sense!
In summary, making your own baby food is easy to do, convenient to use and an economical and healthy choice. Out of all the things you cannot control in your babies world, let this be one of the few things you can. Your baby will thank you with a nice, healthy mess for you to clean up!
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