Baby Foods - Making Your Own
By: Dr. McCabe
When your baby is ready to start solids, you may decide to make your own baby food. Making your baby food has many advantages. It is relatively easy and more economical than buying pre-made food. You can use any fresh produce, grains, or meats that you already have at home. It gets babies used to eating the same food as the rest of the family, which may help in picky toddler years. Best of all, you know exactly what your baby is eating.
If you decide to make your baby food, it is not that complicated. Basically, all you need is a way to cook and puree the food. Steaming is the preferred method of cooking as it preserves many of the nutrients. However, you can also roast, bake, or microwave the food. There are many kitchen gadgets that you can use to help in the process. Some all-in-one devices can steam and then puree the food for you. You can also use a food mill, baby food grinder, kitchen blender, food processor, hand blender, potato masher, or good old-fashioned fork to get the food nice and soft.
Here is one suggested method of making baby food:
1.) Wash your hands and equipment
2.) Scrub and peel fruits and vegetables. Remove any pits and seeds as necessary. You can use frozen foods if the produce is not in season
3.) Steam, microwave, bake, or roast until tender
4.) Puree in a food processor or mash if the baby can handle more texture. Add liquid (breastmilk, formula, or water) until the desired consistency is reached. Start with very runny foods and gradually add more texture as your baby gets used to eating.
5.) Store in the refrigerator or freezer in airtight containers.
6.) Rewarm when it is time to eat. Stir to make sure there are no "hot spots" and allow to cool to room temperature.
There are numerous containers made for specifically storing baby food. You can also freeze food in an ice cube tray and reheat individual servings. Make sure to dish out only the amount of food the baby will eat in one serving. You will need to toss what is not eaten as bacteria from the baby's saliva could potentially contaminate stored food.
You can also make your own meat by removing the skin and fat and then cooking. Puree in a blender as above. Alternatively, you can break meat off very small pieces when your baby is old enough to handle more solid textures. Grains can similarly be made by cooking according to package directions, then pureeing or grinding in a food mill.
Do not sweeten food, but you can use seasonings such as cinnamon or curry powder.
Remember to try one new food every 3-5 days to monitor for allergies. As your baby safely tries different food, you can then begin to combine foods. Here are a couple links to baby food recipes:
http://www.babycenter.com/100_baby-food-recipes-by-annabel-karmel_10316719.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/100_baby-food-recipes-by-bridget-swinney_10326156.bc
When your baby is ready to start solids, you may decide to make your own baby food. Making your baby food has many advantages. It is relatively easy and more economical than buying pre-made food. You can use any fresh produce, grains, or meats that you already have at home. It gets babies used to eating the same food as the rest of the family, which may help in picky toddler years. Best of all, you know exactly what your baby is eating.
If you decide to make your baby food, it is not that complicated. Basically, all you need is a way to cook and puree the food. Steaming is the preferred method of cooking as it preserves many of the nutrients. However, you can also roast, bake, or microwave the food. There are many kitchen gadgets that you can use to help in the process. Some all-in-one devices can steam and then puree the food for you. You can also use a food mill, baby food grinder, kitchen blender, food processor, hand blender, potato masher, or good old-fashioned fork to get the food nice and soft.
Here is one suggested method of making baby food:
1.) Wash your hands and equipment
2.) Scrub and peel fruits and vegetables. Remove any pits and seeds as necessary. You can use frozen foods if the produce is not in season
3.) Steam, microwave, bake, or roast until tender
4.) Puree in a food processor or mash if the baby can handle more texture. Add liquid (breastmilk, formula, or water) until the desired consistency is reached. Start with very runny foods and gradually add more texture as your baby gets used to eating.
5.) Store in the refrigerator or freezer in airtight containers.
6.) Rewarm when it is time to eat. Stir to make sure there are no "hot spots" and allow to cool to room temperature.
There are numerous containers made for specifically storing baby food. You can also freeze food in an ice cube tray and reheat individual servings. Make sure to dish out only the amount of food the baby will eat in one serving. You will need to toss what is not eaten as bacteria from the baby's saliva could potentially contaminate stored food.
You can also make your own meat by removing the skin and fat and then cooking. Puree in a blender as above. Alternatively, you can break meat off very small pieces when your baby is old enough to handle more solid textures. Grains can similarly be made by cooking according to package directions, then pureeing or grinding in a food mill.
Do not sweeten food, but you can use seasonings such as cinnamon or curry powder.
Remember to try one new food every 3-5 days to monitor for allergies. As your baby safely tries different food, you can then begin to combine foods. Here are a couple links to baby food recipes:
http://www.babycenter.com/100_baby-food-recipes-by-annabel-karmel_10316719.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/100_baby-food-recipes-by-bridget-swinney_10326156.bc