Anyone using food processor instead of Jarred Baby foods?

Veronica - posted on 05/16/2009

Thanks for the ideas, I am so excited about not having to buy those gerber foods too much longer!

Maria - posted on 05/16/2009

Veronica, I invested in a steamer-blender machine (BEABA) which is extremely convenient for me. But you can also steam food by putting food in a mesh on top of pan with boiling water. There is also just steamers you can buy- which are much cheaper , and can cook bigger quantities , than the steamer-blender machines.

Katy - posted on 05/16/2009

Every veggie or fruit is a little different. Some veggies lose tons of nutrients when boiled rather than steamed- like broccoli for instance. Like you, sometimes I cook the same staples in a meal over and over again.

Carrots make a great base to play with- easy and sweet too for the baby: A saucepan over medium heat with only enough water to cover your carrots. I use organic baby carrots and steam them for about 15 minutes- not mushy, but certainly not firm. Use a paring knife or whatever to check them after 10 or so minutes.. Cool them, food mill them and serve alone or mix with steamed zucchini or peas or???? :) ***oh, and keep the liquid that you have left over from steaming! Its great to have on hand to loosen the puree up if neccessary.



We also love yams, usually labeled sweet potato. It too makes a great base to play with- fruits or veggies can be mixed in it. My sons loves a mixture of yams and apples n cinnamon. ;)



Another nice thing about making your own food is having the ability to mill or puree the food to your baby's liking and stage by gradually increasing the sizes of the pieces in it. This week I introduced cooked raisins in his apples. I pulled a couple semi mashed ones out to let him practice feeding himself.



Have fun!

Veronica - posted on 05/15/2009

Thanks everyone for the ideas I will check out both the website and books you suggested. I have one question tho I am not the most experienced cook as my husband is very picky and i usually cook the same things over and over for him as that is what he likes, how exactly do you steam food?

Katy - posted on 05/15/2009

I cook for my son, with the exception of the cereal- thats a bit tough..

I steam just about everything I can, I was using the food mill or the mini chop, but some foods are perfect to just mash a little. I too, have used Annabel's book, but mainly for cooking times. I find that her recipes call for 'pats' of butter and cheese, where we just haven't gotten to that point. I am dairy and wheat free, and so far he is too.

Try www.wholesomebabyfood.com for a decent website to get started.



Donovan eats absolutely everything I've offered to him. I buy many organic produce items and cook and freeze every couple days. That way I am not forced to make him a brand new meal each night.

I love knowing exactly what he is eating, while getting all the original nutrients from the fruits and veggies. It is incredibly rewarding!



Good luck!!

Heidi - posted on 05/15/2009

I also make my twins baby food, following the annabel karmel recipe books, as its cheaper and more nutrious as you know what they're getting. Mine love cauliflower cheese, chicken and sweet potato and courgette gratin.

Maria - posted on 05/15/2009

I dintt use any jars since I started the baby with solids. I cook his food in a steamer (to keep all the vitamins) and then blend it.

If you want ideas on how to cook foods and what foods , I would suggest books by Annabel Karmel, they have a lot of easy receipies.

At 3rd stage you can give your baby more course food, of food just pureed with your fork. You can also give fruit which is not cook for example grated apples. But since you have never given your baby anything else than jar I strongly suggest that you can try by boiling or steaming the apple. fruits first, and doing blending well with the blender. Once the baby is ok with that you can move to courser food.

My baby loves chicken with potato and carrot, lamb with sweet potato, leek with potato, banana (you dont have to cook banana you just mash it),squash with other vegetable, spinach with potato. You can even try lentil or pasta!

About the quantity, I suggest you give her as much as she wants unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Dont force the baby to take more than she wants. Some babies eat less than others. If she doesnt like something dont force her to have it. Try to give her the same food again in a couple of weeks when she forgot about it.