Home made baby food

Danielle - posted on 02/12/2009

I bought the fresh baby food kit and it has been wonderful. The AAP actually recommends buying certain baby foods in the jar though and this includes Carrots. You can use frozen or fresh foods (check the frozen labels first as I was shocked to find many add salt and sugar). I would highly recommend buying the freshbaby kit as it takes the guesswork out of it!

Samantha - posted on 02/11/2009

Quoting Amanda:

I also make my own baby food. I go to a local health food store to get organic fruits and veggies as much as possible. I buy organic peas, organic green beans, and strawberries frozen in 2kg bags at costco. I steam everything one the stove top and then trow it in the blender with some to the water from the pot. I've read that you shouldn't use the water from orange veggies such as carrots though because they have high nitrate levels. Meat I have been having a bit of trouble with getting the consistency right. If anyone out there has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Thanks for the advice on the orange veggies. I hadn't heard about that.

Danielle - posted on 02/11/2009

I have used the wholesomebabyfood.com and I found a book on Making Homemade Baby Food (I can't remember the title off the top of my head, but if you want to know it let me know) that goes over everything and gives receipes up to toddler age to help your child continue to eating healthy and incorporate what the family is eating too.   When you can't buy fressh veggies or fruit it is okay to use frozen, but don't use canned (there is added ingriedents that they don't always list - just like in jarred baby food).  I tend to set aside a day and make food for awhile and then freeze it.  It works out great. 

So far Rosabelle loves all food!  Even prunes and avocados!  (avocados is recommended as a first which many people don't realize)

Amanda - posted on 02/11/2009

I also make my own baby food. I go to a local health food store to get organic fruits and veggies as much as possible. I buy organic peas, organic green beans, and strawberries frozen in 2kg bags at costco. I steam everything one the stove top and then trow it in the blender with some to the water from the pot. I've read that you shouldn't use the water from orange veggies such as carrots though because they have high nitrate levels. Meat I have been having a bit of trouble with getting the consistency right. If anyone out there has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Jaime - posted on 02/11/2009

i make my own baby food that way i know what is in it my son loves potato, carrot and siverbeet mixed together i know that you cant give babys new potatoes

Angela - posted on 02/11/2009

I just started making my own baby food.  It's very easy!  I use my food processor to puree fruits and veggies with a little bit of water and then freeze in an ice cube tray.  I use the books "Top 100 Baby Purees" and "First Meals" both by Annabel Karmel.  I like being able to open the freezer and pull out a "cube" of food.  I either set them in the fridge in the morning to defrost or pop them in the microwave on the defrost setting for a few seconds.  Super easy and much more tasty than the jar foods.  

Samantha - posted on 02/11/2009

I also make my daughter's baby food. I try to buy fresh organic produce, but because it is winter, that is sometimes hard to come by. If I can't find the food in the produce section, I will go to the frozen section. According to Fresh Baby, it is the best alternative to fresh. Try to avoid additives. You really just need the food frozen, no salt or anything else.

I steam the veggies and fruits in the microwave until they are fork tender., then use the water is was steamed in to help puree and then into the freezer. I've heard steaming is the best to go with because you don't destroy as much of the vitamins and minerals as you would if you were to boil. Usually can get batches of 36+ servings and takes no more than 30 minutes from start to finish. So each week I really just need to make a batch of the new food that we will be trying and maybe one other food that she is close to running out on.

As for foods to try to avoid, the only ones I know off the top of my head are honey, dairy, eggs, and peanuts. I usually try to match the food with what she would be eating if we were using the store bought.

There is also a group on Circle of Mom's that can help with making your own baby food. You should check them out.

Rebecca - posted on 02/11/2009

I make my own food for my baby. I use fresh vegetables and fruit and boil them til soft, puree it and freeze it in cubes - makes it easier as they are portioned and you can eventually mix different things together. We started with rice cereal (you can buy at local supermarkets) then progressed to carrot (be careful it stains everything!), apple, zucchini, sweet potato, pear and now at 7 and half months he eats most vegetables, most fruits (minus citrus and kiwi) and had progressed onto meat (chicken, beef etc)

He loves his food!! There is a few books available that i have used and many websites that will provide information but the main rule is start with pureed low allergenic foods and you cant go wrong. Also start with one food at a time when it is new so you can detect a possbile allergy quickly - try the new food early in the day i.e. breakfast or lunch so the baby is awake for a period afterwards

I also give two courses - one savoury and one sweet to encourage him to eat more

Hope that helps

cheers

Gabriella - posted on 02/11/2009

Hi.  I make my own baby food and it's really easy.  I use www.wholesomebabyfood.com as my resource.  Nothing else.

This site has everything you will need and an answer to every question!

I'm not up to doing meats yet, but we are working our way through fruits and veggies.  So far my daughter has loved everything (except green beans - she eats them but they are not her favoritie).