Making my own baby food. Any suggestions?

Bridget - posted on 01/07/2010

I with my other kids I would just puree whatever we were having. Or if I was really busy and I would always have organic soups on hand like chicken noodle and puree them wherever we were. Old banannas work great- just mush. Let your pears get really soft and just peel them and you have lunch! Frozen veggies are really easy too just cook them and puree- no recipes needed. I always try to keep boiled chicken in the fridge and frozen fish in the freezer for the little one- its soft and easy, I hope that helps.Oh, Oatmeal is a easy fix too add whatever dried fruit you like to it and some milk to it.

Connie - posted on 01/07/2010

I also recommend wholesomebabyfoods.com. It's great as it suggests the types of fruits/vegetables to start your baby on, by age type. With boiling, it also mentions that the water used to boil certain food items should not be reused, while others can be reused.

Amanda - posted on 01/06/2010

Kaitlyn started on solids at 3.5 months best thing I ever did because she finally started to sleep during the day. All i do steam a varity of vegies and fruits and mix together, I add her formula when I warm it for her lunch or dinner to amke it a bit more runny, but I just freeze her food in normal containers, just put enough food in there that is going to be eaten within 48 hours of defrosting. easy as.

Liz - posted on 01/06/2010

I tried my hardest to hold out on solids until 6 months but my son was crying for food and imitating me eating from 4 months. At 5 months he started to lose weight so I decided I had no choice but to start solids. Because of his weight loss I started with avocado (rich in good fats) which is so easy to prepare, no boiling just scoop and mash. I have been told by my health nurse and have read a few articles that say to introduce only one food every 3 to 5 days, that way if something gives them an upset tummy or allergic reaction then you can isolate what it was. I also use a Magic Bullet they are fantastic, so little mess. His favourite at the moment is avocado and banana together it is really yummy!

Whitney - posted on 01/06/2010

I found a wonderful website called wholesomebabyfood.com. It is fantastic!! They give all sorts of recipes and when to add different veggies and fruits to help prevent allergies and stomach upsets. The also tell you when you can add spices to the baby's food. I love this site. I just found it the other day. It even has storage techniques. It's great! I am so excited I found it!!

Gina - posted on 01/06/2010

Yes, don't boil! Baking is best in my opinion! :o)

Stephanie - posted on 01/06/2010

I also use the site wholesomebabyfood.com...great site. But dont boil your babys veggies and fruits. boiling takes all the nutrients out. instead steam or bake them. Like with something like an acorn squash I just halfed it, scooped out the seeds, put it in a shallow baking dish, added a half cup of water and covered it with tin foil. Put it in the oven for about 45 mins at 350 and its done. Blend and put into ice cube trays :)

Lynda - posted on 01/06/2010

I got all my info for making my own baby food at www.wholesomebabyfood.com Very helpful site. :)

Gina - posted on 01/06/2010

I use ice cube trays too and cover in clingwrap! I usually do about 10 trays at a time! I found an AWESOME website that gives you all the tips, which foods to introduce at 4-6mths and which ones to wait till 8mths. Sofia is my 3rd and I made baby food for my other two along with jarred but this time around I'm making it myself with my Magic Bullet...very easy!! Here's the link, Hope it helps: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/sweetpo... Just click on homepage.

Paige - posted on 01/06/2010

YAY YaY YaY!!! Im glad Im not the only one doing this! my husband said Im a crazy hippie :). I just throw it all in the food processor and there it is! I do mix breast milk in with some of mine, there is a sight on FB for pots that are additive free, for bigger servings.

Mikayla - posted on 01/06/2010

my sister gave me 1st food frezzer pots from mothercare, i use them instead of ice cubes, but its all the same!. i just just fresh veg boiled and bledned, my son it just starting to have meats, ive ovened chicken and turkey on it own, no oil or seasoning and just added it to fresh veg to blend. my son is now 6 months and apparenty they can eat everything finger foods at this age, called baby lead weaning, i did try it but he just sucked stu and spat out lumps, so i felt he wasnt actually eating enough. so im sticking with pureed or now!

Maghan - posted on 01/06/2010

I make my own baby food and use ice trays. But the best way to cook it is steaming as much as possible. If you have to boil then use as little water as possible and add some of the water back in when mashing. Boiling causes nutrients to leak into the water. Also doctors are now saying it is ok to give babies seasonings, that they can handle more than thought. So the reccomendation now is to just mash whatever you are having then feed that to them. That way they will aclimate to what you are already making on a daily basis.

Laura - posted on 01/05/2010

I do peel before cooking. I recommend book Easy Baby Food and/or Super Foods. I like how they have suggested menus and recommended 'timetables' for introducing cereals, veggies, fruits, protein, etc... The first one actually instructs to do the cooking in the microwave (cut up in 1 inch cubes or so) and then blend. Ice cube trays work awesome! I did this for my daughter, now 2 1/2 and I will start with my 6 month old shortly! Is super convenient and economical (and you know exactly what baby is eating).

Iysha - posted on 01/05/2010

The Ice Cube trays are an awesome idea...and like Rebecca said, you could cover them in plastic wrap. For my daughter, I plan on just mashing up the fruits and veggies we eat but without salt or anything else added until she gets older.

Alisha - posted on 01/05/2010

Quoting Hanlie:

Ice cubes works great! You dont need any recipies for baby food. They need to learn how the food actually tast and get used to it before you add anything. I make all my babyfood myself. Did it when my 2 yr old started on solids and now again with my 5 mnth old. Use fresh veggies. Start wiht soft, sweet veggies like pumpkin or sweet potato. Just boil until soft, mash and freeze in ice cubes. Remember: no salt, sugar or anything. Baby will get used to the taste. At 5½ mnths you can start with protein as well. Mince, Chicken, Fish cooked (again no additives) untill done and then pureed. Start with protein at lunchtimes mixed with the veggies. Cooked fruit eg apples and pears (peeled and stump removed) also works well.

Thanks everyone for the info.  I havent started solids yet but I plan to at about 6 mos.  (in about 2-3 weeks) .  With veggies, do I peel them before I boil?   I bought sweet potatos and planned on making those first.    I plan to give her cereal and rice first anyway but I attend graduate school and wanted to at least make some ahead of time and freeze it.  Im working on switching my diet to a plant based  diet and cutting out sugar too.  Its not that big of an adjustment for me but Im hoping that will help teach my daughter the importance of eating fresh foods and eating healthy.  I also plan to breastfeed until she weans herself or at least until 12 mos.

Hanlie - posted on 01/05/2010

Ice cubes works great! You dont need any recipies for baby food. They need to learn how the food actually tast and get used to it before you add anything. I make all my babyfood myself. Did it when my 2 yr old started on solids and now again with my 5 mnth old. Use fresh veggies. Start wiht soft, sweet veggies like pumpkin or sweet potato. Just boil until soft, mash and freeze in ice cubes. Remember: no salt, sugar or anything. Baby will get used to the taste. At 5½ mnths you can start with protein as well. Mince, Chicken, Fish cooked (again no additives) untill done and then pureed. Start with protein at lunchtimes mixed with the veggies. Cooked fruit eg apples and pears (peeled and stump removed) also works well.

Louise - posted on 01/05/2010

I use ice cube trays. Cover them in cling film then pop them out into freezer bags.

Rebecca - posted on 01/03/2010

Cover with plastic wrap if you want to cover them but ice cube trays are awesome for making your own food! There is very litle waste as you just take a cube as needed and as your child gets a bigger appatite you just add another cube to the dish:)