Homemade Baby Food

Sharen - posted on 06/17/2009

Yeah for trying! You go girl! Sometimes it is not the food at all, but the texture. Keep trying to get your home-made as smooth as possible. Remember, those ready mades have lots of salt and sometimes sugar--and you don't want that!!! Don't worry about the faces, she's just processing. Take it slow, but keep trying. You don't say how old she is...maybe wait a couple weeks and try again. Babies change rapidly in all ways and brain development is going like a high speed race. What she doesn't like today, might be fine tomorrow. see my website for more ideas for babies www.sharenpearson.com

Sandra - posted on 06/17/2009

There really are no "rules" when it comes to feeding a six month + baby. It's highly recommended to simply give them whatever the rest of the family is eating, with the exception of obvious choking hazards like steak. There's no need to make anything special, puree foods, or not spice something. Simply slide baby some of your food. There's really nothing to think about, it's easy!

Jana - posted on 06/17/2009

On the nitrate levels, cook them soon after purchase and do not add any of the cooking liquid when you puree; some of the nitrates are cooked off into the liquid. I use organic veggies with either boiled water or breast milk. I found that a very smooth puree made with breast milk made all the difference in getting my little guy to eat home made veggies. Good luck!

Katie - posted on 06/16/2009

Quoting Amy:

I just want to say to be careful when you make your baby food, carrotts can have very high nitrate levels, which is dangerous for babies. For carrotts, jarred food is safer as they have to monitor the amount of nitrates in them.

I have been advised to cook and prep all veggies within a day of purchase so avoid nitrate levels being too high. Have you heard this? or should I stick to jarred carrotts anywats?

Oh, and everything I buy is organic and locally grown...I'm lucky to live 2 blocks from the market! 

Amy - posted on 06/16/2009

I just want to say to be careful when you make your baby food, carrotts can have very high nitrate levels, which is dangerous for babies. For carrotts, jarred food is safer as they have to monitor the amount of nitrates in them.

Nicki - posted on 06/16/2009

A food processor or blender would definitely help. I do all of mine in the food processor. I do have a food mill as well, and will probably use that once Liam is a little older so that the food is a little chuckier.

Katie - posted on 06/16/2009

Quoting Nicole:

I also make homemade baby food, and as another poster said, it could be a texture thing. Jarred baby food is super smooth, you could almost drink it. I recently made my son some green beans and he hates them! He cries whenever I give him a bite. Even when I mixed them with apples (his fave) he still wouldn't eat them. I think it's because of the texture, it's too hard to eat. Sweet potatoes blend really smooth, so do bananas. Try pushing the veggies through a strainer to get a super smooth consistentcy.

You guys are probably right with the texture thing....seeing as they are basic veggies and I would assume homemade or jarred they would taste similar. I did notice when I make my own they def. are more chunky. I use a food mill and add some water while I mix it well, but they always have this chunky texture. Maybe I will try and make them thinner by using a food processor.

Nicole - posted on 06/16/2009

I also make homemade baby food, and as another poster said, it could be a texture thing. Jarred baby food is super smooth, you could almost drink it. I recently made my son some green beans and he hates them! He cries whenever I give him a bite. Even when I mixed them with apples (his fave) he still wouldn't eat them. I think it's because of the texture, it's too hard to eat. Sweet potatoes blend really smooth, so do bananas. Try pushing the veggies through a strainer to get a super smooth consistentcy.

Nicki - posted on 06/16/2009

Do you mix some liquid (breast milk, formula or water) in with the veggies when you puree them? I find that helps them come out a bit smoother and thinner. When I puree my veggie without adding liquid, they are a bit too thick for my little guy. Sometimes I even add more liquid when I thaw it out to feed him. Peas and green beans are really hard to get smooth because of the skins. I haven't given him green beans yet, but he's had the peas. The first few times, he made horrible faces and gagged a little, but now eats them just fine. I would just say keep trying!

Katie - posted on 06/16/2009

I tried mixing milk in it today that didn't seem to change anything. I actually own the Super Baby Food book, but gave it a look today and I feel she isn't ready for most of the recipes. I did use it for general veggie cooking methods though.
Thanks for the ideas guys, I will try mixing the jarred and homemade together for a few days. Hopefully she will come around. It is actually kind of funny to watch her.

Helen - posted on 06/16/2009

My daughter was gagging on her veges so I'd heat them up and if that didn't work I added pureed apples and down it went!

Sarah - posted on 06/16/2009

Have you tried changing the texture? My son was super picky about textures and if the foods weren't to the right texture we'd get the gagging right away. You might check the temperature as well...LO was weird about that too for a long time.

Tonya - posted on 06/16/2009

If you are breastfeeding do you mix the veggies with your milk? Also I founds a terrific book for homemade food from infant all the way to toddler age. It is called Super Baby Food. I also agree with Kathleen.....maybe mix a bit of jarred with the homemade and take a little out each time until it is only the homemade stuff. I've been making my own fruits and veggies and mix them with breast milk and my baby loves them. Hope this helps a little.

Kathleen - posted on 06/16/2009

well could try how some moms start children on milk when they're coming off of breastmilk or formula. For a lil bit buy some "jarred" food. Mix it in with the homemade stuff. Lil more each time with homemade.She'll figured it out...there's also maybe some other ideas on wholesomebabyfood.com I think is the site. Not sure what else. would work for that.