Make Your Own Baby Food

It is becoming more common for parents to make their own baby food. The rising number of recalls and outbreaks from store bought items can make anyone stop and think about this. Also, making your own can save on your grocery bill. Please note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends beginning solid foods between four to six months old, but many doctors suggest waiting until they are at least six months old.

The very first solid food that your little one should be introduced to is a single grain cereal, and breast milk or formula should remain the primary source of their nutrition. Once they are eating cereals well you can begin to offer different foods.

There are many simple and cost effective foods that you can start out with. Bananas, potatoes, peaches, sweet peas, and avocados are only a few of them you can try. As with any foods, always make sure you only introduce one new food every few days. This is especially true if your family has any history of food allergies. If you are only letting your little one have a new food every few days, it will make it much easier to spot any potential problems foods.

If your baby is at least six months old you can probably get away with mashing any of the foods with your fork to a consistency that is good for them. If they are younger, you can use a food processor or blender. There are gadgets on the market made specifically for mashing foods like this for babies. However, they can be expensive and difficult to clean out.

It can be very easy to incorporate your baby’s food from whatever it is you are already preparing for the rest of your family. If you are making steak and potatoes, simply take a small part of the potato and mash it up to the desired consistency. No extra effort, very little time, and you didn’t have to pay a dollar for a tiny serving of food. If you have some veggies included in your family’s dinner, why not set aside a small bit of them once soft, and mash them up? If you add salt or any kind of spices, be sure to take out your little one’s serving before doing so.

On the other hand, if you prefer to do things in advance, there is a multitude of ways to prepare weeks worth of baby food. One of the easiest methods is to prepare the foods that you choose, and then fill ice cube trays with them. You can simply put it in the freezer and take out a block each time you want to serve some to your little one.

Making your own baby food does not have to be time consuming or expensive; it can take as little time as you want (taking from the meal you are already preparing), or you can make an afternoon of it. Just be sure to watch them for any problem foods and not to introduce too many at a time.

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