How to Make Your Own Baby Food
By: Angela Meredith
Today, a wide range of baby food products from basic jarred Gerber
to organic pouches in unique flavor combinations are available at your local
market. No matter how creative the packaging or interesting the flavor combinations,
commercially prepared baby food cannot overcome this one important fact: homemade baby food is better for baby than commercially prepared products.
Homemade baby food:
·
Taste better and is more nutritious than
commercial products because it’s made with fresh, unprocessed ingredients.
·
Is less expensive than commercial products.
Compare the price of produce and commercial baby food by ounce and you’ll find
that making your own baby food is 3–4 times less expensive than buying
prepared items.
·
Is environmentally friendly because there is no
packaging to dispose of. And if you use locally grown organic produce, you further
reduce your carbon footprint.
·
Is more aligned with the foods and flavors that
are eaten in your home.
·
Can be made to suit your baby’s taste and
texture preferences.
 |
| Use organic produce from your local co-op, growers market, or farm. |
Perhaps you don’t need convincing when it comes to the why of making your own baby food, and
you’re more interested in the what, when,
and how of the process. Here’s a
condensed guide:
When is baby ready?
Every baby and family is different, so naturally readiness
for solids will vary greatly. It’s commonly recommended to start solids at 6
months. However, some babies are ready as early as 4 months and others not
until after their first birthdays. Ultimately, it’s up to baby, and he will let
you know with one or more of these common signs:
- Baby can hold her head up and sit up well on her own.
- Baby shows interest in what you’re eating by watching you eat, responding to the sights and smells of the kitchen, or by fussing at mealtime as though he’s hungry.
- Baby will accept being fed solids either using mom or dad’s finger, a spoon, or by self-feeding.
Solids and
breastfeeding
 |
| The national breastfeeding symbol. |
Sometimes moms are concerned that beginning solids will
precipitate weaning, and so delay feeding baby his or her first food. Truth is,
most babies will continue to breast feed in addition to eating solids for as
long as needed or allowed. Even after solids, breast milk or formula is the
most complete nutrition for your baby and should be continued throughout the first
year or, for breast milk, even longer.
Food safety
Food allergies, botulism, and food sensitivities are some
concerns when introducing solids. The most common food allergies are: milk,
egg, wheat, nuts, shellfish, fish, and soy. Use the following “new food process”
to easily identify the cause of a reaction should there be one: feed baby only one
new food at a time, and feed it to her for 2–3 days without introducing another
new food. Also, avoid honey during baby’s first year, as it carries a risk of botulism.
First foods
 |
| Carrots are rich in vitamin A, taste sweet, and are filling for little tummies. |
Many pediatricians and parent resources suggest that boxed
rice cereal is the best first food. It’s a low-allergen food and processed for easy
digestion. The flip side is that because rice cereal is so heavily processed it
does not resemble actual rice. Organic and fortified brands are available,
which may be the best choice if you want to include rice cereal in your baby’s
diet.
Though rice cereal is not bad for baby, there are more nutritious
and much tastier options:
- Sweet potato
- Apple
- Pear
- Squash
- Carrots
- Avocado
- Banana
Tools of the trade
Once baby is ready and you’ve decided on the first food,
it’s time to assemble your tool kit, which can be done with items you already
have in your kitchen:
·
For preparing fresh produce you’ll need a sharp knife,
cutting board, and a vegetable peeler.
·
For cooking the peeled and chopped produce
you’ll need a few pots and pans.
·
For turning the cooked fruits and veggies into
baby food you’ll need a small food processor or blender and a strainer.
·
For storing your now cooked baby food, you’ll
need a set of ice cube trays (or Little Bites Freezer Trays) for freezing, and
some gallon-size freezer bags in which to store the frozen cubes.
·
For storing fresh food directly in the fridge,
you’ll need an assortment of small snack-size containers.
 |
| I prefer a small food processor because it works well with small to medium portions and takes up less space. |
How to cook it
You have four options when it comes to preparing baby food: steam,
stew, broil, or bake. I choose my cooking method depending on how much time is
available, what the weather is like, and what else I’m cooking. Stovetop
preparations take less time than in the oven and don’t heat up the house, which
is critical during the hot summer months here in Florida. During the winter, I enjoy
a nice cozy kitchen and often use the oven to cook other meals, so it’s easy to
pop in an extra dish.
Some nutrients are lost during the cooking process and can
be recaptured by adding the cooking water back into your puree. Once you’ve cooked
the fruit or veggie until it is soft and easily pierced with a fork, puree with
your food processor; add liquid as necessary and, if needed, strain to achieve the
best consistency for your baby.
 |
| This combination of hand-held strainer, large measuring cup, and small bowl works great. I use the small bowl to push the blended food down through the strainer. |
How to store and
serve
Serve baby food fresh or freeze it using the ice cube tray
method to create a stash of quick healthy meals. Refrigerated food is good for
up to three days, while frozen food is good for up to three months. When it’s
time to feed baby, heat the baby food until steaming and then cool to room
temperature before serving. Do not reuse partially eaten portions in which you’ve
introduced a utensil that’s been in baby’s mouth. When we put a spoon into
baby’s mouth and then back into the food we transfer bacteria from one to the
other. To avoid wasting portions, spoon a small amount of food from the storage
container into a dish and feed baby from the dish.
 |
| Small bowls made of durable plastic or glass are perfect for feeding baby. |
How to make the time?
Making your own baby food can seem like a daunting,
time-consuming chore, but the truth is it’s as simple as steaming a pot of
veggies. It’s easy to cook foods for everyday meals that can be adapted for
baby. This cuts down on additional cooking and meets the ultimate goal of
feeding baby what you’re eating as much as possible. When you have time,
prepare batches of your baby’s favorites to freeze and store for quick and
healthy meals.
Another way to work it into a busy schedule is to take batch-making
one-step at a time: wash and chop in the morning after breakfast, cook at lunch
and then puree and store at dinner. Also, “mashable” foods like bananas and
avocados are good to keep around for quick, no-cook meals.
Commercially
prepared baby food is meant to be a convenience item, so use it as such when
traveling or out and about, and then re-used the jars for storing homemade
foods in the refrigerator.
Certain moments with my children, like watching them sleep
peacefully or eat a healthy home cooked meal, bring me serenity. I breathe
easier during these moments, and am grateful. When I prepared and fed them
their first baby foods, I felt that it was in investment in their health, and
one of the best gifts I could give. I wish the same for you and yours.
Sincerely,
Angela
850-345-8242
Bio:
Angela Meredith is a writer, editor, mother, and wife living
and working in Tallahassee, Florida. You can read more of her writing here.
www.ecologicalbabies.com
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