Homemade Baby Food

John and I decided that we are making Leighton's baby food.  This way, I can pick out the organic produce and have quality control over what she is eating.  I made my first batch of food today... I made yellow squash.  I will probably let her try it out in maybe a week or two (believe it or not... she is going to be 5 months here in the next week!  Incredible).  We are doing all of the "nasty" foods first (which if she is like her mother, will actually be her favorites!) and then later down the line, we will introduce fruits.  We are doing yellow veggies first and then green.  Anyone else making their little one's food?  If so, are you doing veggies first and then fruits?

[kele1129]

We are totally making our own food as it is simply better and cheaper. I think we are going to start with the superfood of avocado then some veggies.

We most likely will switch around from veggies to fruits to give him a good variety. Also since breastmilk is so sweet I don't think fruits will be a problem for him.

[Whitneylauren]

We are also making all of Mark's baby food. Before he was born I purchased a baby food recipe book loaded with tons of great baby food puree ideas.

Our pediatrician said to do veggies first so the baby will develop a taste for the bitter over the sweet first. Also, when my first was a baby I used regular baby food. I found that as he grew he did not want regular adult foods because the taste was too strong when compared to watered down baby food. I think this is one of the main reasons we had such a hard time switching him over to real adult foods. Even now he refuses most meals....

Like Kele said, Avacado is a superfood. Use formula or breastmilk to make the food to the consistency you want it to be at too.

[AmyC311]

So how do you make your own babyfood? Is there a book or something??? I would like to make Blake's food because it would easier for us. I cook all the time so it would be no big deal to give her the veggies we were eating as well...I am sure there are several books but what do you guys use?

[Whitneylauren]

Amy

The book I purchased was a William sonoma, but you can get them anywhere. I don't know where put it yesterday, but when I find it I will let you know the name. It talks a lot about how you can just puree what you are eating for the baby. Like if you were going to have chicken and rice... just puree that, add some formula to make it the consistency you like and give it to her (of course don't give her meats until she is about 7-8 months).

It is really simply to make baby food. You can steam and puree anything you want to give Blake with a few exceptions. Bananas, for example, just need to be mashed and formula or breast milk needs to be added for, again, consistency. William Sonoma sells a really great baby food maker, if you want to spend the money, that does everything for you in one machine (less cleaning).

[AmyC311]

Thanks! I looked online at the cooker. That is pretty cool..I am so getting one! ;) Is it "Cooking For Baby" (the cook book?) That was the one they had on their website at least.

[ovaz129]

I didn't even think about avacados!!!  That is a wonderful idea...

Amy...

I just cut up the squash (I peeled it because the peel on some veggies is too think for them to begin with... eventually I won't peel it) then I put it in a steamer basket.  I steamed it until it was quite mushy and then put it in the blender and blended it until it was the consistency of baby food.  Same with the carrots, but I had to add formula to give it the right consistency.  If I hadn't added the formula it would have been waaaaay to thick.  Then, I just spooned the food into ice cube trays, froze it, then popped out the "cubes" and put them in ziplock baggies to store them in the freezer.  Don't add salt or spices or anything to the baby food though.  

It is definitely a ton cheaper to do it this way, but also for us we liked that we had control over what she would be eating.  


Whitney...

Share some recipe ideas!! :)  I would love to get some ideas from your experience.

[kele1129]

Here is a great site that has tons of recipes:

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/babyfirstfoods.htm

[Jules31981]

Does it matter if you use fresh or frozen?

[ovaz129]

No... in fact, when things are out of season it is recommened that you use frozen vs. canned (I can't stand canned veggies, so I doubt Leighton will either... haha!)

So, for example... I will use Trader Joe's Organic Frozen Peas when she is ready for those.