More and more resources are popping up online, regarding the new hype of make-your-own baby food, as many parents, becoming more aware and weary of all the unhealthy additives and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) being sneakily placed within our families’ diets, are looking for ways to raise their children more naturally. Luckily, making your own baby food is not only easy, but very cost effective as well.
The first thing that should be considered however, is that although many unique kitchen appliances claim to take the hassle out of making homemade baby food, they really aren’t necessary, as common kitchen supplies work just as well. Here are some pointers:
- Blend food to baby food consistency by using a blender, a small food processor, or even a potato masher.
- Freeze homemade baby food in ice cube trays. Once frozen, they can be easily blended, like ice cubes, or stored in freezer Ziploc bags for up to three months.
Homemade baby food can be introduced to children following the same basic guidelines provided for store bought food.
Some doctors recommend that babies can start eating solid foods as early as 4-months-old. It is more common, however, to start them on a solid food diet between 6-8 months.
“Baby” cereal, or soft-cooked, thinly pureed fruits and vegetables, should be baby’s first solid food experience. Solid foods should be introduced one at a time, and at an interval of 4 days apart. Beginning with cereal isn’t necessary however, and if desired, you may choose to begin with a fruit, like avocado, or a veggie, like butternut squash. For more tips about starting your baby on solid foods, visit (http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/solidfoodstages.htm).
Naturally, your baby will favor some foods over others. Because consistency of food plays a big factor in a baby’s palette, making food thinner or thicker might help.
When my husband and I started feeding our children solid foods, we began with bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and green beans. As the children became older, we would give them what we were eating, in blended form – doing this allowed us to eat as a family.
It is so easy to find numerous baby food recipes online; I have provided just a few resources below. I always recommend experimenting with new things, as it can truly turn making homemade baby food into something fun! If you have older children, get them involved as well; it can be a project for the whole family, which benefits everyone involved.
A few resource sites:
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/index.htm
http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/
Great Blog Post: