Do-it-yourself baby food

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by Elizabeth Blankenship

Created on: May 03, 2009 Last Updated: August 10, 2011

Your baby's health, well-being and happiness are easy to achieve when you adopt a do-it-yourself philosophy. Homemade baby foods are easy, safe, cheaper and more nutritious. Remember to keep it simple.

Supplies needed to make do-it-yourself baby food:

~ Purchase a small 2 to 4 cup food chopper.

Brands to look for are Black & Decker, or Proctor Silex. These brands make models ranging in price between $10 and $25 dollars. They will pay for themselves within a month or so.

~ Fruits and vegetables. (To ensure that your baby food is free of pesticides, opt for organically grown)

Your baby should start out with simple fruits and veggies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that baby begins eating solid food at six months. However, each child is different, and develops at their own pace. To be safe, check with your child's pediatrician, and make the decision together.

~ Several small freezer/fridge friendly plastic containers. (To store baby food in)

Look for small single size plastic containers. Reheating, chilling and serving right from the baby food containers is not recommended. They can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Use small single serve containers, wash them in the dish washer. Don't have a dish washer? Sterilize the containers in between uses, same as baby bottles.

~ A gallon of distilled or bottled spring water.

You have all your supplies, and are ready to start making healthy baby food for your baby. Shop the grocery fliers, and opt for simple organic fruits or vegetables. Introduce vegetables first. Your baby will love fruits because they are sweet, and yummy. Introducing vegetables can be a little difficult to do. So start with them.

Types of simple organic vegetables, and fruits to start with:

Sweet potato, peas, carrots, bananas, and apples

Simple organic vegetables, and fruits are easy to work with. The website www.babycenter.com recommends introducing solids gradually, one at a time. That means introducing sweet potatoes only for a few days. Look for any allergic food reactions such as hives, rashes, bloating, gas or even diarrhea. If there is no reaction, stick with that solid food for awhile. Later you may introduce another solid food to your baby.

How to prepare do-it-your-self baby food:

~ Peal or skin the fruits and vegetables.

~ Wash thoroughly.

~ Dice up into small pieces.

~ Boil or steam until mushy in texture (use distilled or spring water).

~ Drain, let cool down.

~ Place in food chopper.

~ Add a little distilled, or spring water.

~ Turn on chopper, and chop until a smooth texture (may need to add more water)

~ You may not get it just right at first, just like with anything else, practice makes a difference.

~ Consistency (similar to jarred baby food).

~ Portion (use single serve containers).