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Making your own baby food is not only less expensive and healthier, it's EASY to make. Here are some basics for getting started:

1. Get the right tools.

You'll only need the following:
-some type of blender/mixer: I use a hand mixer and a mini food processor; others have found that a blender works just as well; as long as it purees the food well, you're golden
-ice cube trays: you'll transfer your pureed food into the trays

-freezer bags: I transfer the frozen cubes of food into the freezer bags, and label the bags w/ the name of food and the date; when it's time to feed the baby, I just pop a couple of cubes in the microwave
-sharpie: use to label the freezer bags

2. Cook your food.
You can steam, bake, microwave, or boil your fruits and veggies. Steaming retains the most nutrients, so this is what I usually do. I use a rice cooker/steamer, and it works well. The AAP recommends that you don't offer your baby any raw fruits or vegetables until they are at least 8 months of age because of possible bacteria, so I always steam all of my food. Bananas and avocados are the only exception.

3. Puree your food.
Add liquid to your food to achieve the desired thinness. Make it thinner for babies just starting to eat. I normally add some of the water I used to steam my food. It contains some of the nutrients from the food. If I'm going to serve the food to my baby then, I'll let the food cool and stir in some breast milk. If I'm going to freeze the food, I'll freeze it w/o the breast milk and add it in later.

4. Feed baby
Let the food cool and then feed it to your baby in small increments. Babies new to eating solids may only take a teaspoon or two in the beginning, so be sure only to put a small amount of food in the bowl. Because of bacteria growth, you'll have to throw out any unused food that comes in contact w/ the spoon that's been in your baby's mouth.

5. Freeze remaining food (food that hasn't come in contact w/ baby's saliva)
I normally make enough food for a few meals. Put the food in ice cube trays and let it cool in the refrigerator. Many don't recommend that you cool the food on the counter because of bacteria growth. Once the food cools, put the ice trays in the freezer. When the food has frozen in the trays, put the food cubes in a freezer bag. Label and date the bag.

6. Reheat food
When you're ready to feed the baby again, just put a cube or two in a microwave safe bowl and heat it up. This is where I normally add the breast milk or a little more water to thin it out.
You can also heat the food by putting it in a small bowl and then putting the small bowl in a larger bowl of hot water. They also make food warmers as well.

Be sure you stir and test the food before giving it to baby.

Happy eating!

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