Tuesday, 26 August 2008
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Homemade Baby Food
When my son was born, I didn't really consider making my own baby food for him. I was trying to figure out the whole mothering thing and for some reason venturing into homemade baby food seemed like just one more thing I had to learn and figure out. This time around though, I decided to have a go at it and I am so glad that I did! First of all, baby food is so expensive right now! It's gone up a decent amount since R was a baby, and that was only 3 years ago. So far I've made carrots, green beans, peas, pears, apples, bananas and peaches. I want to do sweet potatoes and squash yet, but haven't been able to do so. I can purchase a 5 lb bag of organic baby carrrots at Costco for about $6 or so and make enough carrots to last her for a few months.
I know there are different methods, but what I do is peel whatever produce I am using, cut it into smaller pieces. Steam until very tender, and then put in my food processor. If necessary, I'll add a little water to thin it out, but A actually likes it a little thicker, so for the most part I've been letting it as is. I've also been doing some other things, like purchasing large jars of natural (no sugar or added ingredients) applesauce if I'm low on the home made. I am getting low on peaches and pears and the next two weeks are quite busy for us - I was afraid I wouldn't have time to make more, but today I was at the store and bought 6 jars of canned peaches and 6 of canned pears. They were all natural and canned in 100% juice, with no sugar added. This afternoon I'm going to stick them in the food processor and within a few minutes I'll have plenty of peaches and pears. I prefer to use fresh, but this will work, too.
I've heard that a lot of people freeze the baby food in ice cube trays, but I've never done that. When I make baby food I make so much at a time, so I would have to have tons of ice cube trays to be able to freeze them that way. I went to my local grocery store and asked to purchase the plastic containers that they use at the deli counter. I purchased 1/2 pint containers for $0.10 a piece. I fill them about 3/4 of the way full and each container lasts A about 3-4 meals. I'll get a few containers out each week so she can have variety. It's been working really well.
Now that A is almost 7 months old, I want to start thinking about adding protein items to her diet in the next few months. I bought a little mini-food processor that I'll eventually start putting our table food in for her. I did that with my son - as he got older, I would put whatever we had for dinner in the processor for him.
Have you had success with making your own baby food? Any tips for adding meat and beans into her diet?
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Comments (11)
I made my own baby food, but had to do it differently because my son had some issues with growth. I just used whatever I had made for dinner, stuck it in my magic bullet with the additives that the nutrition suggested and voila! Dinner.
As far a protein, turkey is a great protein so if you're ready to start introducing meats, I'd start there.
we didn't have a food processor or anything like that when M was starting out on solids, and we never got around to buying one. i don't know why. she went through the baby food jars quick enough though to switch to whatever we were eating...aka she didn't really like the jar foods. i tried it, they're not very plesant tasting. i will most definitely make my own for baby #2 when the time comes, and even for my nephew when he can eat solids.
I had a little food mill and made all my babies' food. It was easy. Just take some from our food before adding anything spicy or saucy or whatever (especially when they are just starting out) and mill it and serve! What could be easier?
I got a baby food grinder at the local Amish dry goods store and used that, although it did not grind it finely. It doesn't work as well for smaller babies, but works great for when they start eating on their own and can't manage regular food with their spoons. As far as real baby food, I did freeze it in ice cube trays and it worked well, I'd just pop a cube or two in the microwave and it thawed in no time. I made green beans and squash and since I always have homemade applesauce on hand I often feed baby that as well.
I agree, it is so much more cost effective and healthy to make your own baby food. I can't bear to pay so much in the store for bought baby food!!
I did it exactly like that for my daughter. As for adding potein, I just food processed whatever we were having for dinner, now (she's 10 months) I just feed her straight from the table. I still puree her fruits and vegitables because of the convinience, but for dinner, it's just whatever we are having!
I liked making my own baby food because it actually instilled within myself to eat healthier as well.. buying in bulk often forced me to eat whatever my son was.. as for adding protein into the diet.. I can't remember on any good advice ideas that I did...
Boiled chicken purees really well, but it stinks to high heaven. 'Course, I'm pregnant, so that's one reason the smell makes me vomit.
My daughter is 10 months old and we've never bought baby food. Just made our own - pretty much exactly like you are. By 7 months, we were just giving our daughter whatever we had for dinner - sometimes blended up and sometimes just chopped up really fine with a butcher knife. As for adding meat/beans, spaghetti is always a good way to go. You can just use ground beef or turkey in the sauce, and put noodles and sauce in the blender.
BTW - the ice cube trays would've never worked for me either for the same reason.
I have been giving my son whatever I have for dinner since he started eating solid meals (not just tasting) at 6 months. I used to grind it up in a food processor, but now I don't. I used to chop it really fine, but I don't do that anymore. I just cut into bite sized pieces and sometimes I let him have at it. I just watch to make sure he gets enough in his mouth.
This is so cool. When I have children, I want to try this.
I was really looking into making my own baby food. So far Carter has only tried the Beechnut brand apple sauce and the bananas. Right now the price isn't so bad I normally get 4 feedings before throwing the jar out but he's a growing boy and I know that will change soon! My friend makes sweet potatoes and just boils and places in processor (as you said)
When he starts eating more I'm definately going to make my own food, no question! 10 minutes in the kitchen can save you alot!
Even if you can afford to buy your baby loads of babyfood, just think that you can put that money in the bank for him and that money adds up!