Make Healthy Baby Food

Save some money on baby food--make your own! Healthy, tasty baby food can be had for far less than you would have paid in the grocery store. It's not that difficult! Plus, you can enjoy knowing exactly what food goes into your baby.

Ingredients

Pumpkin Puree Baby Food

  • 1 sugar pumpkin
  • Water
  • A pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg.

Banana-Cado Baby Food

  • Ripe avocado
  • 1 Banana

Steps

  1. Find small containers to store the food. Sterilize your containers in the Load-a-Dishwasher or sterilizer.
  2. Buy Choose-Fruit or vegetables that are at the peak of ripeness. You can also use frozen food if you'd like, which can be fresher if the fruit/vegetable is out of season. Look at the ingredients of frozen portions carefully to avoid any additives like sugar or salt.
  3. Clean the fruit/veggie carefully and remove any rotting spots. Peel the fruit. Steam the veggies or cook them in the microwave in a bit of water. Follow the directions and make sure the food is soft. It is not necessary to cook the fruit.
  4. Chop the food in a food processor until it is very smooth. Add warm water if necessary until you get a smooth consistency.
  5. Pour a single serving size into each container and freeze immediately.

Pumpkin Puree Baby Food

  1. Cut the pumpkin in half. Remove all the seeds, taking care not to miss any.
  2. Place each half face down in a baking pan. Cover with {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of water.
  3. Bake at 400˚F for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Take the pumpkin out of the oven when the skin is wrinkled and the pumpkin is soft when pressed.
  4. Scrape out the insides. Mash or puree until smooth and free of chunks. Remove any seeds you may have missed.

Banana-Cado Baby Food

  1. Peel the avocado. Take the pit out. Then, use a fork to mash into a paste.
  2. Peel the banana. Use a fork to mash into a paste.
  3. Combine the pastes in a food processor. Puree until mixture is smooth and free of chunks.
  4. Finished



Tips

  • Consider choosing Choose-the-Most-Important-Organic-Foods Eliminating or limiting the amount of pesticides your child ingests is a good idea. Organic foods may be a bit more expensive, but it doesn't take much of one fruit, vegetable, or portion of meat to feed a baby.
  • Make sure all of your equipment is very clean before using it for baby food.
  • You must strain the seeds out of the mixed berries using a large strainer.
  • Pears and other similar fruits will turn brown quickly, so work quickly.
  • Depending on the child's age, you can cook your own dinner, and puree a portion that's appropriate for the baby to eat.
  • Try feeding baby a variety of foods---even if you yourself dislikes them! You may be surprised to find out your child just loves prunes, peas, lima beans, and more.
  • You can also freeze homemade baby food in ice cube trays. When frozen, just pop them out and store in a plastic freezer bag.
  • Buy fruits and vegetables locally and at peak of season when available. The fresher the produce, the tastier, more nutritious, and inexpensive it is likely to be. Although almost always safe, foods imported from abroad are more likely to be tainted or contaminated than fruits and vegetables grown locally. Plus, a trip to a local Farmer's Market is a great outing for a stroller ride.
  • A few "adult foods" in the supermarket are perfectly fine for baby without any additional preparation, such as pureed squash, unsweetened applesauce, and plain unsweetened whole milk yogurt. You can save money by comparing prices of such foods against the same type marketed to infants.

Warnings

  • Only introduce a new food every 3-4 days. If there is an allergic reaction, you will know the exact food.
  • Ask your pediatrician before making baby food or feeding solids.
  • Very young babies should not have cows milk products--only formula or breast milk.
  • Babies under 1 year of age should not have honey or corn syrup,it could contain spores of botulism.
  • Avoid introducing citrus foods and tomatoes to babies under 1 year -- the acidity can be hard on a baby's digestive system.
  • Avoid strawberries, nuts, and corn in the first year to avoid early allergies.
  • Do not add sugar, butter, salt or honey to your recipes.
  • Avoid using spinach or collard greens before your baby is 1 year old as it contains nitrates that can be very harmful to young babies.

Things You'll Need

  • Fresh or frozen fruit or veggies appropriate for babies age
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Strainer
  • Food processor
  • Warm water
  • Food storage containers
  • Dish detergent
  • Hungry baby

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Sources and Citations

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