Summary: Get a leg up on those picky toddler years, when most toddlers declare that they don't like this food or they don't like that food , by making your own and introducing them to all the great tastes of real food now! Making your own at home is efficient, cost effective and best of all, gives you the opportunity to introduce your baby to food that the rest of the family is already eating, so she learns to like it early on. It takes very little effort and is quite rewarding. It is also rewarding to see exactly what your baby is eating.
The tools needed to make your own at home are a standard kitchen blender (or food processor), ice cube trays, a strainer and a fork. Viola! You're ready to begin making your own in the comfort of your own home.
When selecting the fresh fruit and vegetables to use, it's recommended to only purchase what you will use up within two days - what you can convert within two days. Once you have made the food it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days or frozen as long as two months.
Preparing the food is easy! Make sure that you wash your hands, all produce and all vegetables. Peel the skin and remove the pit from fruits, if there are any. All vegetables and hard fruits (like apples, prunes, pears) need to be softened by cooking before pureeing or grinding. You can maintain the vitamins by steaming the vegetables and using as little bit of liquid as possible. Use breast milk, formula or cooking water (from boiled or steamed vegetables) as you puree or grind the fruits and vegetables, if liquid is needed. You want a soup-like consistency. Rice and grains can be cooked according to the package, and then pureed. Meat and poultry should have the fat and skin removed before cooking and then pureed. For older babies, meat can be chopped into fine pieces in lieu of pureeing.
More specifically….
For fruit and firm vegetables:
Peel the skin, remove the core or any seeds within and cut it into small pieces. Place in a pan with just enough water to bring it to a boil. Simmer until tender and drain. Strain and puree.
For soft vegetables:
Wash the vegetables, cut into small pieces and steam or boil until tender. Strain and puree.
Ice cube trays are an excellent choice for freezing tablespoon size portions of food for your baby. When you select each day for your baby, simply pop out the cubes of your choice and allow them to thaw. No heating is necessary, your baby will probably prefer the it at room temperature. If the thawed food appears thick, thin it out with breast milk, water or formula.
Precautions to be aware that due to the potential of nitrates in these particular foods, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend making your own baby food using spinach, carrots or beets.
Do not add any spices, salt or pepper.
Your baby only needs her food pureed until she is able to use her fingers to grasp the food herself and put it in her mouth - If your baby can pass The Cheerio Test, then she is ready to step up from pureed foods to finger foods such as cut up fruits and vegetables.
Enjoy this time with your baby!
