Homemade Babyfood

Hi J.! My son is now 8 months old and I make all his baby food. I started doing it thinking that I wouldn't stick with it, but it just makes me feel good about it and it is easy!

I got a book called "Super Baby Food" that I really like.

It is really easy to do. I have a small food processor that I use. I puree the fruits and veggies and then spoon them into ice cube trays, cover them with that press and seal wrap, and feeze it overnight. The next day I pop them out into ziploc storage freezer bags and label them what it is and the date that it needs to be used by.

I hesitated freezing bananas and avacado because I thought that it would turn black. But, the bananas turn a bit brown, but not bad and the avacado stays bright green!!

The only foods that I buy gerber are prunes and carrots. There is something in fresh carrots (even the organic) that is not good for infants...I think it is iodine?!? So you need to buy the baby food carrots. Prunes we use to help when he is constipated.

The order that I introduced foods to him are: prunes, pears, carrots, squash/zuchinni, sweet potatos, green beans, peas, avacado, cantelope, honey dew melon, berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries), broccoli, etc.

Some tips:
Sweet potatos - I get the ones that are individually wrapped that you zap in the microwave...so easy.

Green beans and peas - I buy the steam fresh frozen bags for thes. I hate canned veggies, so I like the frozen or fresh and the frozen steam bags are the best. I got fresh green beans before and steamed them and they didn't turn out as good.

Apples and pears - I peal them with a veggie peeler, cut them into bite size pieces, put in a microwaveable bowl, put a few tablespoons of water, cover with saran wrap, and steam them in the microwave for about 4 minutes on high stirring once. It makes them puree smoother. make sure and pour out the water after steaming these...you don't want them to be too watttery.

Some of the purees are thicker so when I was pureeing them I added a bit of water to smooth it out. When you zap the cubes in the microwave and it is still a bit thick, add some formula or water to thin. If it is too runny (like the melons do) then add a bit of cereal.

Good luck! I love doing it and am surprised that I stuck with it! I work so I think this makes me feel better...more motherly I guess.

Earths Best www.earthsbest.com is a good substitute.
Super Baby Food is good. But if you go to Amazon.com there are a few books about Natural Foods.
GOODLUCK

I have four kids and never bought baby food! It's really easy. Super Baby Food is a great one! I also like the new one "The Petit Appeitite" because it had toddler recipes.
When you are out, just slip a banana in your purse--easy to mash up anywhere!
Just remember to take it slow--the earliest I ever started food was 7 1/2 months and the latest (my last) did not show real interest until 11 months--he is 17 months now and eats like crazy :)

L.

Hi
Sprouts carries a wonderful product but I don't recall the name. Basically it is pureed foods in the frozen section...I think it has the word Mommy in it. I would think you could defrost before leaving the house.

Good luck

I used to make homemade baby food for my, now 19 month old. It is super easy,and cheap! I loved Anabel Karmel. She has a website with a ton of recipes!
When i did buy baby food, i bought Earth's Best at Whole Foods.
Good luck and congrats on your new baby!

It's so easy to make your own food! I highly recommend the Baby Food Processor by Dex Baby products. It's only $19.99 at Babies R Us. Works great, small and portable, and super easy to clean. Also, I thought I had to cook everything first- not so. You can puree fresh fruits. I also had to figure out that almost everything, except some watery fruits, will need some water added to make it more mushy.

Hi, you'll find lots of information at www.westonaprice.org. I am a wellness consultant in San Antonio specializing is detoxification, but I do a lot of research and have found this site to be very informative for the public at large. Good luck.