How to Make Baby Food

by Kate on July 19th, 2009 | 14 Comments » | In Life, Parenting
If you’ve been reading The Shopping Mama, and particularly the All About Eating series, you know I make my own baby food, but I’ve never actually written about HOW to make baby food. So, that’s what this post is all about: a step by step how-to and some suggestions for what you need.

(Obviously, I’m not an expert. This post is based on my experience preparing baby food for my two kids.)

Basics
Making your own baby food is really very easy. Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it. I acknowledge that it takes a bit more time than jarred or prepared baby food, but I think of it this way: I take the time to cook and prepare food for my husband, son and I so I can take the time to do it for my daughter, too.

The basics steps:
1. Cook a batch of food
2. Puree it to desired consistency
3. Freeze food in small compartment containers
4. Move frozen cubes of food to freezer bags
5. Thaw a cube (or two) in the microwave, and
6. Serve!

See, I told you, it’s easy!

What You Need
Recipes
Some of the basic recipes are very straightforward (i.e. steam frozen peas, puree, freeze), but as you move into introducing meat and want to mix up your baby’s diet I highly recommend a baby food cook book. Here are a few of my favorites:
* Top 100 Baby Purees: 100 Quick and Easy Meals for a Healthy and Happy Baby
* Superfoods: For Babies and Children
* The Petit Appetit Cookbook: Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby and Toddler

You can also reference these really helpful websites:
* Annabel Karmel
* WholesomeBabyFood.com

Equipment

You probably already have everything necessary to make baby food because at a bare minimum all you really need is a food processor (or blender or food mill) and an ice cube tray. Of course, it’s much easier with some additional products designed specifically for baby food making.

If you use a regular ice cube tray, you will need to cover the trays with saran wrap to protect from freezer burn. From personal experience, I can tell you it’s much easier to use trays designed specifically for baby food storage or an ice cube tray with a cover. I really like the KidCo BabySteps Freezer Trays. I also use Fresh Baby So Easy Baby Food/Breast Milk Trays and I know that Tupperware offers covered ice cube trays.

If you’re looking for a really cost-effective system that has literally everything you need including a basic cookbook, electric food mill and storage trays, I definitely recommend the BabySteps Complete Feeding System.

Another great product I’ve been using lately is the Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker. This single piece of equipment steams and purees baby food. It’s more compact than a food processor and takes the guess work out of the length of time to cook food. I LOVE the way this machine purees fruits and vegetables. It makes everything super smooth and really a great texture for early eaters. And another bonus with this is that you only have to clean one appliance!

My Tips
Double the recipe. Make a big batch of your kiddo’s favorite fruit once a week rather than making two small batches twice a week. Frozen baby food will stay good in the freezer for months so there’s no harm in making a lot at once.

Mix It Up. After preparing a few batches of food you may have several single food cubes so mix them to create more variety. For example, if you have cubes of peas and cubes of squash, thaw one of each and mix them up for a different taste. Or, thaw an apple and a sweet potato. Obviously, this gives you a lot more options without a lot more work.

Make it fun. Host a baby food making get together with friend or two. Each person brings a couple recipes and the food needed to double the recipe. Cook, steam, puree with company and everyone takes home a variety of food in their storage trays to freeze for baby to eat later.

Some is better than none. If you don’t have the time to make all your little one’s baby food, make some baby food. Cook an usual recipe that you can’t buy prepared so your baby still gets a good variety and exposure to different tastes and textures.

Reuse. If you buy prepared baby food, save the container, if possible, and use it to freeze and store your homemade baby food. This also makes it easier to take homemade baby food on the go as it’s already in serving container.

Why I Like Making My Own Baby Food
In the long run, it’s cost effective, earth-friendly and I know exactly what my baby is eating because I made it. I just LOVE making my own baby food and it really gives me a sense of pride to be able to prepare special food for Baby Girl. Seriously? Go for it! You’ll be so glad you did!

Do YOU make your own baby food? If so, what am I forgetting or what’s your must have product? And, why do you make your baby’s food?

About the Author
Kate
author

Kate started The Shopping Mama™ in January 2009 when she traded in online legal research and writing for locating the best products for children. She shops for a 5 year old boy, 3 year old girl and newborn baby boy. Kate and her family live in steamy Montgomery, Alabama and are happy to be living all together as a family of four after surviving a one year deployment. Read more from Kate on The BabyCenter Blog and Bravado Designs' Breastfeeding Diaries.

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Comments (14)

  1. Anna Pinder

    July 22, 2009

    Wow, making baby food is such a smart idea! When I have kids I would love to try that!

  2. The Petersons

    October 31, 2009

    What a great article! I bet you would save a ton of money making your own baby food.

  3. Hampers

    July 31, 2010

    Great idea making your own baby and a whole lot fresher too. Thanks for your article.

  4. Amanda

    February 16, 2011

    I agree. I made babyfood for baby#2 and fell in love with the idea. However, I found I would only make the same few things and as a result, sweet potatoes are my baby’s favorite! You can bake them or steam them before you puree.

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