How To Make Homemade Baby Food

Being a new-er mom (feel free to just give me the label “newbie”), I am realizing just all of the little details and choices you have to make, when raising a child.

For instance, of course breast is best. But for me, breast was not best because my daughter was not getting enough to eat. After I had Mazy, my body was not passing fluids, which therefore caused certain heart valves to fail, which put me in the category of heart failure. As a result, I have had to take a diuretic everyday since, to ensure my body passes fluid. Little did I know at the time, that it was also drying up my milk supply. I would feed for almost an hour, but Mazy still seemed hungry. I would pump in between feedings to increase my supply, but to no avail.

Finally, at an appointment, the sweet lady asked how breastfeeding was going and I told her terrible. After talking for a bit, she said that I could keep trying and trying, but because of medication, my supply just may never recover. I had to be on that medication because otherwise my whole heart could fail, which could lead to death. So I was not about to give up on my meds, but decided that as badly as I wanted to breastfeed, it just wasn’t going to happen. So to formula we went.

So when it came to solid foods, I wanted what was best. Not to necessarily make up for lost time with breastfeeding, but to make sure that I am feeding my child the best way I can.

I was a stay at home mom for the first almost 6 months of Mazy’s life. I now work 2 days a week as a part-time elementary secretary. (Side note: can I just say I LOVE my job?) During those first 6 months, I sure had a lot to learn, but as the time came closer for me to start solid foods with Mazy, the more I realized I wanted to try and make my own baby food.

As I read more and more about it, I thought why not? We had a garden this past summer, that I specifically planted with the idea of possibly making our own baby food. So as vegetables started to ripen, I started to cook and puree a few. I started to realize that it was becoming fun and saw how much Mazy enjoyed her vegetables.

The next week, I went to our local Aldi to get some fruit. I cooked, pureed, and mashed those items up and before I knew it, I was in a groove.

Now, this is where I am going to put my disclaimer: Yes, I still buy some baby food! I have not resorted completely to homemade baby food. There are some baby foods that first of all, are just easier to buy, but also, there are some that can actually be healthier to buy (like veggies mixed with spinach) because they do not contain the bacteria that some homemade foods can. Carrots, squash, spinach, and beets can be high in nitrates, but are tested for safety by the FDA before being shelved, where my blender cannot do that. But I honestly have done homemade baby food with carrots too. Also, some baby foods are just easier to buy too, like certain vegetable mixes, prunes, and fruit mixes that would be difficult to make at home. So YES, I still do buy some baby food!

Even though I do buy some, I still find incredible enjoyment in making my own!

So the next question is: HOW?

Honestly, it is WAY easier than it sounds! It may take some time, but when you realize how much each batch makes, it is worth your time! Keep your eye out for another post on the benefits of making homemade baby food because there are plenty of them.

Here are a few simple and easy steps you can take to make YOUR own baby food!

1. PURCHASE fruits and vegetables – don’t buy if bruised or damaged. I usually buy fresh just because I know it’s FRESH then. You can use frozen or canned vegetables and fruits, but make sure there isn’t any added salt or sugar.

2. WASH thoroughly before cooking or pureeing because bacteria can live on the peels.

3. REMOVE peels, seeds, and pits.

4. COOK vegetables and some fruits until tender, for easier digestion for baby. Bananas, avocados, and peaches, you do not need to cook. I LOVE my Pampered Chef Micro Cooker because I can throw my vegetables or fruit in it, with just a touch of water, and steam them for a just a minute or 2, and boom, they are done!

5. PUREE til the food is at the desired consistency. When you move up to stage 2, the foods do not have to be as liquefied.

6. POUR puree into ice cube trays or old baby food containers.

7. FREEZE.

8. STORE. If using ice cube trays, pop the ice cubes out and put in freezer bags and label. If using old baby food containers, use a sharpie to label. Then put back in the freezer.

9. SERVE. I usually use 2 ice cubes for each serving and heat up in the microwave in a glass bowl. Be sure to check the temperature of the food before serving to baby!!! If using baby food containers, just take out each night, what you want to serve the next day, and put in refrigerator to thaw.

I have read mixed reviews on how long to keep homemade baby food in the freezer: somewhere between 1-3 months. The thing is, I often use up the food well before then anyways, so I haven’t had to worry.

** A note about cooking vegetables and fruits. I typically steam when I can, and use as little water as possible, so all of the nutrients aren’t loss. Boiling can cause the food to lose some nutrients, but to be honest, I have done both.

I have loved making our own baby food. Even better though, is seeing how excited Mazy gets when we put her in her high chair. She knows exactly what is coming. Her smile makes it all worth it!

Have you tried making homemade baby food? What was your favorite food to make?