Making your own baby food at home can be easy and save money. It also gives you the ability to know exactly what your baby is eating – healthy and nutritious foods without unnecessary additives. Here are a few basics to help you start making baby food at home like a pro!
FOOD SAFETY:
- Little ones can be at greater risk of food borne illnesses because their immune systems are still developing. To take extra precaution with food safety:
- Thoroughly wash and clean all produce.
- Store baby food in sealed containers.
- Label and date all items, whether frozen or in the fridge.
FOOD Preparation:
- Cook and steam fruits and vegetables first to help create a smooth puree. Doing this also reduces the risk of food borne illnesses.
- Easily steam produce over the stove top or in a microwave in a shallow bowl of water.
- Use a blender to create baby food puree.
DON’T HAVE A BLENDER?
Many fruits and vegetables can be mashed using a fork after they’re cooked. You can also choose soft foods such as bananas, avocados, or kiwis that can be manually mashed and mixed to create a quick meal for your baby. Some parents choose to skip purees completely and let their babies feed themselves with small chunks of soft foods, once they are ready and show an interest in eating.
BATCH MAKING:
- Save time and energy throughout a busy week by batch making.
- Make 3 cups of baby food at the beginning of the week, portion it into 3 oz storage cups and you’ll have 8 meals ready to go!
- You can also spoon pureed food into ice trays, cover with plastic wrap, and then place in the freezer. Once each batch is frozen, place the cubes into date-labeled freezer bags.
Baby food purees can last up to 3 months in the freezer or 48 hours in the refrigerator. To prepare your baby’s frozen meals, simply defrost 3-4 cubes in the microwave or on the stovetop.
