Homemade Baby Food
Homemade baby food for the six month old baby
Most babies have rice cereal as a first food. In addition to rice cereal, there is also oatmeal cereal. To make homemade baby cereals simply prepare brown rice or oatmeal as the directions on the package state and then puree.
Avocados are an excellent beginning food for baby. There is little preparation needed; simply cut, mash and serve.
Sweet potatoes are also an easy fix. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, pierce in several places with a fork or knife and bake the sweet potatoes for 45 minutes. Again, mash and serve.
Homemade applesauce is great for babies just starting out on solid food. Peel, core and cube apples. Add a little water to a pan of cubed apples and cook apples on low heat until they are soft. They can be mashed or pureed in a blender before serving.
Bananas can be easily mashed with a fork. They may also be pureed in a blender. If frozen, they may darken, but it will not affect the taste or quality.
Pears can be made in the same way applesauce is made. Again, some discoloration may occur if the pear puree is frozen, but it will not affect the taste.
Homemade baby food for the seven month old baby
Around seven months of age, baby can be introduced to tofu. Soft tofu can be added to any homemade baby food while pureeing the food. Frozen tofu becomes rubbery, so freezing homemade baby foods containing tofu is not recommended.
Carrots are a favorite food of many babies and can be added to their diet around seven months. Steam and then puree the carrots in a blender.
Peas, while being a fun finger food for the older baby, should be boiled until soft and then pureed. Straining the peas is a good idea to get rid of any tough skins that remain. They are naturally sweet and many babies love peas.
Mashed potatoes can also be introduced around seven months. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, pierce potatoes with a fork and bake for about 50 minutes. Once they have cooled they can be mashed. Add breast milk, formula or water to make potatoes the desired consistency.
Homemade baby food for the 8 month old baby
Squash is a great food to add to the menu of a baby who has been taking solids for a couple of months. Zucchini and yellow squash should be baked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and then pureed.
Mixing spinach and potatoes make a great meal for baby. Puree cooked spinach together with mashed potatoes for a healthy meal.
Watermelon, seedless of course, makes a great treat for the eight month old baby. Mash and serve, but do not freeze as watermelon will not freeze well.
Chicken is a good first protein to try with baby. Cook chicken breast at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Cut it into small piece and puree. It can be mixed with other foods such as pears or apples.
Homemade baby food for the nine month old baby
After a successful introduction of chicken around eight months, baby is ready to try beef. Make sure that the beef is well done-no pink centers for baby. Chop and then puree. This can be frozen for later use.
Ham is also good to try around this age. Find ham that is free of salt or preservatives. Cook according to package directions and then puree. Mix it with peas or apples for a yummy combination dinner.
To help baby experience new flavors, around nine months try adding a dash of cinnamon to applesauce or pears. You can also add in a bit of oatmeal for an ‘apple cobbler” experience.
Cantaloupe and honeydew melon can be cubed and mashed for a new fruit to try with baby. Do not freeze either, however as neither freeze well.
Homemade baby food for the baby ten months old and older
By this time baby has gotten used to eating solids and is ready for foods with more texture and form. You may introduce pasta around this time. Use whole wheat pasta as opposed to white, processed pasta. Pasta should still be pureed a bit, but can have slightly more texture than baby has had before. Tomato sauce is safe to try around this time, also.
Oranges and grapefruit may be sectioned and mashed for baby. Another option is to squeeze the juice from the fruit and give to baby in a sippy cup.
Pineapples may be sliced and mashed into small pieces. Pineapple juice is a fun drink for baby, too.
Adding yogurt to baby’s diet around 10 months is ideal. Pureed fruit may be added to the yogurt for extra flavor. Watch baby closely for any allergic reaction.
Beans are good to add to baby’s menus around this time. Cooked until soft and mashed they can be added to meats, veggies or pastas and pureed. They can be frozen well.
Corn (removed from the cob) should be cooked until soft and then pureed. It too can be frozen.
Homemade baby food doesn’t have to be time consuming or confusing. With these guidelines you can safely and inexpensively feed baby organic, freshly prepared foods that will teach them how to eat as well as being enjoyable to taste.
