Easy recipes for making homemade fruit baby food

To make homemade applesauce:

Peel the apples, cut into chunks, and boil until tender.  Drain and then mash the apples or use a food processor to puree the apples into a smooth sauce.  Depending upon the age of your baby you can make it completely pureed or if the child is older, you can give the sauce some consistency.  You can also add your homemade applesauce to your baby’s cereal to give it some flavor.  Before adding any other flavorings such as cinnamon or sugar, ask your pediatrician first to make sure it is ok. 

Vegetables

• Green beans
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Sweet and white potatoes
• Squash

To make homemade vegetable baby food:

Use the same process as above.  Cook the vegetable until soft. Drain the water and then mash or use a food processor to puree the vegetables.  Store in air proof containers or freeze for future use. 

The introduction of vegetables is sometimes challenging because it is a different taste and consistency than what your baby is used to.  You should also remember to add one new fruit or vegetable at a time to be sure your baby is not having any allergic reactions to the new food.

Grains, meat and dairy

• Rice, oatmeal, and pasta
• Beef, chicken, eggs, and fish
• Yogurt, cheese, and whole cow’s milk 

The introduction of meat into your baby’s diet shouldn’t come until your baby is around 7 months old.  As with any new food you introduce to your baby, make sure you are providing the necessary vitamins and minerals that are recommended by your pediatrician.  You should be sure that your baby is getting something from all food groups in order to give your child a balanced and healthy diet. 

Benefits of making your own baby food

Besides being cost effective, you are in control of the ingredients that go into your baby’s food.  Store bought baby food is processed and additives are often included as well as sugar.  You can limit these by-products by making your own baby food in bulk and freezing it and using it as needed.  By being well informed about the nutritional value of each type of food, you can be certain your baby is getting exactly what he or she needs for a strong and healthy start in life. 

Is it really worth all the trouble?

It is certainly well worth the trouble for several reasons.  It is cost effective to make your own baby food; it is nutritionally valuable as you can be sure your baby is getting exactly the correct amounts of daily vitamins and minerals he or she needs to grow strong and healthy.  By making your own baby food you are being a proactive parent by limiting the unnecessary additives that some store bought baby foods contain, such as sugar and other potentially harmful ingredients that can cause your child to have an allergic reaction to the food.  All natural, homemade baby food is most certainly worth the effort you put into it.  After all, this is your baby; you want the best for him or her and you can do that by making your own homemade baby food.

At what age should I start feeding my baby fruits, vegetables, and meat?

Your pediatrician will tell you when it is time to start giving your baby foods other than breast milk or formula.  Generally speaking, however, here are some facts you can go by and then ask your pediatrician if it is ok to start your baby on these foods.

• 4-6 month old: It is recommended that your baby just have breast milk or formula up to the age of 4 to 6 months.  Some parents begin giving their baby cereal at 4 months of age and then slowly introduce fruit into their diet up to the 6 month age group.
• 6-8 month old:  Breast milk or formula should still be the main food your baby is getting, but at this age it is ok to begin introducing your baby to new foods after the baby has finished breast feeding or taken the bottle. 
• 8-10 month old:  By this age your baby is very active, crawling, and exploring the world around him or her.  You may find they are too busy to eat and may even refuse to eat.  You can introduce foods with more consistency such as chopped up cooked carrots, potatoes, and peas.  Continue giving your baby breast milk or formula as well.
• 10-12 month old:  Your baby knows now what he or she likes best and is quite able to eat almost anything that is cut up into small pieces.  Your baby will want to feed himself; just set the food on his plate and allow him to eat what he wants.  You will discover what foods your baby likes and doesn’t like; it is important to substitute what he doesn’t like with something he does like that has the same vitamins and minerals your baby needs.

Nutrition is the key aspect to feeding your baby; you always want to make sure he or she is getting all the proper vitamins they need from the food they eat.  That is why it is so important to continue breast feeding or formula feeding until your baby is eating a well balanced diet and getting the correct nutritional values he or she needs to grow healthy and strong.