FAQ: Everything you wanted to know about making Baby Food

[mara232]

Thought I would start a new thread:

The book is called "The Baby's Table" by Brenda Bradshaw and Lauren Donaldson Bramley, MD. ISBN-13:978-0-679-31291-8

I love this book. It has a whole 1st chapter discussing newborn to 6 months health requirements including breast-feeding and bottle-feeding. The next chapter starts with solid feeding from 6 months.

They recommend the following signs that your baby is ready for solids.

"Some babies are ready before 6 months - some after 6 months" (although the guideline is FIRST 6 MONTHS SHOULD ONLY BE BREASTMILK OR FORMULA):

- baby waking consistently more frequently at night
- baby is interested in foods you are eating
- baby seems unsatisfied after eating
- baby is bored or disinterested in feeds
- baby is crying more in-between feeds
- baby is falling off growth charts on weight
- baby is able to sit in an upright position and able to hold his head up

The thought to waiting until 6 months is that this age is thought to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal infections. BUT if you wait until baby is much older than 6 months to introduce solids, the baby runs the risk for iron-deficiency anemia as fetal stores are gradually become depleted.

They suggest iron-fortified cereals should form the basis of the baby's diet for the 1st 2 years of his life to ensure good iron intake. Good choice they suggest is rice first. Followed by barley, oatmeal and wheat. Wheat last due to risk of allergies. Once you have introduced all grains separately and seen no issues - you can give baby mixed grains.

Also breast-fed babies tend to be leaner but catch up to formula babies once solids are established.

Things you need:
- steamer basket
- blender or food processor
- ice cube trays (I bought 6 so I could make a good batch of 2 items at a time)
- freezer bags with labels
- double boiler

START veggies first - fruit after veggies established to avoid your baby not taking the less sweeter veggies.




Bananas- first raw fruit you serve your baby

1/4 banana, skin removed
1 tbsp breast milk or formula
- in a bowl mash banana to remove lumps
- add BM or formula to make more appealing
- serve immediately - do not freeze

Apples-try Golden delicious or Fuji (A loved Fuji) sweeter!

6 medium apples, washed, peeled, cored and quartered
- in a steamer steam apples over boiling water for 10 minutes
- set leftover water to side
- in blender/food processor puree until smooth
- for very young babies add leftover water to thin out puree
- when thinning add 1 tbsp of liquid at a time
- pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 10-12 cubes

Pears

6 medium pears, washed, peeled, cored and quartered
- in a steamer steam pears over boiling water for 8 minutes
- set leftover water to side
- in blender/food processor puree until smooth
- if needed add cooking water
- pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 10-12 cubes

Melon

1 medium size cantaloupe or honeydew melon washed
- cut melon in half, remove seeds and scoop out fruit
- in steamer steam for 6 minutes
- in blender/food processor puree until smooth
- pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 6-8 cubes

Peaches

6 medium peaches, washed
-in boiling water plunge peaches for 2 minutes
- remove from water and let cool
- slit skin with knife and peel
-cut peach in quarters and remove pit
- in a steamer steam pears over boiling water for 4 minutes
- in blender/food processor puree until smooth
- pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 8-10 cubes

Avocado
- one of few fruits that contain essential mono-saturated fats
- rich in potassium, B, C, E
- introduce early so your baby loves them!

1 avocado washed (Mara's hint: go for ripe - skin will be brown and will be softer when squeezed)
1 tsbp breast milk or formula
- cut avocado in half
-remove pit and scoop out flesh
- in bowl mash avocado removing lumps
- if too thick add BM or formula 1tsp at a time
- serve immediately to prevent turning brown
- can freeze (works out GREAT!!!) in ice trays
Yield: 3-4 cubes


Veggies:

Start with Orange, yellow and red veggies. Good in beta-carotene which is an anti-oxidant.

Sweet Potato
- naturally sweet and always a hit with babies
- sweet potato and apple makes a great combo!

2 sweet potatoes, washed, peeled, blemishes removed and cut in cubes
- in saucepan bring cubes to boil, turn down heat and simmer until tender (20-30 min)
- drain potatoes and set cooking water aside
- place potatoes in blender and puree adding leftover water as needed to achieve desired consistency
-pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 10-12 cubes

Carrot

8 baby carrots, washed, peeled and sliced
- in steamer steam over boiling water for 15 minutes
- set left over water to the side
- blend until smooth adding cooking water if needed
- pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 8-10 cubes

Carrot-Apple Delight

2 cubes apple puree
1 cube carrot
- defrost purees
- in a bowl mix thoroughly
- serve at room temperature

Yams

4 yams, washed, peeled, blemishes removed and cut in cubes
- in saucepan bring cubes to boil, turn down heat and simmer until tender (20-30 min)
- drain yams and set cooking water aside
- place yams in blender and puree adding leftover water as needed to achieve desired consistency
-pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 19-20 cubes

ButterNut Squash

1 butternut squash washed
- peel skin
- cut in 1/2 and remove seeds, section
- in steamer steam over boiling water 10-12 min
- set leftover cooking water to side
- in blender puree until smooth adding cooking water if needed
- pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yield: 10 cubes

Green Beans

2 handful green beans, washed, ends and stringy bits removed
- in steamer, cook over boiling water for 10-12 minutes
- set cooking water to the side
- in blender puree until smooth adding cooking water if needed
-pour into ice cube trays and freeze
Yields: 6 cubes

AND..the big debatable nitrates.

Nitrates: At one time it was recommended that home prepared carrots, spinach, turnip and beets not be fed to young infants. The level of nitrates compared to commercially processed vegetables removes some nitrates) could be detrimental to the infant kidney. However, now that is customary to introduce solids at a later age of 6 months, current recommendations do not advise restricting these nutritious vegetables. Nitrates are not a concern for a healthy term infants over 4 months of age.

So based on this statement from Canadian pediatric association - we served carrots.

Anyway - this book has so much more stuff for when the baby is 7 months and more "meals" for baby until they are on table food. If you want to make your own baby food I recommend this book. It is by far the best I have. It is a Canadian book. It's about $16.95 US. Happy baby food making!!!

[ahacker]

I just wanted to add:

The AAP has changed their status on starting solids. They now say no solids until baby is six months. I think they JUST changed it. They also said that starting with rice cereal is not necessarily what they recommend. With the incidence of childhood obesity, they are recommending you start with a vegetable or fruit instead. Dr. Richard Sears says that bananas are a perfect first food.


Amy

[mara232]

The Canadian pediatrians also say 6 months. Nothing but breastmilk or formula until 6 months. I was quoting the book.

[wildflower]

Mara - thanks for the info! I'm not there yet, but it is very useful info to know!! Thanks for taking the time to type it all out!!

[mara232]

We skipped rice cereal and did oatmeal and then barley. About 10 months old we started wheat cereal only because I swear my mom has celiac (not diagnosed) and didn't want to introduce too early. I dont make baby cereal because I don't have time nor the desire. I do buy organic for whatever that is worth. I think balance is key when it comes to feeding kids and it depends a lot on your kid. My kid eats 4-6 tbsp of cereal in a sitting still 1-2 times a day. he was diagnosed as being anemic at 9 months old. We also give him iron supplments.

[Jacque]

I want to get some opinions on this:

Ever since I've been trying to eat healthier and learned more about nutrition, I've been trying to eat less foods that are processed...less suger, preservatives, etc. I would like my child to be as healthy as possible, so I'm thinking this might be good for him...I haven't really started researching pre-made baby food yet to see how natural or unnatural it is...

So, anyone have an opinion on that? Also, if you make your own food, how often are you having to do that? Is it cheaper than buying baby food?

[mara232]

Nothing wrong with buying baby food. The odd times we were going to be gone somewhere in the heat I brough jars of food. Look at teh contents like you do your own food. Stay away from "desserts" things like "apple dessert". The ingredients should say "apple and water". Stay away from stage 2 jars - they add sugar and all sorts of gunk. All the stage 1 first fruit jars and veggie jars are usually pretty good. What you can do as your child gets older - say if you want to make pasta - cook the pasta on your own and use a jar of mixed veggie (carrots and peas) rather than the already made pasta.

It's all an individual thing. I always read labels and if there is anything more than a natural item in the food - we generally don't feed it to him. We fed him organic jars - they were only $0.10 more than the non-organic.

[mara232]

About the price - I think it works out cheaper because your makig it from scratch. Each cube is 1oz. The jars are more - I found we threw out less using frozen.

It is easy and doesn't take very long. I would do enough for a month in 2 hours. If you can get someone to help -it'll go faster.

To calrify: Really - it is a personal decision and I'm not saying you NEED to make babyfood. I did and someone had asked about it so I just posted some info. My kid got some jarred food and I see nothing wrong with it.

[Kim]

Jacque, I've heard that baby food in the store (if it's not organic) can have a concentrated amount of pesticides - so we are going to be feeding Jonah organic food and I will also try making my own. I would guess somethings are cheaper to make your own, and some are probably more expensive. Look for sales.

[Kim]

Oh, and thanks for posting this Mara, I'm printing it out and saving it!

[mara232]

You can also buy organic frozen squash and sweet potatoes already cubed if you don't feel like cleaning and cutting and the price works out to be the same. Same with other fruits and veggies not in season. trust me by the time your child is 8-10 months old they'll be wanting to eat what you have anyway. :lol:

[Jacque]

I printed it too :)

Since I live in an area where it's hard to find healty food (organic baby food for example) it might be easier to just make it. I'll check out my options though...some good tips...thanks guys.

[penners]

I remembered seeing this thread way back in January and thought I'd give it a bump to the top. I know I'm nowhere near ready for solids (especially since she's not here quite yet).

Do any of you have more recipes for baby food?

8)

[texasred1]

I remember when Mara started this thread. At that time we weren't ready to start solids. But I am here to say 3+ months later after starting solids that making your own bby food is really easy. I've been doing it for Mason since the get go. I have fed him cereals, I didn't feel like making my own, however I have tried to buy organic and I've also tried to feed him oatmeal vs. rice - less constipating. Making Mason's food has also kinda made dh and I eat healthier. I just throw into the food processor whatever we're eating (before spices, oils, etc.) and I'm not buying a bunch of fresh fruits and vegies either. Our choices of fresh in the grocery stores aren't always that great, so I buy a lot of frozen. So far Mason's favorite is blueberries! And although I haven't bought any jar food, so I can't do a perfect comparision, I would have to think it is cheaper. I'm buying these foods for dh and I anyway, kwim?

[wildflower]

I have a few books that I bought and were given to me regarding baby and child nutrition. I haven't read through them all yet, but you might want to check them out.

The Well Fed Baby by O. Robin Sweet and Thomas A bloom, PhD
The Family Nutrition Book by William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN
Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron

[Brooke1980]

I'm bumping this because I also made the decision to make all of Lilly's food myself (except for cereals). I have a question, is it a problem if making food out of frozen fruits or vegetables to refreeze the end product? I just wondered if thawing and refreezing posed any kind of risk. It really sucks here because our fruit and veggie selection is so limited in our tiny on base commissary, but I know they have a few different frozen items.

So far I am loving the fact that I make all of her food! I had made the decision to do it long ago, but after she was born I found on the Dr. Sears website the PERFECT reason to keep going at it!

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T031900.asp

It makes perfect sense to me, and I hope to form healthy eating habits by feeding her fresh tasting food.

[texasred1]

Brooke - I use a lot of frozen fruits and veggies to make baby food. I usually just thaw it then through it in the food processor. If it's frozen veggies that I'm fixing for dinner that evening I just set some aside for Mason and then throw them in the food processor. Same w/pasta and meats. I've put veggies, pasta in the processor together, sometimes I'll put meat in with it too.

Never had a problem refreezing.

[Preemienurse]

Brooke - I use a lot of frozen fruits and veggies to make baby food. I usually just thaw it then through it in the food processor. If it's frozen veggies that I'm fixing for dinner that evening I just set some aside for Mason and then throw them in the food processor. Same w/pasta and meats. I've put veggies, pasta in the processor together, sometimes I'll put meat in with it too.


So you don't steam them, just thaw and puree? I'm looking to make some of my own baby food but am SOOOOOO lazy it's not even funny. If I could skip the steaming step, I'd be so much more likely to actually do this. I do love using my food processor, though - I only have a little one now, but it should be fine for small amounts of baby food. If I stick with it, I'll treat myself to a normal-sized one using all the money I'm saving!!!

I'm going to take a trip to Whole Foods soon and see what they have - the frozen organic squash and sweet potato sound great, for me AND baby. Again, if it's pre-peeled and pre-cut, I'm much more likely to use it.

Question - are the cubes sticky at all? I've frozen juice before (when Molly was constipated from soy, we tried to freeze juice cubes since we used such small amounts it was going "bad" in the fridge) and they were SO sticky. Is it not as bad even with fresh fruit? And if you just use regular 1-quart freezer bags, do you get a lot of freezer burn? We don't have a deep freeze so I hope we don't have trouble with that stuff.

Also, I started a couple of weeks ago with rice and it makes baby so gassy - is barley any better? I have a box of it ready to go and I'd kind of like to just ditch the rest of the rice. I have a feeling the barley tastes better as well.

One more question, I promise!!! Did you all introduce all the cereals first (or at least rice, barley, and oatmeal) before starting veggies and fruits, or can I start with the veggies right now? I'm thinking of switching to barley tonight and then in three or four days starting with a veggie...

[Brooke1980]

So you don't steam them, just thaw and puree? I'm looking to make some of my own baby food but am SOOOOOO lazy it's not even funny. If I could skip the steaming step, I'd be so much more likely to actually do this. I do love using my food processor, though - I only have a little one now, but it should be fine for small amounts of baby food. If I stick with it, I'll treat myself to a normal-sized one using all the money I'm saving!!!

I have been steaming everything, except for the things they say aren't required. It's really not hard at all. I have just been setting one day a week to do it. I will work on about 3 different foods and get it all done in about an hour.


Question - are the cubes sticky at all? I've frozen juice before (when Molly was constipated from soy, we tried to freeze juice cubes since we used such small amounts it was going "bad" in the fridge) and they were SO sticky. Is it not as bad even with fresh fruit? And if you just use regular 1-quart freezer bags, do you get a lot of freezer burn? We don't have a deep freeze so I hope we don't have trouble with that stuff.

I haven't had a problem with stickiness at all. I've done apples, pears (Lilly's favorite!), green beans (awesome for when she was constipated), sweet potato, avocado, tonight I did cantaloupe, and tomorrow I'm going to do peaches and hamburger. And I haven't had a problem with freezer burn, but I've only been doing this for a little over a month. So far when I make the food it has lasted anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. One sweet potato has lasted a month, so thats cool because it doesn't feel like I am constantly making food! I of course don't feed her the same thing everyday, but she eats two cubes a sitting. And what's nice with the fruit is you can mix it with their cereal for variation.

Also, I started a couple of weeks ago with rice and it makes baby so gassy - is barley any better? I have a box of it ready to go and I'd kind of like to just ditch the rest of the rice. I have a feeling the barley tastes better as well.

I fed Lilly the rice I think 3 times..and it constipated her horribly. I fed her rice second. I started with oatmeal, oatmeal seems to go through her system just fine.


One more question, I promise!!! Did you all introduce all the cereals first (or at least rice, barley, and oatmeal) before starting veggies and fruits, or can I start with the veggies right now? I'm thinking of switching to barley tonight and then in three or four days starting with a veggie...

I actually started Lilly with avocado..no reason really. I then tried her with oatmeal, rice, then I did pears..which she ADORES. I would say you are good to go with starting veggies. I know some people skip cereal all together. I haven't done anything else with the rice, but the oatmeal she eats a few times a week.

Tonight she had cantaloupe and loved it..I'm thinking this might top the pears!

I hope some of that helped!

[Brooke1980]

Red~Thanks for the info! I will definitely have to check out the frozen area! I have been wanting to give her peas, but just couldn't see myself sitting around for an hour de-shelling the stupid things. I can't imagine how long it would take to accumulate enough to do any good!

[Preemienurse]

Brooke - thanks for the info! You were able to just puree the avacado and soft fruits like cantelope, right? But boiled or steamed the sweet potato, pears, green beans, etc.?

I just got home from Target - was sooo tempted to buy the baby food but held off. I did buy some oatmeal though, and I will give her the barley I already had tonight to see how she likes it. I know they say the cereals are good to have for 1-2 servings a day because of the iron they provide.

[Brooke1980]

Brooke - thanks for the info! You were able to just puree the avacado and soft fruits like cantelope, right? But boiled or steamed the sweet potato, pears, green beans, etc.?

I just got home from Target - was sooo tempted to buy the baby food but held off. I did buy some oatmeal though, and I will give her the barley I already had tonight to see how she likes it. I know they say the cereals are good to have for 1-2 servings a day because of the iron they provide.

Yeah, the avocado I just mixed with a little BM and mashed it up with a fork. And the cantelope I just cut up and threw it into the blender. I was boiling everything else, but I bought a steamer basket the other day for like $5 and it works perfectly!

[Brooke1980]

One more thing...great website... wholesomebabyfood.com

It gives really good info,and has some good recipes!

[texasred1]

Preemie - I only really steam the veggies if I'm cooking them for dinner for me and dh. Doing this has kind of made us eat healthier too. I have been buying organic frozen stuff. I never thought I'd be doing this, but it really isn't anymore effort than cooking for us.

And if you go to Whole Foods they even carry a frozen baby food line - Plum Organics and Happy Baby. But they are pricey. Not at first because the baby (well mine anyway) doesn't eat that much. But as they get older and eat the stated portion size - it is expensive.

I took frozen fruits: peaches, blueberries, blackberries (separately) set the bags on the counter, let them thaw, then through them in the food processor, then pour in ice cube trays and wrap with the freezer wrap. Once they set up I popped them out of the trays and put them in freezer bags. They keep for 3 months in the regular freezer. Some of the ones I made, when thawed are very watery, so I mix it with cereal. But they're not sticky. Mason LOVES blueberries! My dh reminded me I ate a TON of blueberries and blackberries while pregnant, hmmm....

Cereals - Started with rice, but then switched to Earth Balance (I think that's the brand, bought at Whole Foods, but you can get at Target too) oatmeal. Rice was constipating. Mason loves his cereal. But there is no reason you have to start with cereal, you can start with whatever.

Today I put 2 sweet potatoes in the oven, baked them, then mashed them. For dinner I cooked (for me & dh) whole wheat pasta with mixed veggies (frozen), black beans, and gabanzo beans. Before I added any salt, pepper, cheese - I scooped some up, threw it in the food processor and voila - Mason had supper.

I also use these little tiny tupperware dishes and put whatever purees I've made in them, then put those in freezer bags and into the freezer.

That wholesomebaby website is great. I just made a banana "pudding" recipe today.

[Brooke1980]

Mason LOVES blueberries! My dh reminded me I ate a TON of blueberries and blackberries while pregnant, hmmm....


You know what's funny? I ate TONS of cantelope while pregnant with that little girl! I was telling her all about it as she was gobbling it down, and how when we get back to the U.S. we are going to have to start a garden and grow it. I wonder if there really is any correlation?

[texasred1]

I don't know? But I would eat a pint of blackberries or blueberries a day when I was preggers. I can remember going to Sam's Club because they had them so cheap and it didn't matter that I bought so much at one time because I'd eat them before they had a chance to go bad. This kid like 'em so much I swear he's going to turn blue!

Next summer when Mason is older we'll have to go to one of these local farms around here that allows you to pick your own.

[carleighstutz]

Bumping for all the momma's who are making baby food :)

This will be GREAT to have!!!!!

[Maelee]

Thanks Carleigh...lots of good info here!