| Making your own baby food is as easy as 1-2-3. Read how here. Did you know that making your own baby food is not only easy, but cost-effective too? And, you have the added reassurance that you are providing your baby with wholesome, nutritious foods. |
Use organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible to eliminate the risk of exposure to harmful pesticides and chemicals. Be sure to wash your hands and the equipment you are going to use thoroughly before preparing your baby's food. Peel fruits and vegetables and remove any seeds that could be a potential choking hazard.
Cook your baby's food by boiling, steaming or baking fruits, vegetables and meats and then puree or mash to the desired
consistency using breast milk, formula or water. Beets, turnips, carrots, collard greens and spinach contain high levels of nitrates and can cause anemia in babies younger than 4 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solids after 4-6 months of age. To reduce the amount of nitrates when cooking these vegetables, remove the liquid that the food was cooked in (since this contains most of the nitrates) and mash/puree with clean water, formula or breast milk.
Homemade Baby Food Products |
Once prepared, put your baby food into BPA-free ice cube trays, cover and freeze. Once frozen, remove from the tray and put into a freezer bag. Be sure to label the bag with the name of the food and the date you made it. Ideally, you should use the frozen baby food within 1 month.
When you are ready to use the frozen baby food, remove the amount that you want (each cube is approximately 1 ounce) and allow to defrost either overnight in the refrigerator, in a bowl of warm water, by heating on the stove or by using the defrost setting on your microwave. Make sure to test the temperature of the food before giving it to your baby.
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Cooking Baby Food for Your Baby - Yogurt and Cucumber | ||
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| Author : Diba Tillery RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST | ||
