Not only is it healthier for your baby, it’s cheaper AND it can be easier if you do it right. When I first started making food for Will, I told myself I’d only do it as long as it didn’t drive me to the Looney Bin. Turns out I never had to buy a single jar of baby food, nor did I ever want to.
Here are some tips to keep you on track:
· Plan ahead-Make your baby food all in one big batch and only make baby food that you can freeze for weeks at a time. Whenever you need a meal, it’s as simple as grabbing a cube from the freezer and heating it up. Home cooking for Baby is not easier if you have to come up with a new meal every night. We always had at least one veggie puree and one fruit puree in the freezer so our little guy had some variety in his diet.
· Splurge a little for the right tools and you’re more likely to stick to it-I bought a baby food puree cookbook (one that keeps it simple is best) and a set of baby food cubes with measurements that are freezer and dishwasher safe. You can also buy a fancy baby food puree processer, but I got by on my ordinary old blender. Below are links to the items I chose, but there are many like them on the market. Make sure you choose the items that work best for you.
Baby Food Cubes- http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Cubes-Storage-Containers-Bisphenol-/dp/B001B5DTO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311712428&sr=8-1
· Select easy-to-puree produce-you don’t want to spend half your life peeling, chopping, or mincing something that only ends up making an ounce or two of baby food. There are so many easy-to-prepare options that you don’t have to sacrifice your baby’s nutrition. Some simple prep purees include butternut squash, broccoli, pears and frozen peas. Bananas and avocados are so crazy easy that all you have to do is mash them and put them in a bowl. Although spinach, mangos, and apples are oh-so-good for Baby, they take a little more prep time and you might not want to plan to make them on a regular basis.
Of course, always, always, always consult your baby’s pediatrician before introducing a new diet.
Our son Will trying homemade sweet potato puree for the first time
