If you want to have complete control over what foods are given to your baby, then making baby food is a better option than buying it. Foods packaged in jars or bags are usually pre-treated and mixed with sodium and sugar--they're also more expensive. When you make baby food at home, you can choose your baby's favorite types of fruits, vegetables and meats, steam and mash the food using a food processor, and freeze baby food in appropriate portions. If you want the most nutritious and delicious food for your baby, then making your own is the best choice.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing Materials
Step 1. Use fresh fruit and vegetables that are at their peak of ripeness
Perfectly ripe fruits and vegetables contain the most nutrients and taste the most delicious. Since you won't be adding sugar and salt to your food, it's important to choose ingredients that are cooked through - otherwise the food will taste bland. Look for fruits and vegetables that are light in color and ripe, and not too mushy or rotten. Follow the profit guidelines for each type of fruit and vegetable to determine ripeness.
- Farmers' markets are a good place to find fresh fruit and vegetables that are at their peak of ripeness. This is because they usually only provide fruits and vegetables that are in season.
- You can use canned or frozen fruit and vegetables, but it's best to use fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables often contain additives that are useful for preserving them. Read labels carefully if you decide to buy frozen or canned vegetables.
Step 2. Choose organic ingredients whenever possible
Many fruits and vegetables are treated with pesticides and other chemicals before harvesting. If possible, buy fruit and vegetables in the organic food section of the supermarket so you can be sure that the food your baby is giving is chemical-free.
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Some types of fruit and vegetables are more likely to be contaminated with chemicals than other types of fruit and vegetables. For example, apples are treated with more pesticides than any other fruit, so it's best to buy organic apples. On the other hand, avocados are not treated with many pesticides.
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Step 3. Know what foods your baby can eat
Some babies are ready to eat solids at around 4 months of age, while others may not be ready that quickly. Ask your pediatrician about giving your baby solid foods. When the baby is ready, the transition should be slow; don't introduce too many foods at once.
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Babies who are in transition from a diet consisting of only breast milk or formula milk can be given pureed fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, chayote, sweet potatoes, and apples.
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Babies who have eaten some solid foods and are between 4 and 8 months of age can be given pureed or filtered vegetables and fruit, meat, legumes, and cereals.
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Ask your doctor about the right time to introduce mashed and finger foods into your baby's diet. This is important only if the baby has developed certain skills.
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Step 4. Know what foods your baby shouldn't eat
Babies under one year old should not be given certain types of food, because they can cause allergies and other diseases. Never give a baby the following types of food before he is one year old:
- Dairy products derived from unpasteurized milk
- Honey
- Expired canned food
- Self-preserved food
- Food from a dented can
Part 2 of 3: Preparing Baby Food
Step 1. Clean and peel fruits and vegetables
Scrub the skins of vegetables and fruit with a scrubbing sponge, especially if the vegetables or fruit are not organic. Make sure that you clean the dust and grit that sticks out. If the cleaned fruit or vegetable has a skin on, then use a peeler to peel the skin off because the tough skin is hard for babies to eat.
Step 2. Cut fruits and vegetables into 1-inch (2.54 cm) long strips
Since you'll be steaming the ingredients you're using, you'll need to cut them into equal-sized pieces so they can steam efficiently and evenly. Cut the chayote, sweet potato, apple, or other type of material with a sharp knife.
- Bananas and other foods that are very mushy don't need to be steamed before being mashed.
- Make sure that you clean your cutting boards and knives. If you are working with more than one type of food, then clean your cutting boards and knives with hot, soapy water every time you change ingredients.
Step 3. Steam baby food
Place the food pieces into the steamer basket. Add enough water to a large saucepan. Cover the pot and place it on the stove over medium to high heat. Remove the pan from the stove when the pieces of food are soft, about 5 - 10 minutes.
- Use a clean fork to test whether the pieces of food are soft or not.
- Steam the food until it is a softer texture than when you steamed food for yourself, because the food should be really smooth when crushed.
- Only use water for steaming fruits and vegetables; do not add butter, salt, sugar, or other ingredients unless you are sure that your baby can digest them.
Step 4. Puree the food with a food processing machine
Put the mushy pieces of food into a food processor and process until the food is completely smooth. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender, food grinder, or potato masher.
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Make sure that there are no pieces of food left if the baby is under 6 months old. Older babies may be ready for mashed foods instead of refined foods anymore. Make this clear by asking your doctor before you determine how fine the food will be.
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Step 5. Cook the meat to the proper internal temperature before mashing it
If you are preparing beef, chicken, or fish for an older baby, then make sure that the meat is cooked to the right internal temperature to kill bacteria. Use a meat thermometer to be sure. Beef must reach an internal temperature of 71 °C, Beef must reach an internal temperature of 74 °C, Beef must reach an internal temperature of 73 °C.
Ripe meat can be mashed like any other food. You can mix it with tomatoes or other savory fruits and vegetables
Step 6. Strain baby food through a fine sieve to remove solids
This final step will ensure that the texture of the food is suitable for the baby's digestive system.
Part 3 of 3: Storing and Heating Baby Food
Step 1. Store baby food in clean glass jars
Divide baby food into jars that can be tightly closed to ensure that the food stays fresh and does not become contaminated. Store food in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before use (1 day for beef and fish).
- If you store food in the freezer, make sure that you use a freezer-safe container. Baby food can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Always attach a label containing the type and date of food processing on the food container.
Step 2. Reheat frozen baby food thoroughly
Baby food should be thoroughly reheated to 74 °C.
Do not thaw baby food at room temperature. This can cause bacteria to grow. It's safer to actually heat the food before serving it
Tips
- The process of mashing and blending the fruit will go much smoother and easier if the fruit is slightly warmed before mixing. Consider warming the fruit in the microwave or oven for a very short time before mixing it.
- Baby food freezes well. Put the baby food that has been mashed into an ice cube tray that has been sprayed with non-stick liquid, then freeze. Once frozen, remove the food from the tray and place one at a time in a plastic bag, then put it in the freezing bag. Unwrap and microwave (carefully) as needed.
