Yes, it is very easy to make your own baby food! Plus it's healthier and more affordable than buying store bought baby food. Instead of purchasing pre-packaged food for your baby, you can use fresh grains, produce and meat - you will know exactly what your baby is being fed. Another positive to serving your baby homemade food is that you will be introducing your baby to food the family eats. This strategy can become particularly helpful in a few years when your toddler becomes a more picky eater. Your baby will have been introduced to a wider range of food and will eat similar foods to what is being served at meals for the rest of the family. With all of these pros, it's hard to argue against making your own baby food!
What are some guidelines when making homemade baby food? For those parents who have never made their own baby food, it can be a bit daunting. But by following some simple guidelines, you can be sure you are serving healthy and safe food to your baby.
Consult with your doctor before introducing solids. Prior to starting your baby on solid foods (even if it is cereal) be sure to have the approval of your doctor. Discuss with your doctor that you will be making your own baby food as he or she might have some suggestions and information about what foods you can introduce to your baby and when.
Use the 4 day rule. The 4 day rule is simple for introducing your baby to new foods. Introduce your baby to a new food and then give it to him or her for 4 days straight. Avoid introducing another new food until the four days is up. This is a way to test for food allergies and is important when your baby is starting on solid foods.
Make sure everything is clean. This guideline goes without saying but it's a good reminder that everything must be clean when making your own baby food. Always wash your hands before making the baby food - or even throughout the process. Always use clean cooking utensils, pots and pans, even if that means having more dishes to do later. Be sure that the food preparation surface is clean. Babies often have weaker immune systems than older children so it is important that the food handling is as safe as it possibly can be.
Keep for refrigerated for a maximum of 3 days. Once you have made some baby food, keep it in the fridge and only store enough for 3 days worth. Many homemade baby foods can be frozen, so if you don't think your baby will eat all of the prepared food put it in the freezer. It is also a good idea to freeze the food in individual portions so that if you run out of time to prepare fresh food for a day, you can easily open up the freezer and take out some servings for the day.
Be patient with your baby when introducing a new food. All babies are different and therefore they have different tastes. They will have preferences for certain foods, tastes and textures. Don't despair if you have made a big batch of applesauce and your baby refuses to eat it. Keep trying to feed it to your baby over the next few days and then freeze it. Sometimes it takes a baby up to 10 tries before he or she will eat a food.
Have some fun and experiment with new foods. Find different food combinations that your baby likes. If he or she doesn't like the applesauce you made, why not puree some mango or pear and combine it with the applesauce. Sometimes just making a simple change will be enough to get your baby to eat a food that he or she has been refusing to eat.