Making your own baby food will save you money and give you peace of mind. It will allow you ultimate control over what your baby is eating. While most baby food on the market is safe and free of nitrates it is nice to know you exactly what you are giving your baby if you make it yourself. If you are interested in feeding your baby only organic foods it will be much cheaper to make it yourself then purchase organic jars.
To make baby food use the freshest fruits and vegetables you can buy. Use only top quality. Frozen vegetables and fruit are a fine option. I do not like using canned food due to the food leaching the chemicals in the cans.
Common first foods are apples, peaches, bananas, blueberries apricots, carrots, pears, sweet potatoes, squash avocados and plums. Introduce new foods in slowly to be sure your baby does not have an allergy. Do not add in salt, sugar, or preservatives to your food. Your baby does not need the added ingredients and could have an allergic reaction. Remember this is your baby’s first taste in food so what may sound plain and boring to you will be an adventure to her.
As you note your baby’s responses to foods you can begin to mix ingredients and offer a wider selection to your baby. For instance you can add sweet potatoes or pears to mashed bananas. You can mix carrots and green beans or blueberries and apples. Always make sure you do not introduce two new ingredients at the same time.
You can make baby cereal by grinding oatmeal to a fine powder. Use one fourth ground oats to one cup boiling water to make a serving. Oatmeal can be fed without cooking so once you know your baby can tolerate it you can add it to other fruit purees that are too runny or to add a boost of healthy nutrition.