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Homemade Baby Food

Its easier than you think to create fresh meals for your baby and youll likely save money too (hello, college fund)! Check out some of our most nutritious and easy-to-make recipes for homemade baby food.

Curry Peas
Introducing new flavors and textures early on, such as yogurt and curry, can help your baby develop good eating habits. 1 p ackage (10 ounces) frozen peas, cooked 1/3 cup plain yogurt 1/4 teaspoon curry powder 1. Puree all ingredients in a food p r o ce ss o r o r b l e n d e r u nt i l smooth.

Asparagus & Broccoli

Promote healthy growth and boost immunity for Baby with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, calcium, and folate, in every yummy spoonful. 1 1 1 1 c up cut asparagus pieces c up small broccoli florets garlic clove, minced tablespoon olive oil

Beans, Collards, & Rice

Brown rice adds fiber and flavor to this healthy medley that you can make with fresh or frozen vegetables. 1 c up frozen collard greens, cooked 1 c up frozen or fresh green beans, cooked 3/4 cup cooked brown rice 1/4 cup water 1. Combine all ingredients and puree in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Apple & Cabbage

For a colorful twist on applesauce, try this variation with red cabbage and raisins for added fiber and vitamin C. 1 G olden Delicious apple, peeled and grated 1 c up finely shredded red cabbage 1/4 cup water 2 t ablespoons golden raisins 1. Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Puree in food processer or blender until smooth.

1. Cook asparagus and broccoli in boiling water until tender; drain. Place garlic and oil together in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth..

Homemade Baby Food

Chicken & Sweet Potato

Perfect for babies who are at least 8 months old, this nutritious dinner is high in protein, betacarotene, and vitamin C. Plus its ready in just 30 minutes. 1 1 6 -ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast half l arge (12 ounces) sweet potato, peeled and cubed

Beef & Carrots

Pureed meat can be added to the menu for babies ages 8-11 months. Combine with a vegetable for a healthful and delicious combo meal mom and Baby will love. 1/2 ound boneless beef chuck roast, p cut in 1-1/2-inch chunks 1 arge (4 ounces) carrot, cut in 1-inch l chunks 1. Place beef in a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 2 hours or until meat is fork tender, adding carrot the last 15 to 20 minutes of cooking. Remove meat and carrot with a slotted spoon. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid. 2. In miniature food processor, puree half the beef with 2 tablespoons reserved broth. Repeat with remaining beef and more broth. Puree carrot through a food mill, baby food grinder, or miniature food processor. 3. Stir beef and carrots together. Add more reserved cooking broth if desired. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Acorn Squash
Pureed squash is a good vegetable to introduce to your baby when shes 6 to 8 months old. If you like, roast both halves of the squash and serve the other half for dinner. 1/2 of a medium acorn squash 1-1/2 cups water 1. Heat oven to 400F. Scrape out seeds and strings. Place squash cut-side down in 2-quart baking dish with 1 cup water. Roast, uncovered, until squash is very tender when pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, reserving cooking water. When cool enough to handle, scrape pulp from skin. 2. Puree squash through a food mill, baby food grinder, blender, or food processor, adding up to 1/2 cup of reserved water to obtain desired consistency. Use within 1 day, or freeze for up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

1. In a small saucepan, cook chicken breast half in enough boiling water to cover for 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (internal temperature should be 170F). Remove from saucepan; cool. 2. In a medium saucepan, cook the sweet potato, covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 20 to 25 minutes or until very tender. Drain sweet potatoes, reserving cooking liquid. Use a fork or potato masher to thoroughly mash potatoes. 3. Grind chicken in a food mill or mini food processor. Mix ground chicken and sweet potatoes together. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid or more for the consistency your child likes. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Homemade Baby Food

Avocado Banana
We all know that avocados and bananas are great first foods, but have you ever tried them together? They may seem like a strange combo, but its a match made in baby food heaven, and the proof is in the puree. Avocados are rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene and Vitamins C and E; bananas are a powerhouse of magnesium and potassium. Together they make one potent puree. 1 1 ripe banana, peeled r ipe avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and cut up 1/4 cup water or formula

Applesauce
Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamins, and have been studied for their benefits in lowering the risk of asthma -- a perfect choice for one of Babys first foods. 2 c ooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 2/3 cup water 1. Place apples and water in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until apples are very tender. Cool mixture. Puree mixture using a food mill, baby food grinder, blender, or small food processor. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Pear & Blueberry

Blueberries make a great puree for wee ones and a terrific on-the-go snack for the toddler set. Coupled with pears and a dash of cinnamon, this puree is a nutritional hit. Its also great as a smoothie or as a mix-in for oatmeal or your favorite hot breakfast cereal. 2 c ooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 2/3 cup water 1. Place pears and blueberries in a steamer basket set over gently boiling water. Cover and steam until tender, about 5 minutes. 2. Remove blueberries and pear from steamer and allow to cool. Place in a food processor or blender. Add cinnamon; process until smooth. Serve or store in your favorite food storage container for up to 48 hours in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in your freezer. Tip: Dont have a steamer? No problem! Simply, place a metal colander over a pot of boiling water and cover.

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or a food processor and puree until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately. Tip: Avocado and banana also make for a great smoothie for toddlers. Add in 1/2 cup of yogurt and puree until drinkable consistency.

17 Super Foods for Baby

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) Bananas Sweet Potatoes Avocados Eggs Carrots Yogurt Cereal Cheese Chicken 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17)

Since babies have such tiny tummies, its important to make sure the foods they do eat contain lots of nutrients. After 6 months of age, start introducing these foods into your babys diet to make the most out of your little ones mealtimes.

Citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruit) Beef Butternut Squash Fish (Haddock, Cod) Tomatoes Peas Broccoli Pasta
Homemade Baby Food

As your baby is ready to eat semisoft foods, start introducing some of these meals into his diet.

Green Beans
While available almost year-round, green beans will be most beautiful and inexpensive early summer through early August. Make sure your beans are very tender after cooking and do not forget to save your cooking water. This is used to thin the baby food. 1/2 ound fresh green p beans, trimmed (about 3 cups) Water 1. Place green beans in a medium saucepan; add enough water to cover green beans. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 10 to 12 minutes until beans are very tender. Drain, reserving cooking water. Cool slightly. 2. Puree beans and enough reserved cooking water (1/3 to 1/2 cup) through a food mill, baby food grinder, blender, or food processor to obtain desired consistency. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Chicken, Pasta, & Carrots

Beef & Noodles

Always reserve cooking liquid from whatever baby food you make. It includes vitamins and minerals. Add it to the baby food to get the consistency that is just right for your child. 1/2 ound boneless beef p chuck roast, cut into 11/2-inch chunks 1/2 up tiny pasta, such as c alphabets or pastina 1. Place beef in a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 2 hours or until meat is fork tender. Remove meat with a slotted spoon. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Finely chop meat. 2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta. Toss pasta and beef together. Moisten with some of the reserved beef cooking liquid, if desired. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Turkey & Rice

Plain rice is always a hit with toddlers. Feel free to substitute chicken for the turkey in this recipe. 6 -ounce portion turkey breast tenderloin 1/4 cup cooked white rice 1. In a small saucepan. cook turkey portion in enough boiling water to cover for 15 minutes or until turkey is n o l o n g e r p ink (inte r nal temperature should be 170F). Remove from saucepan; cool. Reserve the water the turkey was cooked in. Finely chop the turkey. 2. In a small bowl combine the turkey with the cooked rice. Add just enough of the reser ved cooking liquid to moisten. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 1

Use tiny pasta, such as stars or alphabet shapes in this recipe. The smaller shapes are easier for toddlers to eat. 1 6 -ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast half 2 m edium carrots (6 ounces), peeled and cut in 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup cooked tiny pasta 1. In a medium saucepan, cook chicken breast half in enough boiling water to cover for 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (internal temperature should be 170F), adding the carrot to the boiling water the last 10 minutes of cooking. Drain chicken and carrot, reserving cooking liquid. Cool chicken and carrots. 2. Finely chop chicken and carrots and combine in a medium bowl with the cooked pasta. Add just enough of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Use within 1 day, or freeze up to 1 month. To Freeze: Spoon finished food into ice cube trays. Cover with waxed paper and freeze until firm. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Homemade Baby Food

Feeding Myths Every Parent Should Know

Myth 4: Children under the age of 1 should not be switched to low-fat or skim milk until school age.
Reality: You can usually switch to lower-fat cows milk at age 2. Babies at risk for being overweight should be started on 2% milk after their first birthday, and switched to 1% milk when they turn 2.

Well- meaning advice from grandparents, friends, and society in general can make it difficult to separate myth from reality. This is more accurate information about the most popular feeding myths.

Myth 1: Some babies are allergic to their mothers milk.

Reality: No baby is allergic to its mothers milk. Some babies can have allergic reactions to the foods Mom is eating during breastfeeding, including cows milk, but, in general, women should feel good about nursing.

Myth 2: Breastfed infants need water too.

Reality: Breast milk is the only fluid your child needs. Unless your baby develops a medical condition in which your pediatrician recommends introducing other fluids, a breastfed baby shouldnt be drinking water until he is eating solid food -- usually at 4 - 6 months.

Myth 5: If you have food allergies, your baby will too.

Reality: Your trigger foods may not cause a reaction in your babys diet.

Myth 3: You cant get pregnant while you breastfeed.

Reality: Breastfeeding is not a reliable source of birth control. She can still become vulnerable to conception after a few months, and when menses resume, she is at a risk.

Myth 6: Sugars cause hyperactivity in children.

Reality: Its the birthday party not the birthday cakethat makes your child hyper.

Q.

Eating Q & A
My 7-month-old eats no more than a couple of tablespoonfuls of food per day. How much should she be eating?
eating small amounts of food because shes not wild about spoon feeding or is still adjusting to the whole eating thing, try increasing the number of times you offer baby food to two to three times a day so she can practice. Answer: Dont worry about the numbers, and concentrate more on gradual improvement as the days and weeks go by, says Paul Contini, MD, a pediatrician in San Jose and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on nutrition. If you think your kid is

Q.

Question: My 8-month-old hates meat. What can I do?

California-San Francisco Childrens Hospital. Nonetheless, continue to offer meat to your child. Mix it with other foods you know he likes, and you can go straight to mixed dinner baby foods, such as carrots and beef or apples and chicken.

Answer: While meat is important for babies because its a source of iron, your child can also get iron from other foods, such as fortified infant cereal and green vegetables, says Liz McMillan, RD, a clinical nutritionist at the University of

Homemade Baby Food