[mondk]

I have wanted to start trying to make some...I bought a recipe book for making your own baby food and for Christmas my brother got us a mini food processor.

My Joshie is used to different textures now and I think it would be a fine time to start making our own.

Any others out there?

Blessings, Michelle

[Erin_1712]

my mother always did for my little brothers but she never used recipes she just ground up whatever we were eating for super. That way when the food can be more coarse and become peices the transition to "real" food was seamless.

[Empty_Nest]

Baby food mill

This baby food mill seems to work very well. My SIL used it for both her kids (same concept, but a different brand, I think). It just grinds up whatever everyone else is eating and then you feed the child right from the mill, so no extra dishes to wash. She only had one but I'd have a couple if it was me, so in case one was dirty the other would be ready to go. These travel well in the diaper bag, too.

If you're familiar with ricers, that's pretty much what this device does but in a neater, more convenient fashion. The hand crank eliminates any need for electricity or batteries, so it's great for camping or anywhere.

[HBV]

I made a lot of H's---usually just pureed whatever we were having as long as it didn't contain any of the "no-no" substances for babies, like honey, nuts, or strawberries in it. I'd thin stuff as necessary w/ juice, water, milk or broth.

Maybe H just had an easy personality anyway, but he's always been a really adventurous eater and as Erin says, it makes the transition to adult food seamless.

[bajj]

I made my youngest son's baby food. He refused to eat store bought. It was rather easy for me, I just used my steamer and my blender. I chose one day a week to make the whole week's worth and froze it in small containers. I saved the broth I steamed the veggies in to mix with his cereal.

[dawnrenee58]

I do/did. M has never had baby food. I am sure after eating all "real" food he would hate it! I just steam whatever it is until it is soft soft. Then I use a baby food processor to puree it. As time has gone on, I have stopped the puree and done chunks for him to mash. We also eat a lot of yogurt, cottage cheese, unsweetened applesauce, etc. I also buy the cans of no salt added veggies like green beans, etc. He loves them! Especially the mixed veggies.

[OnTheJourney]

I made all my own babyfood. I would batch cook and freeze either in ice cube trays or small glad containers. I would also give ds some of what we were eating at dinner. It was nice to have a freezer full of food though, when our food was not so child friendly, or for lunch when Mommy just wants nachos and salsa! lol
I still batch cook some toddler food (ds is 18 months) and have it on hand for quick, healthy meals.
Feel free to ask for ideas if you need!

[Empty_Nest]

There used to be an e book collection of baby food recipes available on eBay. It's near-instant gratification because the recipe e books come as a download to your e mail account. Cost is usually only a couple of dollars.

Half.com is a good place to pick up bargain books.

[Rondidondi]

I had so much fun making baby food. I used ice cube tray freezing method.
A coffee bean grinder works awesome for rice and other grains. (Barely, oats, millet)
1/3 cup rice ground up. Boil 1 cup of water. Add rice and cook for 10 min, stirring. (Makes enough for 2-3 days) Throw a nut or two in the grinder and add to the cereal too. MMMM-my lil guy loved it.
I had gotten dome baby food from a friend, and my son actually refused it. It was spit out faster than it went in.

[powderpiggy]

I make all DS's food. He has only been eating solid food for about a month but has only had homemade food. He LOVES his homemade rice cereal and everything else he has tried. I would recommend reading the book 'super baby food' not only are there recipes but it is a great referece tool on how to prepare, preserve, etc.

[jalapeno]

I've made baby food in a mini food processor from time to time. I'm sure you'll enjoy it! It really opens up a lot of possibilities - your baby's diet can more closely match your own which works out great. But I also wanted to comment that he might be ready for more regular solids sooner than you think. My baby boy is just a little older I think (born May 25th). We've been giving him little bits of regular food for at least a month to experiment with (bits of steamed veggie, banana, melon, crackers, rice, yogurt, cheese, bread, pasta). He really only has two bottom teeth (a top tooth is just barely poking through). But he's getting really good at gumming little bits of food before swallowing. Our first baby was on regular foods entirely by maybe 11 months old (cut into tiny bits obviously). Our pediatrician recommends no more pureed food by 12 months. Just a thought

[asauer]

We make our own baby food as well. I really like the book, Blender Baby Food. Lots of good recipes and tips divided by age. I have a hand held blender which works great....I noticed that with the food processor it was harder to control the consistency.

[kayb]

I went to our local fruit stand and asked them if they had any fruit on "their way out" I told her I make my own baby food.

The ladies there LOADED me up with fruit and veggys for $3 for two grocery bags full!

I had to cook/freeze them that night, but that's something to keep in mind, especially during in-season summer months.

[wauntiek]

I used to use a small processor also, just put chicken breast and some formula...

[mondk]

Okay, I've been doing both....he won't eat anything green except for broccoli. He gags on green beans and peas...should I add some seasoning to them. His favorite of course, is mashed potatoes. Oh and carrots...cooked really tender then just mashed and I feed him right off my plate.

One night my older son and I were having tomato soup and grilled cheese. I gave Joshie a couple bites of soup, and he went stir crazy. He ended up eating my whole bowl and wanted more! He loves tomatoey things and plus I make mine with whole milk so he got in some of his milk requirements too.

How do you all season your baby food you make? Maybe if I season the green ickies, he might like them next time around? Would Mrs. Dash be too spicy?

Blessings, Michelle