You know it's time to start feeding your little one something other than breast milk or formula, but what should you feed him? There are plenty of options in the Baby Section at the grocery store, but a more cost effective and nutritious way to satisfy your baby's hunger is to make your own baby food.
To begin making your own baby food, you must first select the foods. These should include fresh fruits and vegetables. When fresh is not available, frozen goods are fine. Some parents choose to serve fruits first, while others choose to serve vegetables. Either way is fine.
Make sure not to feed your baby cooked meats until he or she is 8 months old, unless your doctor advises otherwise. You should never feed your baby raw meat or fish. When preparing fruits and vegetables for your baby, it is important to make sure they are soft enough for them to eat; this mean most vegetables will need to be cooked before serving. Finally, when trying out a new food with your baby, make sure to wait a few days before trying another so that you can spot an allergic reaction.
The second step in making your own baby food is to have the proper tools. The most important tool would be the grinder. This will process the food so that your baby can digest it. There are hand grinders available that are easy to use. These are often small enough to be portable and are easy to clean. When a grinder isn't available, a simple knife and fork will do, as will a blender. You will also need baby spoons and storage containers for extra processed food.
The third step in homemade baby food is storage. You will undoubted have leftovers as babies eat very small portions at first. Throw out whatever food your baby has eaten from because the saliva in the food will make it easy for bacteria to grow. Foods that your baby's saliva hasn't touched can be stored either in the refrigerator or the freezer. The fridge will keep foods fresh in an air tight container fresh for a couple of days. Foods in the freezer will keep for much longer periods. If you want to unfreeze portion-size amounts, divide the processed foods in to ice cube trays.
Making baby food may be an intimidating thought at first, but with the proper tools, it is really very simple. Not only that, but it will also save you money and help the environment. You won't be throwing out baby food packaging or buying extra special pre-made foods. As if that isn't enough, the fact that you will be providing your baby with the best nourishment possible will be especially rewarding.
To begin making your own baby food, you must first select the foods. These should include fresh fruits and vegetables. When fresh is not available, frozen goods are fine. Some parents choose to serve fruits first, while others choose to serve vegetables. Either way is fine.
Make sure not to feed your baby cooked meats until he or she is 8 months old, unless your doctor advises otherwise. You should never feed your baby raw meat or fish. When preparing fruits and vegetables for your baby, it is important to make sure they are soft enough for them to eat; this mean most vegetables will need to be cooked before serving. Finally, when trying out a new food with your baby, make sure to wait a few days before trying another so that you can spot an allergic reaction.
The second step in making your own baby food is to have the proper tools. The most important tool would be the grinder. This will process the food so that your baby can digest it. There are hand grinders available that are easy to use. These are often small enough to be portable and are easy to clean. When a grinder isn't available, a simple knife and fork will do, as will a blender. You will also need baby spoons and storage containers for extra processed food.
The third step in homemade baby food is storage. You will undoubted have leftovers as babies eat very small portions at first. Throw out whatever food your baby has eaten from because the saliva in the food will make it easy for bacteria to grow. Foods that your baby's saliva hasn't touched can be stored either in the refrigerator or the freezer. The fridge will keep foods fresh in an air tight container fresh for a couple of days. Foods in the freezer will keep for much longer periods. If you want to unfreeze portion-size amounts, divide the processed foods in to ice cube trays.
Making baby food may be an intimidating thought at first, but with the proper tools, it is really very simple. Not only that, but it will also save you money and help the environment. You won't be throwing out baby food packaging or buying extra special pre-made foods. As if that isn't enough, the fact that you will be providing your baby with the best nourishment possible will be especially rewarding.
About the Author:
J.M. Patin is a staff writer for a company which publishes websites on education topics including college admission, scholarships, and online degree and online college programs.
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