Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

My ped. gave us the a-okay to start one ingredient baby food I was thinking of trying to make my own initially. Any thoughts from those moms who tried? I have heard it's not terribly time-consuming... is that just a myth?

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Its sooo easy to make purees...so easy. All you need are some nice veggies, a steamer and a blender (I use a Braun hand blender, but I also have a rocket blender...) You can start with something like sweet potatoes, or squash...get yourself Annabel Karmels 100 baby purees, its a fantastic book.

FM me if you have any questions, I made all my own babyfood because I think babyfood in jars smells (and tastes) like dogfood!!!

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Thanks majen for asking! I've been wondering about this myself.

Racheeeee, how do you go about making the baby's foods? Do you make it on demand, or do you prepare it in advance? I would like to start doing the same, and don't know whether I should make a load and store it, or prepare foods daily. Any help, tip, suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Message edited 1/3/2007 2:58:24 PM.

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Fruits and veggies are easy, you can make them ahead and freeze. With Sarah I used tupperware ice trays that had covers. I used the book super baby food.

Cereal I just buy the boxed, seems like a lot of work to me. When we got to meats I was preggo with Andy and couldn't stomach making meat purees, so I bought jarred meat and veggie or meat and fruit combos. But I read the labels and only bought the stuff that had the meat and fruit or veggie and water. I didn't want all the spices.

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Super Baby Food is a great book, too. I borrowed it from Michele31 and it helped me alot.

You can make as much food in advance as you'd like. I made carrots, avocado, mango, peaches, pears and sweet potatoes in advance and used ice cube trays to freeze the puree in perfect portions for the baby. Once the food is frozen solid, you can pop it out of the trays and store it in ziploc freezer bags, labeled with the name of the food and date it was made. Most foods are good for about 1-3 months or so in the freezer.

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

its so easy to make and cost effective

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

It was very easy to make your own.

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

After food has been stored in the freezer/fridge, how do you defrost/warm it up?

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

I've tried making my own and DD doesn't really like it. I guess I can't get it to the same smooth consistency of the jarred food and she kind of turns her nose up at it. I've only tried green beans, chicken with broccoli (from the Chinese place when we were having it -- asked for it with no MSG) and beets. I think I'm going to try to give it another whirl.

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

I freeze it in ice cube trays and either take it out a few hours beforehand or stick it in the microwave.

Pharmcat...if your baby doesn't like the consistancy, why not try passing it through a sieve. That might help!

I think it keeps for a month. Noah loved purees like Leek, Spinich and Potato, Lentils, veggies and cheese...The Annabel Karmel books are the best!!

Message edited 1/3/2007 4:36:34 PM.

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

racheeeee... I just ordered your book recommendation from Amazon. Thanks for all of the helpful information. I'm going to give this homemade food thing a whirl

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food

Posted by majen

racheeeee... I just ordered your book recommendation from Amazon. Thanks for all of the helpful information. I'm going to give this homemade food thing a whirl

Re: Homemade vs. Store-bought baby food