Moms who make their own babyfood

Do you make carrots or use the jarred ones?
I have read a few times not to make them bc of the nitrates but I am not sure how true it is....how do you feel?

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

I have read the articles on wholesomebabyfood.....I also tried to make my own in the food processor and can't get them smooth enough (maybe I didn't steam them long enough, I don't know)---so for me, based on those 2 things I am just going to buy organic carrots babyfood and make the rest! HTH!

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

My doctor told me not to make a root vegetables homemade because of nitrates. He said if I use fresh organic veggies I should research the farm and see if their is nitrates int he soil they use. My DS is 9.5 months ND thus far I have used mostly jarred root veggies. Now that he is getting older I may start making some of those veggies fresh. I only use organic fresh veggies for him.

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

My ped told me to that if I was going to make my own babyfood that I should not make my own carrots because of the nitrates. But then I found that there are lots of moms whose peds have never heard of such a thing.

Then I also read the article on wholesomebabyfoods.com and it said there is no way to get the nitrates out of carrots so it's most likely in the jarred baby food as well.

I ended up making my own carrots and DS loves them. If it makes you more comfortable, make sure DC is at least 6 months before giving home made carrots because I think at that point they can handle any nitrates better.

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

I make my own carrots but if I need to use water to smooth them out a little more I don't use the water I steamed them in. I use purified water instead. Honestly I'm not too concerned about the whole nitrate thing. I read that it happens in less than 1% of children. That's just me though

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

I don't get the nitrate thing. I make DS' own carrot food. It's organic!

I don't use the juice it's cooked in since I steam them. I use bottle water to puree.

Why does it matter? I mean all plants have roots in the ground, don't they?

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

I havent made carrots yet but I plan to...I am just not going to use the water they were boiled in to thin them out...I will use different water...I also read on a baby food site I think the same as the PP mentioned that even if jarred baby food says there are no nitrates there still are, its impossible to get them all out!

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

Ive been making carrots and other foods for my daughter and never heard of this before.

With that said, I have to say they (my girls) have never had a problem or reaction because of it - so Im going to continue to do so and make them myself.

Message edited 7/22/2008 6:06:59 PM.

Re: Moms who make their own babyfood

I made them anyway. I read up on the nitrates and just didnt use the "water that was steamed" out...I felt safe enough though.