Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

this is long, because well-- I can't get my point across quickly!!

So far I have upped the cereal to twice a day. She totally gets what eating is now-- and is ingesting food, as yesterday's enormous poop proved. I wanted to get that down, get her used to the routine (and me too), before we moved on.

Next steps is orange veggies-- and I plan to make my own food. Thing is-- I have a ton of things going on, and I don't have time to research find recipes, etc. Literally every second I have that I am not tending to her-- I need to be working (I have a freelance assignment), or taking care of the house, etc. or sleeping . Meaning I so should not even be posting now-- time is money!! So, I was thinking of trying to figure this all out next weekend when my project is over and start then. I figure two weeks of two meals a day is good for routine-- then change up the foods-- or should I start sooner?

The other thing is, and this may cancel out the first problem- we are going away for two weeks on the 29th. We are renting a house on the Jersey Shore-- so, it's not a problem to bring a bunch of food-- but I am worried about transporting already frozen homemade food. What do you think?

Or should I just buy store-bought til we get home from vacay and call it a day. I REALLY wanted to just give her food I made. But, I am thinking just cause of everything hitting at once it may be too much.

AND, if making the food is supereasy-- can someone give me cliffs notes for sweet potatoes and carrots?? But, I still have the transportation issue.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

With everything you have going on, buy it .

Is it easy, yes but it is also time consuming. You can easily spend an hour to 2 hours just making baby food.

You really just steam everything and puree it. To make it thinner you can add water or apple juice with sweet potatoes. With carrots you never want to take the liquid it was cooking in because it contains nitrates from the carrots.

I really like this website. One thing I did notice is that not everything is worth making at home if you are trying to save some money. Peas and pears I noticed didn't go far and it cost me more money to make it at home.

Wholesome baby food

Message edited 8/13/2009 4:56:20 PM.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

It's really not that complicated at all.

I would just bring a cooler for transporting. How long is the trip from you? If it's not more than 2 or 3 hrs, I think it would be fine and its baby food so a small little cooler would be fine.

Baking Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:

1. Wash and poke holes in sweet potato with fork then wrap sweet potatoes in tin foil - do not peel for baking/microwaving.
2. Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 30-60 minutes or until soft

3. Remove skins by slitting the sweet potato lengthwise when cooled then scoop out the "meat". Use a liquid from your preferred source to puree or thin the sweet potatoes.



Boiling/Steaming Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:

1. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small chunks
2. Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato
3. "Steam" boil until tender, be sure to check on the water level.
4. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the sweet potatoes if desired.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

When I gave Abby fresh carrots and sweet potatoes and carrots, I just made them as I would make them for myself and puree them with a little bit of margarine (she is dairy free). No special recipe.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

Message edited 8/13/2009 4:58:15 PM.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

I am sure even if they defrost a bit, nothing bad is going to happen.
If you are that worried, get some jars for trip, or I am sure there is a Target somewhere near where you are staying where you can buy them.

Message edited 8/13/2009 5:25:17 PM.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

We make 95% of DS's food. As PP mentioned, wholseomebabyfood.com is great. I don't make carrots b/c I was worried about the nitrates. I buy Earth's Best. There are a couple of other time consuming solids that I'd rather just buy.

When we went on vacation, we used jarred food. For us, it's much more convenient especially if we're out and about. I'd rather not heat up the frozen cubes at home if DS isn't going to be eating for a while and I don't want to try to warm it up while out.

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

this recipe is a big hit in our house, also check out the others listed for starters...

as far as transporting goes, with DD#1 we used to transport frozen cubes in coolers with ice packs, with DD#2 i found jarred food easier with 2 mouths to feed...

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms

Re: Need advice on solid foods from BTDT Moms