Making Your Own Healthy Baby Food at Home

When you are blessed with a newborn baby, it is important to get the child off to a good start by feeding them with the most nutritious baby food that you can find. Baby food is readily available at your local grocery store and although some brands claim to be healthy, most bottled baby foods are processed and contain chemicals and preservatives that are not ideal for a baby’s consumption. One of the best ways to ensure your child gets the nutrients that he or she needs and avoids unnecessary additives is to make your own baby shower food.

Making your own baby shower favors like baby food is not hard. Actually, it is very easy to make and with a little experience, it will become a simple part of your daily routine. Homemade food is not only cheaper, but more delicious as well. It has no extenders and is definitely healthier than the bottled variety. Here are some simple to follow recipes that your baby is sure to love.

When doing any of these recipes, please do not use mineral water or bottled water with mineral salts in it. Always use distilled sterile water for this does not usually have sediments. The sediments may be harmful to the immature intestinal tract of the child. Note that the GI tract is immature until two years of age so use the right water.

A great vegetable to start with is the carrot as this is full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Simply wash the carrots clean and peel. Cut up into small pieces and place in saucepan. Make a batch as this can last up to three or four days in the fridge. Add bottled clear water to level off with the carrots and set to the lowest flame. Eventually, it will simmer and the carrots will soften. Remove from heat and mash. For finer results, push the mashed carrots through a metal sieve, but do not moisturize! This will release a gummy consistency and the taste could change. For babies four to six months the consistency should be really fine at first to gradually rougher in texture as the child gets older. The older child should be able to chew some tiny bits with their baby teeth if they already have them.

Apple sauce is usually a favorite among babies. Simply peel and core two or three Red Delicious apples, cut up into small pieces and put water to the level of the fruits. Simmer gradually on lowest heat until the apples are soft and easy to mash. Mash thoroughly through a sieve if need be and remove any pits or peel that may have been overlooked. This apple sauce should stay four days up to a week in the fridge.

The same system can be used with peaches. Do exactly the same thing as with the apples for the fresh peaches. Do not use canned peaches if the child is below six months of age. If the child is around six months the making of baby food is easier. Simply grab a can, drain the light syrup and place in clean container. Get the peach halves and push through the sieve and serve to the child.
Again, the finer the texture the better for younger babies, but gradually introduce the different textures so they learn how to chew.

You can even make your own baby food as gifts to other mothers or if you want to make your own baby shower favors for a baby shower party. As can be seen from the simple recipes above, healthy baby food does not have to be bought off the shelf. It can be made in a snap over the stove and will save lots of money.