For those who make their own baby food...

butterbrickle · May 2009

We aren't at that point yet, but like everything else with DD, I'm sure it will be here before I know it. At what age did you actually start making baby food, and how do you do it? Run the fruits/veggies through the processor and then freeze in ice cube trays? Do you use actual ice cube trays or those special ones that are meant for baby food? And then do you store in the trays or transfer to freezer bags?

I always said I would make baby food, but never really thought of the logistics. What are your reasons for making baby food - is it cheaper? Healthier (I figure that one, but still asking), etc...and did you reference a book that you would recommend?

Thanks!

AngelaL · May 2009

www.wholesomebabyfood.com has a wealth of information.

We started at 6 months. I steam the food, then put it in a food processor, then into ice cube trays. When frozen I put into plastic freezer bags. It pretty east and a great way to save money.

swedish-fish · May 2009

I haven't officially started making her food yet, but plan to make the first few batches this weekend. I bought the Beaba Babycook and will use that to make a few batches of different foods a week, then freeze in the ice cube trays designed for this purpose (I'm sure the regular ones are fine as long as they are BPA-free). After they are frozen, I'll transfter them to plastic bags or tupperware. I'm looking into getting something not plastic for storage, but haven't found anything yet.

I'm making her food because I'd like to control everything that's going into it. I also like the idea of introducing local fruits and veggies. Plus it's cheaper, especially if you go the organic route, which we plan to.

Check out wholesomebabyfood.com. You'll find a ton of recipes for food as well as other general tips.

sare_bear · May 2009

swedish-fish:

I haven't officially started making her food yet, but plan to make the first few batches this weekend. I bought the Beaba Babycook and will use that to make a few batches of different foods a week, then freeze in the ice cube trays designed for this purpose (I'm sure the regular ones are fine as long as they are BPA-free). After they are frozen, I'll transfter them to plastic bags or tupperware. I'm looking into getting something not plastic for storage, but haven't found anything yet.

I'm making her food because I'd like to control everything that's going into it. I also like the idea of introducing local fruits and veggies. Plus it's cheaper, especially if you go the organic route, which we plan to.

Check out wholesomebabyfood.com. You'll find a ton of recipes for food as well as other general tips.

My mother was going to by the Beaba Babycook for us and said after researching it, she found out the plastic is not BPA free. Is that not true?

Agrippa · May 2009

I started making baby food as soon as we started feeding DS solids. We skipped cereal.

Foods like bananas and avocado I just mashed. Other foods I steamed or baked, then pureed in a Magic Bullet. I froze them in old baby food jars that I had from my teaching days.

I used wholesomebabyfood.com. I never bought a book. It actually seemed easier for me to make DS's food than to buy it. I would just puree some frozen veggies and be good to go for a LONG time. It's really easy to make quite a lot of food.

MarlaDossett · May 2009

I started pureeing veggies when DD turned 6 months old just this week. So far, I have made peas and sweet potatoes. I steamed the peas in a steamer basket and steam boiled the sweet potatoes. I pureed them in the Magic Bullet food processor. I am in Korea so I only have access to plastic cube trays, but I have silicone trays on order from the States. After my cubes are frozen, I transfer them to a freezer bag and make the next batch. I'll be making applesauce on Sunday and, eventually, I'll be adding carrots, zucchini, pears, etc. I use wholesomebabyfood.com, as well. I've found it more useful and easier to follow than the book I had gotten.

sare_bear · May 2009

sare_bear:
swedish-fish:

I haven't officially started making her food yet, but plan to make the first few batches this weekend. I bought the Beaba Babycook and will use that to make a few batches of different foods a week, then freeze in the ice cube trays designed for this purpose (I'm sure the regular ones are fine as long as they are BPA-free). After they are frozen, I'll transfter them to plastic bags or tupperware. I'm looking into getting something not plastic for storage, but haven't found anything yet.

I'm making her food because I'd like to control everything that's going into it. I also like the idea of introducing local fruits and veggies. Plus it's cheaper, especially if you go the organic route, which we plan to.

Check out wholesomebabyfood.com. You'll find a ton of recipes for food as well as other general tips.

My mother was going to by the Beaba Babycook for us and said after researching it, she found out the plastic is not BPA free. Is that not true?

https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/news/?p=135

6fsn · May 2009

I started making food when I had a free weekend just before we started cereal. Wholesombabyfood is a great site. I also have a Baby and Toddler Food for Dummies book that is a nice cross reference.

I steam or bake the food then use and immersion blender or the chopper attachment (for meat and chicken) to grind it up. Then I put it in ice cube trays with lids to freeze. Once frozen I pop them into a freezer bag, label, and date.

I chose to make the food for a couple of reasons. The biggest: I don't eat processed food, why would I give it to my kid? I believe it's healthier, but it is definitely cheaper.

I also find it fun. DS and I shop the farmers market (soon our garden). We talk about the food, what he likes, when he'll get something new, etc. Then he comes in the kitchen with me and we talk and play through the process. I even let him lick the spoon when we're done.

meplusone · May 2009

I started making her food at 6 months. I just have a really cheap little food mill thing from a compnay called kidco. I think it was $12 and it's small. I just don't want another huge appliance in my kitchen. I would not invest in anything major b/c really they are only on puree type foods for a few months--after about 9 months they suggest finger foods and foods with more texture. So, whatever you get, you will use for about 3-4 months.

It's so easy to do--my DD is almost 8 months. For veggies we have done: sweet potato, carrots, acorn squash, butternut squash, green beans, peas. I want to try zuc next.

For fruits--banana, avacado and mango I have done by just mushing it and adding water or formula to smooth it out. We have also done pears, peaches and apple through the food mill.

I buy fresh organic sometimes but I also use bags of frozen organic from Whole foods. They have frozen peach slices, etc....

katewinter · May 2009

wholesomebabyfood.com = baby food bible

I started making my own bc I thought that I wouldn't want to eat everything from a jar, why would my baby? I use a food processor, it super easy, then freeze in ice cube trays and transfer to freezer bags. So far I have done sweet potato, carrots, avacado, banana, and apples. I have pears, butternut squash, and zuccini to try next. Once you get started its really easy to do a bunch all at once.

Bonus: now I keep more veggies in the house so I'm eating them more often!

Megan Briggs · May 2009

Ditto on wholeseombabyfood.com. They have specific directions on how to prepare most anything you would feed a baby. The basics are peel, cook and puree (I use a food processor), then put in a regular ice cube tray, cover in plastic wrap, freeze. When it is solid, pop the cubs out and put in a zip lock baggie. Takes about 1.5 hours for a cube to defrost.

I do it because 1) it is a bit cheaper (although I use organic produce so it is not dirt cheap), 2) the food actually looks fresher (my peas are bright green, not a dull brownish green like the jarred food), 3) I like to cook. I figure that I am going to spend the next 18 years cooking for my kids. Why not start now?

6fsn · May 2009

On a side note. I buy organic applesauce for DS. It's about the same cost as making it, but it's an easy shortcut.

If you have an Aldi's near you I highly suggest checking their produce. Avocados are usually 50 cents and I found mangoes for 30 cents.

swedish-fish · May 2009

sare_bear:
sare_bear:
swedish-fish:

I haven't officially started making her food yet, but plan to make the first few batches this weekend. I bought the Beaba Babycook and will use that to make a few batches of different foods a week, then freeze in the ice cube trays designed for this purpose (I'm sure the regular ones are fine as long as they are BPA-free). After they are frozen, I'll transfter them to plastic bags or tupperware. I'm looking into getting something not plastic for storage, but haven't found anything yet.

I'm making her food because I'd like to control everything that's going into it. I also like the idea of introducing local fruits and veggies. Plus it's cheaper, especially if you go the organic route, which we plan to.

Check out wholesomebabyfood.com. You'll find a ton of recipes for food as well as other general tips.

My mother was going to by the Beaba Babycook for us and said after researching it, she found out the plastic is not BPA free. Is that not true?

https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/news/?p=135

Thanks for this! I only read that the machine was BPA-free. I didn't know about the surrounding contraversy. I'm glad I haven't opened the package yet.

ETA - Wait! I just read this article, https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/news/?p=309,
which states the Beaba is, in fact, BPA-free.

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