Did you/do you make your own baby food?

What are your reasons for doing this or not doing this?

Any tips you can give me? I think I might try it this week... I took a look at that wholesomebabyfood website to get an idea of what I need to do but figured you girls would prob have great tips as well.

Dd (5.5 months) has only had oatmeal up until this point so were starting out very basic.

TIA!

Did you/do you make your own baby food?

We also just started but I have made a few things. I've found it easier than I expected and it's definitely cheaper. For $2 I made enough sweet potatoes to last till she's on table foods! Same with butternut squash. I already had ice cube trays and a food processor so I didn't have to buy a thing. I use wholesomebabyfood.com also which has been helpful. I've also made apples and am planning to make green beans next. We've also done bananas and avocado but no cooking there which is even easier.

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I did for DS & DD... I dont know why but baby food in the jar grossed me out... it just didnt taste "real" to me... I found it so much easier to make my own... I think in some cases, it also saved money, because I could take leftovers that DH & I would have thrown out, and just blend it up and stick it in the freezer for DC... It also made it easier for me to transition to more real food... I just wouldnt blend it as smooth for them, so I never had to worry about the different stages on the jars...

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I did mainly because of cost. For example, bananas are around .49-.69 cents a pound. 1 little 4 ounce jar is around .89-.99 cents.

I was given the regular (not baby) Magic Bullet as a bridal shower gift. Never even registered for it. Now it's the most used small appliance in my house.

Tip: Make a lot and freeze in ice cube trays then pop into zip lock bags.

It is time consuming but when DS was first starting solids, one batch of 3-5 different fruits and veggies lasted a month.

I did buy jar and pouch foods for convenience on the go or if I couldn't find a particular food in the store.

ETA: Some good starter foods for your LO:
Bananas - just add a little water or formula/BM to blender. No need to cook first.
Sweet Potato - Bake until soft, then blend
Pears, Apples, Carrots - Boil/steam until soft, then blend. With carrots, due to them having natural nitrates, I've read to use fresh water to blend with, not the water they were cooked in.

Message edited 11/11/2012 11:57:00 AM.

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I've made avocados, apples, bananas, pears, and even mixed some of them. I do it for health reasons. I just cant see jarred food, which doesnt need to be kept refrigerated, and has a shelf life way longer than what the actual food is, can be that healthy. I'm sure its fine, im just a little narotic! It does also save $$ and is super easy. A lot easier than i thought it would be!

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I did it because it was soooo much cheaper. Money was very tight. She always had it and then when I tried to use jarred she hated it. We had a 'try it before she does' rule. If we wouldn't eat it, she wouldn't eat it. There were some pouches she liked later on but mostly NONE of the regular jarred foods worked for her. I think it helped move her along to table foods seamlessly and she's definitely not a picky eater.

It saved me so much money.

plus I always knew exactly what she was eating.

Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I did bc I wanted to and it was easy. I stayed at home for her first year and when she napped I would whip up a bunch of whatever was fresh at the supermarket and freeze the rest. So fast and easy, and I always had a nice stock of frozen foods ready to defrost whenever she needed them.

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

My reasoning was controlling what goes into the food. Have you ever looked at jarred bananas? They are PINK!!!! That convinced me.


It's really really easy. So cheap and fun too! Plus I started putting onions and spices into my guys food and he eats like a champ now.

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I made some and used jarred for some. I felt really proud when I made her food (and it's definitely cheaper!) and pretty bummed when she wouldn't eat it! lol.

DD2 just started eating veggies this week and I've only given her jarred carrots. I have every intention of making hers too, just haven't gotten to the store to buy all the organic veggies.

Any advice on defrosting? DD1 loved when the food was fresh, but if it was defrosted she would turn it down. Diva.

Re: Did you/do you make your own baby food?

I used wholesomebabyfood website and my mom also made DS stews with all veggies and chicken or beef or veal etc. It was super easy, cheaper and he loved it! I did use jar food if we were out and about but primarily he ate what I (or my mom) made. Now he is on table food completely.