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babycrazed
LIF Toddler
Member since 5/12 475 total posts
Name:
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benefits of making your own baby food?
As DD gets older, I'm finding it harder to be creative with foods, especially as she enters stage 2 and gets to eat meats. I've been making my own, but notice so much more variety in the jars, especially for combinations of things. When I look at the ingredients in the jars, alot of them just add water. There aren't any preservatives like I thought.
So what are the benefit of homemade food over the jars? Are there any? is it more nutritious somehow?
Trying to figure out if i should get more creative (which means find more time) and keep making it myself or get some jars.
Message edited 8/12/2013 11:06:34 AM.
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Posted 8/12/13 11:04 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
The benefits that kept me going we're that's it's cheaper and fresher to do it yourself. You know exactly what you're feeding DC and know exactly how it was prepared. Also, your child is tasting food as it really tastes, vs tasting food that's been in a jar on a shelf for months. In my opinion the food in the jars/pouches does not taste the same as when I make it fresh. I've used jars for vacation, and going out, or in a pinch, but in general I made all of DDs food.
I did beef and chicken purée and it wasn't nearly as gross as everyone said it would be. I mixed them both with applesauce before I froze them. And DD loved them. And once she could pick up food and feed herself, I just chopped everything up really small and let her eat what we were eating. Steamed veggies cut up, and meat chopped or shredded into tiny pieces. And then a puréed fruit for dessert. I know they make some fancy combinations, but do you eat turkey, sweet potatoes, peas, apples, and strawberries all mashed together for dinner? I liked that DD was learning to eat the way that we ate. And now she will literally eat everything we give her. So I'm glad I made my own food and plan to do it w/ my next too.
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| Posted 8/12/13 11:20 AM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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benefits of making your own baby food?
I found that I didn't like the "blends" offered by some of the food companies, and I wanted the girls to taste each individual food and kjnow what they're eating without constasntly covering up with sweetness. For example, I didn't find a turkey dinner without all of the other things mixed in like carrots, potatoes etc. I'm also not a fan of the super-strained purees anymore because they're eating more chunky foods now. Don't get me wrong, I do buy some pkts of organic food.
For me, it also saves a lot of money. I batch cook their food and store it in freezer bags. I am also concerned with organic ingredients and sometimes I am nervous about the meats in the baby food prepared. There's nothing wrong with citric acid or ascorbic acid in the foods packets, but if I make the food myself and freeze it, we don't need the extra "stuff"
I also buy packets of foods, too. Things like strawberry apple or blueberry banana, because the organic versions of those fruits aren't always available or on sale.... so I guess it's mostly about cost.
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| Posted 8/12/13 11:24 AM |
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Onemoretime
LIF Adult
Member since 9/12 1077 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
I made mainly my own food, but bought certain blends ( earths best) For ex mango blends when mango was not in season, or blends with cherries, some of the breakfast blends like peach oatmeal.
I didn't give jarred meat, I would blend organic chicken or turkey with apples and rice for DC.
Oh How I miss the baby days 
Benefit is that I felt like he was eating fresh food for the most part, and it wasn't too hard to do.I enjoyed it! I wasn't against jarred food at all, but I didn't cook for DH and I (my MIL did because I was working).
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| Posted 8/12/13 11:33 AM |
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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319
The benefits that kept me going we're that's it's cheaper and fresher to do it yourself. You know exactly what you're feeding DC and know exactly how it was prepared. Also, your child is tasting food as it really tastes, vs tasting food that's been in a jar on a shelf for months.
This is the reason I make my own food as wel and because it's 100% organic or local grown. HOnestly, I started purees at 6 months, they moved onto chunky consistencies at 7 months and now at 8 months they feed themselves small pieces of food so there's no need to puree and freeze, just a quick steam depending on what it is. So all that work of batch cooking and freezing is for a relatively short period of time and was worth it for me.
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:28 PM |
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01ellie
LIF Adult
Member since 9/10 2245 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by cateyemm
Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319
The benefits that kept me going we're that's it's cheaper and fresher to do it yourself. You know exactly what you're feeding DC and know exactly how it was prepared. Also, your child is tasting food as it really tastes, vs tasting food that's been in a jar on a shelf for months.
This is the reason I make my own food as wel and because it's 100% organic or local grown. HOnestly, I started purees at 6 months, they moved onto chunky consistencies at 7 months and now at 8 months they feed themselves small pieces of food so there's no need to puree and freeze, just a quick steam depending on what it is. So all that work of batch cooking and freezing is for a relatively short period of time and was worth it for me.
they are feeding themselves! lucky you! mine just want to play with the food...lol see how squishy it feels
but i definitely like making my babies food...its cheaper and fresher but i also feel like they are getting used to the things we eat. they are tasting the flavors i will be cooking normally
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| Posted 8/12/13 2:34 PM |
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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by 01ellie
Posted by cateyemm
Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319
The benefits that kept me going we're that's it's cheaper and fresher to do it yourself. You know exactly what you're feeding DC and know exactly how it was prepared. Also, your child is tasting food as it really tastes, vs tasting food that's been in a jar on a shelf for months.
This is the reason I make my own food as wel and because it's 100% organic or local grown. HOnestly, I started purees at 6 months, they moved onto chunky consistencies at 7 months and now at 8 months they feed themselves small pieces of food so there's no need to puree and freeze, just a quick steam depending on what it is. So all that work of batch cooking and freezing is for a relatively short period of time and was worth it for me.
they are feeding themselves! lucky you! mine just want to play with the food...lol see how squishy it feels
but i definitely like making my babies food...its cheaper and fresher but i also feel like they are getting used to the things we eat. they are tasting the flavors i will be cooking normally
well, half of it gets into their mouth, the other half gets in their bib so we just spoon that into their mouths at the end lol
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| Posted 8/12/13 2:50 PM |
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Atherley
So in Love with my DS
Member since 1/11 1122 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by LIRascal
I found that I didn't like the "blends" offered by some of the food companies, and I wanted the girls to taste each individual food and kjnow what they're eating without constasntly covering up with sweetness. For example, I didn't find a turkey dinner without all of the other things mixed in like carrots, potatoes etc. I'm also not a fan of the super-strained purees anymore because they're eating more chunky foods now. Don't get me wrong, I do buy some pkts of organic food.
For me, it also saves a lot of money. I batch cook their food and store it in freezer bags. I am also concerned with organic ingredients and sometimes I am nervous about the meats in the baby food prepared. There's nothing wrong with citric acid or ascorbic acid in the foods packets, but if I make the food myself and freeze it, we don't need the extra "stuff"
I also buy packets of foods, too. Things like strawberry apple or blueberry banana, because the organic versions of those fruits aren't always available or on sale.... so I guess it's mostly about cost.
This
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| Posted 8/12/13 10:24 PM |
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GoodThoughts
Dreams do come true
Member since 2/12 2259 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
I make DD's food for the same reason why I don't buy canned vegetables or pre-prepared foods for us to eat (DH and me). To me, fresh is always the ideal.
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| Posted 8/12/13 10:28 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
I wondered the same exact thing as you! And I almost gave up on making it! But when I taste the jarred stuff, it just all tastes the same to me. And dd has been pushing away thin purees so now I find it easier to make her whatever we have for dinner and mash it up a little. Plus, if I make it on my own I can infuse it with spices, some healthy oils, etc.
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| Posted 8/13/13 9:58 AM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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benefits of making your own baby food?
I had intended to make all of DD's baby foods but quickly discovered that I didn't have the time or patience. We used Earth's Best (they're organic) and it worked great for us. I think making your own is great if you have the time and resources but I don't think jars are bad either. You have to do what works for you.
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| Posted 8/13/13 10:04 AM |
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LadyS
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/11 382 total posts
Name:
Vicki S
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by ChristinaM128
I wondered the same exact thing as you! And I almost gave up on making it! But when I taste the jarred stuff, it just all tastes the same to me. And dd has been pushing away thin purees so now I find it easier to make her whatever we have for dinner and mash it up a little. Plus, if I make it on my own I can infuse it with spices, some healthy oils, etc.
I agree with this! My dd now eats a mashed version of whatever dh and I eat. and when I was making the purees previously, dh and I would eat adult versions of what I made for her. So when I cooked eggplant to puree, I would make baked eggplant for dh and I.
other than the benefits of knowing exactly what i'm feeding dd, I think DH and I have benefited from eating healthier too---I've definitely lessened the amount of oil and salt I cook with and the amount of veggies I make has increased.
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| Posted 8/13/13 10:15 AM |
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Samira0407
Love being a Mom
Member since 6/08 4030 total posts
Name:
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benefits of making your own baby food?
I make all of DS food. Like others posted I found the jarred or pouches too thin. I just go down the food aisle now to get ideas of what to pick for him. Squash and pears; green beans and peas etc. I haven't offered him meat yet but I just plan to slow cook it and mash it for him. I noticed the jarred foods tasted the same; and to me not that good. When I feed DS he's eating foods that taste good.
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| Posted 8/13/13 1:45 PM |
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Leb
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 4166 total posts
Name:
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by LadyS
Posted by ChristinaM128
I wondered the same exact thing as you! And I almost gave up on making it! But when I taste the jarred stuff, it just all tastes the same to me. And dd has been pushing away thin purees so now I find it easier to make her whatever we have for dinner and mash it up a little. Plus, if I make it on my own I can infuse it with spices, some healthy oils, etc.
I agree with this! My dd now eats a mashed version of whatever dh and I eat. and when I was making the purees previously, dh and I would eat adult versions of what I made for her. So when I cooked eggplant to puree, I would make baked eggplant for dh and I.
other than the benefits of knowing exactly what i'm feeding dd, I think DH and I have benefited from eating healthier too---I've definitely lessened the amount of oil and salt I cook with and the amount of veggies I make has increased.
How do you make an eggplant purée and what age did you introduce? I would think to try it.
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| Posted 8/13/13 4:07 PM |
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LadyS
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/11 382 total posts
Name:
Vicki S
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by Leb
Posted by LadyS
Posted by ChristinaM128
I wondered the same exact thing as you! And I almost gave up on making it! But when I taste the jarred stuff, it just all tastes the same to me. And dd has been pushing away thin purees so now I find it easier to make her whatever we have for dinner and mash it up a little. Plus, if I make it on my own I can infuse it with spices, some healthy oils, etc.
I agree with this! My dd now eats a mashed version of whatever dh and I eat. and when I was making the purees previously, dh and I would eat adult versions of what I made for her. So when I cooked eggplant to puree, I would make baked eggplant for dh and I.
other than the benefits of knowing exactly what i'm feeding dd, I think DH and I have benefited from eating healthier too---I've definitely lessened the amount of oil and salt I cook with and the amount of veggies I make has increased.
How do you make an eggplant purée and what age did you introduce? I would think to try it.
We intro'd it around 9 months. Just sautée small cubes in a tiny bit of olive oil or you can steam until soft. Then throw it into a blender. Now, at 13 months, I just give her them soft w/o pureeing. Sometimes I mix it with some pastina
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| Posted 8/13/13 8:01 PM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
I also give them eggplant. I roast chunks of eggplant (peeled and seeded so I waste a lot) with Olive oil, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of garlic until it's mushy. I smush up some cannelini beans or chick peas with it and feed it for lunch with pastina. Last week, I added tomato paste to it. DH was like OMG yum... make this for us! 
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| Posted 8/13/13 8:30 PM |
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kristin597
Mama!
Member since 8/08 1688 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Can I ask how everyone is preparing their meats? Do you boil or bake chicken? Is it seasoned at all? And when you puree do you add liquid or a pureed veggie so its not so dry? Also, what other meats are you giving?
I've been doing the veggies and fruits completely homemade but the meats intimidate me lol.
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| Posted 8/13/13 8:35 PM |
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Puppy-Love
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 1394 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
Posted by kristin597
Can I ask how everyone is preparing their meats? Do you boil or bake chicken? Is it seasoned at all? And when you puree do you add liquid or a pureed veggie so its not so dry? Also, what other meats are you giving?
I've been doing the veggies and fruits completely homemade but the meats intimidate me lol.
I started meats when DD was ready for finger foods…8-9 months. The thought of pureeing it sounded too gross to me.
So I have pan seared or grilled chicken and cut up into small pieces. I usually add a few dabs of a puree so it isn't so dry.
I also made mini turkey patties and mini meatballs in the oven. Again these need sauce or a puree so they aren't dry and I mash them up into small pieces that are bite size to pick up and eat!
Lastly I have given DD fish at a restaurant twice…just cut little pieces for her…it was a hit!
ETA - forgot to comment about seasonings...on chicken I have used a little adobo seasoning. In the turkey patties an meatballs I used plain bread crumb and maybe a little thyme? I cannot remember what spice I used!
Message edited 8/14/2013 12:24:13 AM.
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| Posted 8/14/13 12:13 AM |
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kristin597
Mama!
Member since 8/08 1688 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: benefits of making your own baby food?
thanks! i think i will go this route.
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| Posted 8/14/13 4:00 PM |
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