Making your own baby food may seem like a chore but in actual fact it can save you a huge amount of money.
Supermarket jars of baby food are costly and by making your own you can widen your baby’s taste buds and allow them to try many different types of food.
The average baby eats six hundred jars of baby food per year and as most jars are the best part of a euro or more, it can cost your family up to €600 every year. More importantly, it is always nice to know exactly what goes into your baby’s mouth.
We have some tips to help you on your way to making your own baby food. Bon Appétit!
What foods can your baby eat?
Generally, babies can eat most foods so don’t worry too much about the ingredients.
Saying that, foods such as honey, peanut butter, shellfish and strawberries should not be fed to your baby.
Shellfish and nuts in particular can cause allergic reactions. Whole milk should not be used in a baby’s diet until they are at least twelve months old.
Making your baby food
Making your baby food can be easy. Most of the food from your family’s dinner can be used to make baby food.
For example boiled or steamed vegetables from dinner can be whizzed up quite easily and made into baby food. As long as meat is well cooked then it is perfect for baby, steamed, boiled or roasted.
Avoid deep fat fryers and do not add salt to your baby’s dinner. If the mixture is too thick, add some breast milk or formula to thin it out.
Try to incorporate your baby into your family dinners from the outset. It is easier to whizz up something you have already cooked than to cook a whole different array of vegetables and meats for your baby.
Baked fruits are perfect to blitz in your food processor and freeze for later use.
Serving your baby food
If you have frozen your homemade baby food, it is okay to thaw the food in your microwave.
Do not feed your baby as soon as the mixture has come out of the microwave but instead mix it well. This cools down the mixture and distributes heat from the hot spots.
The tools
You will need some kind of blender, either hand held or standalone, to make your baby food. It's worth your while investing one of these because it will save you money in the long term.
In addition to this, you will need appropriate storage containers - we think ice cube trays are a great way to store baby food. Purchase a few and sterilise them in your dishwasher.
When you have cooked and blended your foods, fill up the trays and cover tightly with cling film before freezing. Make sure to date everything in your freezer.
Fruit and vegetable mixtures will last up to six months but mixtures with meat or fish will only last six weeks so be wary.
