Easy Homemade Baby Food Ideas

Homemade Baby Food Ideas-Feeding your baby can be one of the most daunting tasks a new parent faces. With all of the conflicting information out there, it can be tough to know what is best for your child. In this article, we will provide you with some easy homemade baby food ideas that will help to make the process a little bit easier.

Homemade Baby Food

We will show you how to make homemade baby food easily and quickly. Making Homemade Baby Food There are several different ways to make homemade baby food. You can use a blender or food processor to chop fruits and vegetables, or you can cook them in a saucepan. If you are using a blender or food processor, you can also add water or breast milk to make a smooth puree.

If you are cooking the fruits and vegetables, you can steam them, boil them or bake them. Once they are cooked, you can either mash them with a fork or puree them in a blender or food processor.

Best Way to Make Baby Food

I have found that the easiest and most convenient way to make baby food is to just use a blender. With fresh ingredients and a little water, breast milk, or formula to dilute as needed, you can easily make your baby’s food without investing in equipment you may not use very often.

Tools You Need to Make Homemade Baby Food

To make these baby food recipes you’ll need:

Blender (you could also use an immersion blender if yours is very strong)
Water, formula, or breastmilk to thin as needed
Knife for chopping produce
Spoon
Bowls
Ice cube tray
Freezer bags for storage
Baby food storage containers

Stage 1 Baby Food

These baby foods are meant for early feeding as they are usually very thin and easy for a baby to move around in their mouth. I follow the recommendations to wait until 6 months to start solids, so I personally don’t worry too much about this difference as I like babies to experience some texture in their purees. (The ones you get in the store are low allergen foods and last for 4+ months.)

Stage 2 Baby Food

These baby foods are usually a little denser, sometimes include multiple ingredients, and offer a variety of ingredients. Most babies are ready for these types of purees around 7-8 months or once they have mastered thin purees. (Again, since I like to do a combined formula with both formula and puree, I don’t worry too much about following a calendar to determine when to introduce these.)

Chicken Breast

Cut chicken breast into small pieces and place them in a pot. Add boiling water and cover the pot. Let simmer for 45 minutes. Strain liquid and put in another pot. Allow liquid to cool down and remove fat layer using a spoon. Make sure you get rid of any bones and skin before adding it to baby food.

Eggs

Place eggs in a pot and add boiling water. Cover pot and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from stove and allow to cool. Crack shells and separate yolk from whites. Put both together and mix well. You may also use one whole egg if you want; however, I prefer to split the difference.

Fish

Add fish fillets to a pot and cover with water. Bring to boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. After cooking, drain cooked fish and cut into cubes. If you have leftover fish, freeze until solid, then break into smaller chunks.

Yogurt

Simply combine milk and yogurt. Mix thoroughly and blend well. Pour mixture in jars and store in fridge if desired. Your yogurt should not smell bad at all!

Peas

Put frozen peas in a pot and cover with cold water. Boil until soft. Drain and then mash peas. Mash well and then season with salt. Store in a container in fridge for future use.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Combine vinegar and water in a jar and shake. Use 1/8 cup wine vinegar per gallon of water. Do not use apple cider vinegar in this recipe. This is simply an adult sized recipe.

Banana

Cut banana into pieces. Combine bananas and sugar; mix together. Blend with butter and vanilla extract. Place in baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve warm.

Homemade Baby Food Storage

I have been making homemade baby food since my first child was born. When I finally got around to writing about how I created some great recipes, I figured it would be helpful to share with everyone else what I did exactly. In fact, these were some of the easiest things I’ve ever made!

In addition, I tried out different storage containers to find the ones that work best for me.

Here’s a list of everything that I purchased and used:

1 Quart Jug – Target (affiliate link)
9 x 12 baking dish – Target (affiliate links)
2 Large Ziploc Bags – Walmart (affiliate link)
4 Small Ziploc bags – Walmart (affiliate links)

For the container, I chose a rectangular shape with a lid. But you could make this recipe work just fine in any container that you choose. You don’t need to have a lot of space for storing canned foods; even something small should do the trick.

You can also use glass jars instead of plastic if you prefer. If you’re using glass, make sure they are clean, dry, and free of any residue. The bottom of the jar doesn’t really matter; the top matters. Look for a wide mouth jar that fits well inside the container you have chosen. Also, note that not all glass jars are the same size; you may want to measure the width of the jar you plan to buy before purchasing it.

There are several ways you can store your food. My favorite method is to put the ingredients in a large zippered bag (like a sandwich bag) then place them in an airtight container. This way, your food stays fresher longer. Don’t forget to label the contents clearly and store your food in a cool, dark area. Make sure to rotate your jars once every 6 months to avoid spoiling your food.

Baby Food Recipes for 6, 7, and 8 Month Old Babies

There are lots of different baby food recipes that you could try out. There are also some unique ones to make for your child even if they already have allergies. Once you choose a recipe, look at what ingredients you need to get started. You might be able to find these ingredients at your local grocery store, but sometimes you may not be sure where to find them. That’s why we chose to put together a list of the ingredients of popular baby foods.

Ingredients

You’ll want to keep a few items handy whenever making baby food. We’ve included everything that you’d need from your regular pantry, plus a few extras just for good measure!

Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products are great for babies. A lot of parents think that their milk supply will dry up after they’re done breastfeeding, but that isn’t necessarily true. Milk continues to provide nutrition for a newborn until around the age of two. If you’re using formula, keep a bottle of water nearby in case your little one wants to drink while feeding.

Fruits & Vegetables

These are going to be high on the list of things you should be getting your child before trying any other foods. Not only do fruits and vegetables taste delicious, they are packed full of vitamins and minerals. While you won’t need to buy a whole bunch of produce each week, it’s best to start off small and slowly increase as your baby grows.

Meat & Seafood

It’s been said that meat and seafood aren’t always safe options for young children due to contamination issues. However, there are certain meats that are perfectly fine for kids of all ages. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, shrimp, shellfish, and turkey are all safe choices for young infants. Other than that, stick to low-risk foods like ground beef, hamburger patties, and uncured ham. Check with your pediatrician before giving your baby anything else.

Grains

Like vegetables and fruits, grains are also great for baby. Rice, oats, quinoa, millet, barley, buckwheat, corn, and wheat are all safe options for anyone under the age of 6. Your baby doesn’t have to eat a whole bowl of cereal each day, though. Start slow and gradually work your way up to larger portions.

Sweeteners

While honey and maple syrup are both considered to be sweeteners, they are completely different. Honey is made from flowers and beeswax, whereas maple syrup comes from trees. Both are extremely nutritious and can be given to infants starting at birth, but it’s never a bad idea to check with your doctor first.

The right choice for your family is clear. When choosing what foods to give your baby, make sure they’re the best choice. Don’t go for convenience, either. Instead, choose nutritious foods that are easy to prepare and taste great.

Easy Homemade Baby Food Ideas

Homemade Baby Food

Best Way to Make Baby Food

Stage 1 Baby Food

Stage 2 Baby Food