Jarred or canned baby food options exist in abundance, but the variety of equipment available for making baby food at home is also great. Caregivers may choose to make homemade baby food to save money, to provide healthier options or for the personal satisfaction of cooking for baby. Using frozen cube trays allows caregivers to make larger batches of baby food in one session. Once the right equipment is purchased, a caregiver can easily make up baby food and store it for future use.
Step 1
Purchase a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and grains depending on what your baby is able to eat and what is in season. BabyCenter recommends buying the freshest fruits and vegetables and using them within one or two days. Good first foods include apples, apricots, bananas, mangoes, peaches and sweet potatoes.
Step 2
Wash, peel and slice the foods as needed. Some fruits with softer skins require only slicing. Follow the size recommendations provided by the steamer. Typically, slicing items to quarter-inch strips or rounds is ideal.
Step 3
Place the pieces of one food into the steamer or into a boiling pan of water. When boiling, use only enough water to cover the sliced pieces. Meats can be baked in the oven. Items like bananas or softer fruits don't require cooking or may not need to be cooked all the way through.
Step 4
Test the fruits or vegetables by piercing them with a fork to see if they are cooked. Steaming in a steamer may take between 15 and 25 minutes depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. Boiling takes between 10 and 15 minutes depending on the food item. Thicker foods, like sweet potatoes, will take longer than soft fruits.
Step 5
Cook grains as directed on the package, which typically requires boiling or steaming in a rice steamer.
Step 6
Strain the cooked items.
Step 7
Fork mash cooked items, or use a food processor or blender. Mash the food until it is a smooth consistency. Add a small amount of water to make the food a pourable consistency. Older babies won't require this additional water.
Step 8
Pour the pureed food into the frozen cube trays. Cover with an air tight lid or plastic wrap. Place directly into the freezer.
Step 9
Remove the trays from the freezer after 24 hours. Pop the cubes out, and double bag them in freezer safe plastic bags. Label the foods with the date of preparation as well as the name of the food.
Tips and Warnings
- Decrease puree time as your baby ages. Lumps are safe, but hard chunks are a choking hazard. Place cubes from the freezer into an airtight container in the refrigerator the day before they are needed. Some baby cookers have a defrost function as well. Add water to the thawed cubes to create a thinner consistency for babies who are new to solid foods. Get creative with recipes as the baby gets more foods under his belt. Try mixing a fruit with a vegetable or a grain with fruits.
- Wait three days after trying a new food with a baby before trying something different. Observe the baby for signs of sensitivity or allergy, including a rash, upset stomach, vomiting or excessive gas.
Things You'll Need
- Fruits, vegetables and grains
- Paring knife
- Peeler
- Cutting board
- Baby cooker, steamer or sauce pan
- Water
- Freezer trays
- Plastic wrap
- Freezer bags
- Marker
