The best natural food for a newborn baby is breast milk, but iron-fortified formula is a quality food to feed your baby, too. Natural baby foods are minimally processed and contain few additives and preservatives. Making your own baby foods can be an economical and nutritious way to feed your baby natural foods.
Eating Plan
Homemade baby foods' texture should be changed based on your baby's stage of development. Your pediatrician can help you determine the best foods to start your baby on based on his development. Some babies begin eating baby rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula at about four months. Between six and eight months, you can begin feeding your baby solid foods such as strained fruits and vegetables. At 12 months, your baby can drink pasteurized cow's milk or whole milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend restricting your child's diet before he reaches the age of 2.
Preparation and Foods
Everyday kitchen appliances such as a blender, mesh strainer or food processor can be used to make baby foods. Use preparation methods that will preserve the nutrients of the foods. Cook vegetables until tender by boiling them in a covered saucepan with a small amount of water, or by microwaving. Do not feed your baby home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips, carrots or collard greens if he is under 6 months. These foods contain nitrates or nitrites that could make your baby sick. The best foods for your baby include potatoes, carrots, squash, beans, green peas, bananas, pears and peaches.
Recommendations
Eight-month-old babies can begin eating homemade baby foods that have a thicker texture than commercial brands. Prepare baby foods with fresh ingredients and without added sugar and salt. Frozen vegetables and fruits without added salt or sauces and canned fruits or canned vegetables without added sugar and salt are okay to use. Never use home-canned foods and leftovers to make fresh baby food because these foods can contain bacteria that are harmful to your baby. Wash fruits and vegetables very carefully, removing seeds, skins, pits and inedible peels. Keep produce and meat separated to reduce contamination. Water or fruit juice can be added to food to make the texture thinner.
Warning
Do not give your baby foods such as pizza and casseroles. They contain ingredients that your child can be allergic to and the chunky portions can make her choke. Take great care with cleanliness and sanitizing reusable baby jars. Wash your hands thoroughly, and wash and sanitize all equipment used to prepare and serve food before and after food preparation to reduce bacteria growth and prevent food-borne illnesses, recommends the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is unnecessary to add sugar, syrups, salt, seasonings, oil, butter, lard, cream, gravy, sauces or fat drippings to baby food. Not only do these foods affect the "natural" state of natural baby foods, but they also may influence your baby's food preference towards unhealthy foods. Never add honey to your baby's food because this can cause infant botulism.
