1. Bake, boil, or steam all vegetables (and fruits like apples and prunes that need to be softened first) before pureeing or grinding. Cook produce just until it is soft in order to preserve the vitamins that can be lost by overcooking.
2. Before pureeing, add a little liquid like breastmilk, formula, or cooking water until you get a soup-like consistency. As your baby gets used to solid foods, you can add less liquid to the mixture to make it more solid.
3. Remove the skin and fat from meat and poultry before cooking, then add a little liquid, and puree or grind the cooked meat in a blender or a food mill.
4. Never heat your baby's food in the microwave because microwaves are known to create hot spots on certain areas of the food that can cause burns.
5. Ensure that the food is no warmer than body temperature before feeding it to your baby to prevent burns.
6. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. They will still be good for up to two days. You can also freeze leftovers in ice cube trays and then put the cubes in freezer bags. Fruits and vegetables will last six to eight months. Meat will last about one to two months.
7. Some good fruits to start with include: apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, mangoes, peaches, pears, plums, and prunes. Some good vegetable choices are: asparagus tips, avocados, carrots, peas, potatoes, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.
8. Be careful with corn, because some babies have trouble digesting it and some are even allergic to it. Broccoli and cauliflower often produce gas in babies so it may be a good idea to wait until they are a little older before introducing them to your baby's diet.
Do you have any other tips to share?
Tips For Making Your Own Baby Food
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