Making your own baby food is easier than you may think. With a bit of organisation and a plan to cook and freeze in bulk, you will save time and energy! Importantly, when food is prepared at home for your baby, you will know exactly what they are eating, and it allows baby to have individual foods or food combinations as you choose.
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Boil a vegetable or fruit of your choice from the “protein free” list such as a carrot, zucchini, apple, pear, peach, or a wedge of pumpkin, until soft. This will take between 3 - 20mins; depending on the vegetable/fruit you choose and how large the pieces are.
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Once soft, remove from heat and drain. Cool slightly and then place into the blender. Blend until the vegetable/fruit is a smooth, pureed consistency.
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Spoon into ice cube trays, cover with cling wrap, and place into the freezer.
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Once frozen, remove from ice cube trays, and store in a sealed container or zip lock bag. Remember to label the name of the vegetable/fruit and the date it was prepared.
Over time, your baby’s diet needs to expand so that they become more skilled eaters. You can help them along by increasing food variety; try making food combinations such as vegetable “bolognaises”, soups, and casseroles. As baby gets older, they also need to have the texture of their food increased. When baby is ready, you may try preparing lumpier foods, blending the food to a coarser texture, and introducing mashed, soft lumpy foods. This will encourage your child to chew. If you cook a large amount, freeze in ice cube trays or small containers. This saves time as you will prepare food less frequently.
