Making Home Made Baby Food

Thinking About Making Home Made Baby Food?

As more of us turn to home-prepared meals made from fresh, unprocessed ingredients, many parents are also turning their backs on commercial baby foods preferring to whip up their own baby food instead. After all, what parent doesn’t want to know exactly what is going into their baby’s body?

To help parents, there are many recipes available online to enable you to produce some exciting recipes for your little ones that incorporate all the nutrients and vitamins they need.

The Benefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

You and your little one can enjoy many benefits when you choose to make baby food at home.

• You’ll know exactly what is in the recipe.

• You’ll know that the ingredients you have used are fresh, nutritious and healthy.

• You can adapt your recipe to suit your baby’s preferences and age.

• You can save money. Most baby food recipes cost a mere fraction of the price you’ll pay for commercial ready-made baby foods.

• You can make food in batches so that you always have a tasty and nutritious meal ready for your little one and, unlike some commercial baby foods, your meals will not contain preservatives.

• Making your own baby food can prove to be extremely satisfying for both you … and your little one!

Tips to Help You Become the Head Chef for Your Very Special Little Customer

Many parents like the idea of making baby food but think that it may take too long. To banish these concerns, we’ve put together some tips to help you to prepare batches of food easily and safely. After all, if cooking for your baby is difficult – you’re unlikely to want to do it. We want to make it a pleasure, not a chore!

• Look for recipes that are suitable for the age of your baby so you can be sure that the ingredients used are both safe and appropriate.

• Before you prepare any food, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap. Also, wash your hands when switching from handling raw foods to cooked foods.

• All surfaces should be scrupulously clean too.

• Ensure your fridge is running at the correct temperature and that you don’t overload it and impede air circulation.

• Store all raw meat and fish at the bottom of your fridge to avoid cross-contamination.

A Few Simple Recipes for all Babies

Brown Rice Cereal

Whizz up a wholesome brown rice cereal for your baby’s breakfast.

• 25 grams of brown rice powder (grind brown rice grains in a blender, food processor or spice and coffee grinder)

• 250 millilitres of water

• A splash of formula or breast milk

Then simply,

1. Boil the water.

2. Add the rice powder while stirring with a whisk.

3. Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.

4. Add in the formula or breastmilk to create a creamy consistency.

For even more nutrition, you can add a little fruit puree to your baby’s morning cereal.

Pureed Vegetables – Sweet Potato

Introduce your baby to vegetables with a sweet potato puree. It’s sweet, it’s healthy and it’s so easy to prepare.

Simply,

1. Preheat your oven to 190^oC.

2. Scrub a large sweet potato, prick it with a fork and bake until it feels soft (around 45 mins).

3. Once soft, split the potato, scrape out the cooked flesh with a spoon and mash with a fork. There’s no need to puree.

Bananas, Bananas, Bananas!

Bananas are often one of the first foods we introduce to babies. They’re full of nutrients, soft and very sweet and can be used in a multitude of ways.

• Mash banana and stir it into the brown rice cereal.

• Use as a sandwich filling for older babies.

• Mix with homemade yoghurt and pureed strawberries for a fresh, fruity treat.

• Mix with homemade apple sauce.

Make Mealtime Fun for Both You and Baby!

One way to make mealtimes fun for parents is to invest in practical dinnerware made of silicone.

Not only is it hygienic, easy-to-care for and attractive, but it’s practically indestructible too! Choose from sectioned dinner plates and bowls with suction cups on the bottom, easy-to-grip spoons and the all-important bib to catch any drips and dribbles!