We started making Lia’s baby food when she was about 5-6 months old. It became this sort of fun routine for myself. I would spend 1/2 of the day Mondays making her meals and storing them for the week. When grocery runs would happen we became even more excited.
5 Reasons to Make your Baby’s Food:
- Saves money- each jar of baby food costs about $1.00 and each pouch easily between $1.25-$1.80. I was able to make her food for the whole month with $20. That included breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- You know what you are feeding your baby- there is no wondering what is in their food because you are the one preparing it.
- You choose what to feed them- you can make combinations you choose or offer a greater selection than what jarred foods have to offer
- Higher in nutrients- because your homemade food is not being processed you are giving your baby whole foods with all their nutrients.
- Freshness- you are choosing your fruits and veggies and pureeing yourself. This is about as fresh as it gets!
Ever since we received our Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender & Food Processor & reusable food pouches, Pappa Bear has been really into making Lia foods and snacks. The reusable food pouches are great and cost friendly. They are easy to clean and use, perfect for on the go meals for Lia. He has made purees, chunky purees, chopped finger foods for her, made smoothies, and even prepared meals the whole family can enjoy with it. He has found it to be the easiest tool to make her fast and easy snacks and meals. And I say HE because ever since we got it, he has been the one to make all of Lia’s meals! Yay me!
Please make sure your baby is ready to try solids prior to introducing it to them.If your baby is ready for solids here are 3 of Lia’s favorite recipes!
Stage 1: Single Ingredient, great starter foods
Sweet Potato Puree
This stage 1 single-ingredient puree is easy to make and so delicious even you will be wanting some!
- 1.5 lbs sweet potato
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- To roast, first preheat your oven to 400 degrees Farenheit.
- Cut some slices into your sweet potatos about 3/4 of the way in. Do not cut all the way through.
- Once you finish your cuts cover your potatoes in foil and bake for 45mins to an hour. If your knife can slide easily in and our of the potatoes they are ready.
- Let the potatoes cool down and then scoop out the inside of the potato.
- Transfer your potatoes into a bowl
- Add a pinch of cinnamon
- Use your immersion blender to blend the sweet potatoes
- Get desired consistency by adding breastmilk, formula, or water
With certain vegetables I opted to roast over boiling. You can also boil the potatoes for about 10 minutes and follow the rest of the instructions following. If you wish to freeze your purees you can fill up ice cube trays and freeze over night. Once they are frozen you can store them in ziploc bags for up to 6 months.
Stage 2: Combination Purees
Avocado and Banana Puree
I found adding banana to anything just about guarantees me Lia will eat it!
- 2 avocados
- 1 banana
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- Peel your banana and avocado, remove the pit
- Add a punch of nutmeg
- Add ingredients to a food processor
- Once blended you can change the texture to your liking with breastmilk, formula, or water
To freeze simply place them into freezer trays over night. Then place each cube into ziploc bags. They can be stored for up to 6 months.
Smoothie!
Yogurt Berry Smoothie
This was a huge hit for everyone in our home!
- 3 oz berries (your choice)
- 2 oz kale
- 2 oz plain full-fat yogurt
- 3 oz almond milk
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- In a bowl combine all the ingredients
- put ingredients in a food processor or use your immersoin belnder
- If you need to change the consistency add more almond milk
A great hit for everyone in our home. Protein based and healthy!
This looks like a great set up for making baby food!
thanks! its super user friendly
I think it is so inspiring that you make your own baby food! I wish I had the time. The recipes look easy and very healthy!
Thank you! at first it seemed it would take up so much time but it is actually very easy!
These all sound good! I’ll save this to have on hand with baby #3!
I can’t wait until our baby will be old enough for me to make her food next year! This looks like a great product.