Generally, after introducing basic rice cereal, vegetables are the first foods you introduce into a baby’s diet. While it may seem tempting to stock up on jars from the grocery store, making your own baby food is more economical, and surprisingly simple.
Getting Started with Vegetables
It is a good idea to begin with vegetables because babies naturally have a sweet tooth. If you begin with sweet fruits, they may be less inclined to accept vegetables later. That said, why not start with a vegetable that is very palatable? Sweet potatoes are a very easy vegetable to start with. Simply wash them, poke holes throughout, wrap them in foil, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for just over an hour until they are tender all the way through. Cut an X in the skin, which then easily peels away. Cut into chunks, puree, and you have baby food!
That is the basic formula for all the vegetables I’ve done. You can choose to boil, steam, or bake. Make sure they are washed and peeled if necessary, and cook until quite soft. I’ve done carrots, peas, green beans, and squash so far with no problems. Peas and green beans are a little trickier because they have a “skin”. My baby gags on them, so I just thin them with a little water or breast milk before serving them, and she does fine.
Getting Started with Fruits
Fruits are just as easy as vegetables. So far, I’ve done apples, pears, apricots, peaches, and blueberries. Bananas and avocados can be mashed up right before a feeding. Alternatively, if you want to teach your little one some feeding skills (and work on that pincer grasp), just cut the banana or avocado into very small pieces, and let your baby have fun learning to eat.
Apples and pears are simply peeled, cut into chunks, and steamed with a small amount of water. Blend them up with the stick mixer, adding some of the cooking water, and they are done. They are so delicious you may have a hard time not eating them yourself.
Apricots and peaches are a little trickier. Cut them in half, take out the pits, bake them face down in a small amount of water until soft, and then pull off the peels.The problem is they can be a bit sour and a bit stringy if not in season. If your baby has a sensitive gag reflex (as many seem to), try mixing apricots with some baby cereal. Blueberries only need to be simmered in water until soft before pureeing.
Cheating with Baby Food Jars
Though making your own baby food is easy, there are times when using a jar of food might make more sense. When apricots and peaches were out of season, any you could find in the store were sour and unpleasant for a baby. When you want some variety in your baby’s diet, using a jar of food isn’t so bad. But truly, they are much blander than any you will make yourself. Watch your baby’s eyes light up when she tastes peaches you make compared to a jar of peaches!
Introducing Healthy Food to Your Baby
Vegetables and fruits are perfect first foods for babies. They are full of vitamins and minerals, and offering plenty of them will promote healthy eating in the future. Making purees yourself can be fun, and will save you money in the long run. Give it a try – I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
For more information on the basics of making baby food, or to learn about making meat into baby food, see my articles A General Guide to Making Homemade Baby Food and Making Meat into Baby Food.
