Making Baby food

[cherryzz]

My husband and I decided that we will make our own baby food.

Shes only 2 1/2 months now. We will start in a month or two.
Should I add a little breastmilk to the food?
Im not exactly sure how its supposed to be made...
Any tips?

[pirate_queen]

I have been making my own baby food and am still learning what works and doesn't. I added breastmilk to sweet potatoes (to my desired consistency) and my son loved it. Like I said, I am still learning and you will discover what works and doesn't work for you. One question...what are you using to make the food? A hand-grinder (Kidco) or a food processor? I use both and while most foods work in the food processor, I still prefer the hand grinder for other food (mainly fruits).
Hope this helps :)

[Now_serving_number4]

Just wanted to say that BM or formula should be the only food for baby till 6 months. It is worth waiting.

\\BM is added to thin out food and most foods can be steamed then mashed with a fork.

[cherryzz]

We are going to buy a good food processor

[SingingMom]

I would wait until at least six months. One of the benefits to waiting a little longer is that you don't have to worry much about making the food. With my first LO, I fed baby food regularly.

With my second, I just nursed her until she was interested. And then I just mashed up a little of what was on my plate with a fork, and fed her little bits. Easy as pie, and no trouble at all.

[EastSnyder]

A friend loaned me the "Super Baby Food" Book and I've found it to be a great reference for plans to make "home" baby foods. I'd recommend that...although I've crossed reference with some other books and with kellymom.com just to keep it all in perspective. The book suggests that you add some expressed breast milk to baby's foods in the beginning to get the desired consistency. I also use a food processor and this works well for me. With many of the items I find the need to strain them afterwards even after processing so that's another item to pick up if you hadn't thought of it already. Good luck! :happydog:

[KerryS]

Since frozen baby food only lasts about 3 months, I wouldn't start making your own baby food until when you're ready to start using it, which ideally would not be until around 6 months.

I've made all my own baby food for 2 of my 3 children. This time around we didn't have a food processor, so I just used an immersion blender, which works just about as well.

[cherryzz]

My daughter is already very interested in what im eating. She even reaches for it from time to time. I doubt she will wait until 6 months before actually shoving my potatoes in her face .. lol
I know Im not going to make it until she is eating it. I have a bunch of baby food in cans from my baby shower too.

[MrsKitty]

Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Food?
How do you know if your baby is ready for solid foods? Your baby may be 3 months old or 4 months old when you start to feel she may need "something more" than formula or breastmilk.
Maybe she is beginning to awaken more often at night or eat more often than "usual" and you wonder if introducing solid foods may be what she needs. Please keep in mind that a growth spurt will occur between 3-4 months of age. Your baby may begin to wake more frequently at night for a feeding and/or may being to eat non-stop (cluster feed) as she once did as a newborn. Read more about signs of baby's readiness for solid foods at Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Foods?

Growth Spurts Do Not Mean Baby Needs Solid Food
Growth spurts often account for the increased hunger in your baby and should not be taken as a sign that your baby needs solid foods added to her diet! Offer your baby more frequent nursing sessions and/or bottle feedings instead of solids; you will find that within a week or two, your baby is oftentimes over the growth spurt and back to feeding "as usual".

Current Recommendations for Introducing Solid Foods
Current recommendations indicate that breast milk or formula should be baby’s main source of nutrition until at least 6 months of age! Earlier introduction of solid foods may have certain risk factors; consult your pediatrician! "Introduction of complementary feedings before 6 months of age generally does not increase total caloric intake or rate of growth and only substitutes foods that lack needed nutrients and the protective components of human milk (and formula).
AAP Policy Note - 194"

Remember, the World Health Organisation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Canada, Health Insite - Australia and the Department of Public Health (U.K.) as well as the CDC all recommend that babies receive nothing but breast milk and/or formula for the first 6 months of age!

What does the WHO say?
"Complementary feeding should be timely, meaning that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to breastmilk from 6 months onwards. It should be adequate, meaning that the nutritional value of complementary foods should parallel at least that of breastmilk. Foods should be prepared and given in a safe manner, meaning that measures are taken to minimize the risk of contamination with pathogens. And they should be given in a way that is appropriate, meaning that foods are of appropriate texture and given in sufficient quantity." WHO Complementary Feeding

Further, the "WHO recommends that infants start receiving complementary foods at 6 months of age in addition to breastmilk, initially 2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day, as desired."

[MrsKitty]

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm

[gavinsmama]

hah I was just gonna add that website! its the best ever! we use it. once you start food..get the magic bullet blender! it works wonders. we had a hand food mill..but man its a pain in the butt! you can get a blender for like 40.00$ and its great cause my hubby uses it for salsa and now we make fruit and veggie shakes too. so you'll get alot of use outta it.