How to Make Baby Food at Home

Tips for Making Baby Food Safe and Nutritious

When our son was venturing into the world of solid food beyond infant cereal, my husband and I decided to make some baby food ourselves. It's an easy thing to do and, for some (like parents of multiples), can also be cost-effective.
There are a few guidelines and things to keep in mind however, when preparing baby food at home. Some things to consider:

· Commercially grown fruits and vegetables, both domestic and imported, tend to contain higher levels of pesticides than organically grown produce

· Trimming the fat from meat will help reduce pesticides, as they tend to concentrate in fatty tissues

· Organic foods have been found to contain lower levels of certain pesticides

· Processed foods (canned fruit for example) generally have lower pesticide residues than fresh foods 

· All fresh produce to be used in preparing baby food should be peeled, washed with very diluted dishwashing detergent, and cooked well

· When making your own baby food, do not salt, sweeten or season the food at all.

Cooked, fresh vegetables and stewed fruits are the easiest foods to prepare for baby, and except for raw bananas, (which can be mashed with a fork) all fruits should be cooked until soft. Steaming is the best cooking method, as fewest nutrients and vitamins are lost this way. Refrigerate any food that is not used immediately, and check it well for signs of spoilage before giving it to baby. Unlike commercial foods, freshly made baby food contains no bacteria, so it will spoil more quickly. Use or freeze within one to two days of preparation to be safe.