From the moment your baby entered the world, society has bombarded you with advice on the “Homemade baby food recipes stage 1″. First, it’s formula versus breastfeeding (or some combination of the two).

Then it’s time to start solids and parents have to choose between traditional canned purées or baby-led weaning. A popular feeding method that allows babies to gnaw on whole, unmeshed foods.

 Some parents follow strict diet and allergy guidelines whereas others introduce foods more freely. These are all great options. You as a parent know best which feeding method is best for your baby and your family.

But if you choose to start baby on purées. There are cheaper, healthier, and more environmentally-friendly alternatives than purchasing those familiar Gerber baby food cans. We’ll discuss how to make and store homemade baby food recipes stage 1, some simple recipe ideas, and why this method is healthier and more cost-effective than traditional canned food?

Homemade Baby Food Recipes Stage 1

Materials

All you need is a food processor (or a strong blender). Some food or breast milk storage bags (try to find ones with measurement labels), and a permanent marker for dating and labeling.

You’ll also need access to a freezer and stovetop/oven for softening some of the foods before blending. Some optional tools that may be useful are funnel and reusable baby food pouches. A bottle warmer for warming up frozen pouches, and a baby food freezer tray.

Recipes

Banana Purée

Bananas are a great first food for infants because they are packed with nutrients, have low allergy risk. And their creamy texture and sweet flavor are baby favorites! This purée is also the simplest to make because it requires no pre-cooking and it blends to a perfect consistency in seconds.

Simply peel your bananas (3-5 makes a good-sized batch but you can adjust based on your needs). Break them into chunks, and toss them into your food processor. Blend for 10-30 seconds on high until all chunks have broken up and the texture is smooth.

If the bananas are less ripe or you are having a hard time achieving a creamy texture. You could add a few tablespoons of water to the mixture before blending again. Then, pour 3-4 ounces of the purée into each of your storage bags (use a funnel for less mess), seal them, and label and date each package. Lay them flat in your freezer for easy storage.

After freezing

You can sit the bags upright or store them in boxes in your freezer. When your baby is hungry, melt the contents in a cup of hot water or a bottle warmer (never microwave the bags for safety concerns).

 Make sure the bags are sealed and the Ziploc is not submerged in water to avoid leaks. Purées can be eaten anywhere from room temperature to slightly warm, but never hot. Make sure you monitor the temperature of the food before serving it.

If you’re using a freezer tray instead of plastic bags. You can either transfer the frozen portions to individual bags and warm them in hot water or warm them on the stovetop (on low).  If you warm the food in the microwave, make sure you are using a microwave-safe, BPA-free bowl.

Avoid seating your baby in his/her high chair until the food is ready because their attention spans are short and warming will take 10-20 minutes depending on the method you use. Serve with a baby spoon and allow your baby to get messy and explore the food on his/her own! This nurtures a good relationship with food and builds healthy eaters. Enjoy!

Avocado-Garlic Purée

This is an easy, delicious recipe and a great way to introduce your baby to green veggies and healthy fats. Simply peel your avocados, add them to the food processor with a pinch of minced garlic, blend, and freeze! 

Your baby will adore the creamy texture of the avocado and the flavor of the garlic and you will adore how easy it is to make and prepare this healthy staple for your child!

Sweet Potato-Nutmeg Purée

Sweet potato is another excellent first good choice. Because it is nutrient-dense, easy on little tummies, and has a mild taste babies enjoy. First, poke the sweet potato all over with a fork and bake at 400℉ for 45 minutes.

 When it’s done, cut it into large chunks with a knife to ensure it’s fully cooked and to allow it to cool faster. When it’s cool, toss the chunks into the food processor and blend on high until creamy and smooth. Keep the skin on to retain nutrients! Add a few tablespoons of water as needed.

Then freeze, thaw when needed, and add a pinch of spice (such as cinnamon or nutmeg) to individual servings. You could add spice before blending but adding it to single portions allows you to make adjustments for possible allergies and switch up flavors to your baby’s liking!

Why Making Your Own Purées Beneficial?

There’s no denying the convenience of ready-made jarred baby food. But if you prepare large enough batches, a few different varieties can last for months! If you use a freezer tray instead of disposable bags. Your homemade food will be much more environmentally-friendly than the pre-packaged food that usually is served in tiny plastic bowls or glass jars.

Making your own baby purées is also much more cost-effective; in some instances, it can be over ten times cheaper.  For example, a single sweet potato usually costs about $2 and can yield over a dozen portions of baby food whereas a single jar of baby food can cost from $1-$3.

Since babies are notoriously messy eaters and have fickle appetites, much of their first foods is often wasted. If the baby food is more affordable, you’ll be likely to find the waste much more acceptable!

Homemade baby food is also generally healthier than pre-packaged purées. You will be able to ensure there are no added colors, preservatives, or artificial flavors. You won’t have to worry about factory cross-contamination or sanitation concerns because you will be in charge of quality control! Of course, almost all jarred food is perfectly safe for infant consumption and should not be falsely regarded as unhealthy or unsafe.

But when making food at home. You can be sure to use the freshest ingredients and prepare each batch exactly to your baby’s preferences. Lastly, it is important to remember that as long as you serve your child food that is healthy and prepared age-appropriately. There is no wrong way to feed your baby.

Conclusion

 It is up to you to choose the best method to feed your child. And you deserve to do so without pressure or criticism from others. Homemade baby food may not be an ideal choice for every family but if this method is right for you, give it a try! We hope your baby enjoys your culinary endeavors- now and in the years to come. Read More?