How to prepare baby food at home

Children are one of the greatest joys on earth, and an even greater joy comes from watching your child grow from a baby to an adult. Although being a parent is a wonderful feeling and experience, some might agree that the period of babyhood is the hardest period for parents, because of the extra care and nourishment they have to provide. One of the many challenges of parenthood is feeding the baby, as grumpiness and sleepiness might hinder the baby’s mood to eat, not to mention the very limited number of foods that can be fed.

Most parents buy commercial baby food, as store bought products are designed for optimum baby health. However, some people prefer making food for their baby at home for a number of reasons. Firstly, a lot of commercial baby foods are processed, and they end up losing important nutrients in the process. Secondly, some baby food products are rather expensive, and making food at home out of raw products is much economical. Thirdly, you can feed the baby your own fruits, vegetables, and purees rather than relying on store bought pre-prepared and flavoured foods. With that being said, here are some simple and healthy baby food recipes that your baby is sure to love.

Feeding your baby spinach might not sound too appetizing, and that is why you need to throw in yams to add some natural sweetness. Your baby will get a healthy dose of calcium, folate, iron, and vitamin A with this combo, along with its first meeting with greens. In a pot, bring the sweet potato (skin peeled) to boil one and a half cups of water or stock, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for ten minutes. Add spinach, and cook till the sweet potato and spinach are tender. Once the mixture cools, puree it in a food blender.

Cooked quinoa is a healthy grain that can be served by itself to your baby, but to provide a more different and interesting taste, try this quinoa and banana mash. Mash a banana in a bowl, add milk, yogurt, and a pinch of cinnamon, and mix to combine.

Peas pack a lot of nutrition in the form of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and protein, and also have a tinge of sweetness. Add peas to a pan, add enough water to cover the peas and boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for three minutes. Drain the peas, reserving the cooking liquid, and add the peas, and the cooking liquid to get desired consistency, into a blender. Make into a puree.

Not only do carrots have a sweet taste that babies like, but they also provide a rich supply of vitamin A and the antioxidant beta-carotene. Peel and chop carrots into small pieces, and put them in a saucepan with water. Bring to simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for twenty five minutes. Let it cool, then transfer to a blender to make a puree.

Rice cereal is a good choice for babies as it’s less allergenic and is easy to digest. Sprinkle two tablespoons of brown rice in half a cup of boiling water, and whisk continuously for thirty seconds, and then occasionally for five minutes. Once the mixture is thick and creamy, it is ready to be served.

Avocado and banana provide the baby with a nutritious blend of fiber, healthy fats, potassium, and vitamin C. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh out with a spoon. Put the flesh in a blender, add a banana, and blend till smooth. Use a strainer to remove lumps to get a texture-free puree, and pour into a bowl.

Apples will provide your baby with fiber and antioxidants, which help in digestion and cell protection respectively, while also providing a punch of natural sweetness. To make apple puree, bring two inches of water to a simmer, and add apple chunks (peeled). Cover and steam until tender, after which you let the chunks cool slightly. Transfer the apples to a blender, and puree to the desired consistency.

You have to be cautious about the food you feed your baby. Prepare only small portions to prevent overfeeding, and always be on the lookout for allergies your baby might develop, especially from common food allergens. Make sure you prepare food with the consistency most suitable for your baby, and always check to see that the food is not too hot. Most baby foods can be frozen for future consumption, so even if you prepare extra food, don’t shy away from using your freezer.