Make Your Own Baby Food

Ever thought about making your own baby food? Think it is too expensive or too time-consuming? ONIE can show you how easy it is to make your own baby food. 

Benefits of Making Homemade Baby Food 

You choose what is in it – You can choose fresh, frozen, or local fruits and veggies when you make your own baby food. 

Nutrition – Homemade baby food is as good as, or better than store-bought baby food.

Convenience – Save a trip to the store by storing baby food in the freezer. 

Great taste – Your baby will love the fresh ingredients!

Quick & Easy – You can make your own baby food in four simple steps!

Cuts Food Cost – Homemade baby food can save you money.  

It is around $0.10 per ounce compared to store-bought baby food which is $0.34 per ounce. That is a total savings of $0.14 per ounce of baby food. That adds up over time!

4 Simple Steps

1. Make it extra clean – clean all kitchen tools, such as cutting board, blender, countertops, and pots. Also, wash fruits and veggies using a veggie brush to remove dirt. Babies are more likely to get sick from food.
2. Soften it up – You will need to boil most fruits and veggies to make them soft. Remember you do not need to season the food! Babies are sensitive to taste and will like the natural flavors of the fruits and veggies. 
3. Make it creamy – Once the food is soft, you will need to mash, blend, or purée it so it is smooth and creamy for your baby to enjoy. You can add some of the water from the pot if needed to help make it creamy, if needed. 
4. Portion it out – Divide food into a standard ice cube tray, which holds 1 ounce per square. Do mix products in the beginning. Your baby should only be given one new food every 4-5 days to watch for allergic reactions. Cover & freeze the tray overnight. Pop out each square & freeze in a large zip-close bag up to 3 months. 
5. Serve it up – Reheat food in the microwave or stovetop. Test the temperature before you serve it to your baby. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing exactly what your baby is eating!   

Other Homemade Baby Food Options

Other homemade baby food flavors you can try:

• Sweet Potatoes – Peel sweet potato and cut into small chunks. Place chunks into a pan and cover with water. Boil until chunks are fork-tender. Mash it up, using leftover water when needed to help make the potatoes creamy. 
• Peas – Cook peas is the same method as green beans. Place the peas into a steamer basket with just enough water to slightly show through the basket. If you do not have a steamer basket, you can add the peas to a pan with about 1- 2 inches of water. Steam peas until tender. Keep an eye on the water level. If the water looks low, add a little more water. Place into a blender and purée until smooth and creamy. If needed, use leftover water to help make peas creamy.
• Pumpkin – Pumpkin is a great option when it is in-season. Cut the pumpkin in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Place the halves face down in a baking pan with approx. 1-2 inches of water. Bake at 425°F 40-60 min or until soft. Scrape out the pumpkin and mash until smooth and creamy.