Make your own baby food supplies

How to make baby food at home -Supplies and basics

Are you curious about making your own baby food but don’t know where to begin?

Consider this post a baby food making 101 class -the short version for busy parents.

Here at MOMables, we help parents make fresh school lunches; but we also know that many of you have younger children and are looking for ways to make all of your family’s food healthier. Even your baby food.

So your baby is showing all the signs of wanting to eat, and you are excited to get started with baby food making but have NO IDEA how to go about it.

First you need to know what are the “right” foods for your baby’s age and not introduce too many foods at once.

It’s so important to follow a guide and follow the 4-5 day rule so that you know that your baby is ready for those foods.

What happens when you serve your baby foods that he is not ready to eat? The short answer: it can be hard on their digestive system and could be a source of food allergies later on.

How do you know if your baby is ready for solid foods?

More than likely, your pediatrician has already suggested introduction of baby cereal or solid foods. If not, some of the signs are:

The baby is able to sit up with support, reaches and grabs things and tries to put them in her mouth.
Try to reach the food that it’s on your plate
Mimics eating with their mouth when you eat

Basic First Foods

Note, there is no significant difference whether you introduce fruits or cereals first.

Mashed bananas
Peaches
Barley and rice cereal
Carrots
Pears
Squash
Sweet potatoes
Apples
Peas

What You Need to Make Baby Food

In recent years, there have been some all-in-one food steamers and blenders that make baby food making a snap. Know, that for hundreds of years people have used traditional methods and things typically found in your kitchen to make baby food. Therefore, you don’t really need any special equipment to make your own food.

Pot and a steamer basket, or
Electric steamer
Cutting board
Good knife
Immersion blender
Water
Ice cube trays or small storage cups
Freezer baggies
Sharpie Marker
Organic fruit or vegetables

You have done your research, got all the materials and foods you need so you are ready to get started. The main thing you need to remember is to make your food smooth and thin for those beginner babies and as they get older you can make it a bit thicker and with more texture. To make your food smooth and thin you need to add a little bit of water at a time.

Fruit Purees

***NOTE – If you choose to start feeding your baby before the age of 6mos old you will need to steam all fruits. Steaming or light cooking these foods makes it easier to digest.

After the age of 6 months you do not need to cook fruits unless it’s a harder fruit such as apples. Also depending on the fruit and how much natural liquid the fruit has in it you may not need to add water. For instance pears have a TON of natural juices so you may not need to add any water.

Directions

Fill a pot about ⅓ of the way up and place a steamer inside of the pot.
Add the fruit and bring to a gentle boil
Once it starts to boil, turn down to low and let simmer until fork tender
Remove from heat and place in a glass bowl
Once cool then with your immersion blender blend until you get the consistently that is right for your baby. Again, you may need to add water to make it smooth enough.

Vegetable Purees

The only other material that you would need when doing vegetables is a baby pan. When steaming you would do the same type of thing as you did for the fruit. When blending this is when you will add water. I suggest using the steam water for extra nutrients and then add additional water if necessary. Remember to always add water a teaspoon at a time so you can control the consistency.

I like to roast many of my vegetables such as sweet potatoes, acorn squash, butternut squash or any type of winter squash. Check out these easy vegetable roasting instructions. Once your fruits and vegetables are made into purees then you can spoon that mixture into a BPA FREE ice cube trays and place into the freezer up to 24 hrs. Place on the counter and let defrost just enough until you can easily take them out. Once all the cubes are out place them into a labeled freezer baggie and put back into the freezer.

How Long Does Homemade Baby Food Last?

Your homemade baby food can last in the freezer for up to 6 months. When serving remember that each ice cube is 1 ounce. Follow the guides as to how much your baby should be eating at their age.

Want to learn more about feeding your baby including baby lead feeding? My friend Amy has some incredible courses for moms of young kids all about feeing babies and toddlers! Learn more here & get 10% off your course using the code momables10

More How to

Reader Interactions

How to Make Your Own Baby Food 2021

How to Make Your Own Baby Food 2021 | The Strategist

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

kids department

Skip article list

The Very Best Washable Rugs The Very Best Washable Rugs
The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids, According to Experts The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids, Accordin…
The Only Gift Guide for a 5-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 5-Year-Old You…
The Only Gift Guide for a 4-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 4-Year-Old You…
47 Easter-Basket Ideas for Every Type of Kid 47 Easter-Basket Ideas for Every Type of…
The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 3-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 3-Year-Old…
The Only Gift Guide for a 2-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 2-Year-Old You…
The 11 Very Best Play Mats for Babies and Kids The 11 Very Best Play Mats for Babies an…
The 8 Very Best Water Bottles for Kids The 8 Very Best Water Bottles for Kids
The 12 Very Best Glider Rockers for Nursing The 12 Very Best Glider Rockers for Nurs…
The Best Gifts for 6-Month-Olds, According to Experts The Best Gifts for 6-Month-Olds, Accordi…
The 11 Best Bikes for Kids The 11 Best Bikes for Kids
The Only Gift Guide for a 1-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 1-Year-Old You…
46 (Non-Candy) Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids 46 (Non-Candy) Valentine’s Day Gifts for…
The 14 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows The 14 Very Best Pregnancy Pillows
The 13 Best Bike Helmets for Kids The 13 Best Bike Helmets for Kids
The Strategist Baby Registry 100 The Strategist Baby Registry 100
The Best Snow Sleds for Kids, According to Experts The Best Snow Sleds for Kids, According…
The 10 Very Best Face Masks for Kids The 10 Very Best Face Masks for Kids
The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds, According to Experts The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds, Accordi…
The Best Gifts for New Grandparents The Best Gifts for New Grandparents
The Best Gifts for 11-Year-Olds, According to Experts The Best Gifts for 11-Year-Olds, Accordi…
The 10 Very Best Kids’ Scooters The 10 Very Best Kids’ Scooters
The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 10-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Toy Gift Guide for a 10-Year-Ol…
The Only Gift Guide for a 6-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 6-Year-Old You…
The Only Gift Guide for a 7-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 7-Year-Old You…
The Only Gift Guide for a 9-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for a 9-Year-Old You…
The Only Gift Guide for an 8-Year-Old You’ll Ever Need The Only Gift Guide for an 8-Year-Old Yo…
The Best Holiday Toys to Buy Before They Sell Out The Best Holiday Toys to Buy Before They…
52 (Under-$20) Stocking Stuffers for Kids and Babies 52 (Under-$20) Stocking Stuffers for Kid…
The Strategist Toy Store The Strategist Toy Store
The Best Winter Gear for Kids, According to Experts The Best Winter Gear for Kids, According…
Our 44 Favorite Cyber Monday Toy Deals Our 44 Favorite Cyber Monday Toy Deals
Our 28 Favorite Black Friday Toy Deals Our 28 Favorite Black Friday Toy Deals
The Best Dolls for Kids, According to Experts The Best Dolls for Kids, According to Ex…
How I’d Redo My Baby Registry After Having a Second Kid How I’d Redo My Baby Registry After Havi…
The Best Dollhouses, According to Experts The Best Dollhouses, According to Expert…
The Best Climbers for Kids, According to Experts The Best Climbers for Kids, According to…
The Best (Strategist Approved) Children’s Books The Best (Strategist Approved) Children’…
9 Kids’ Playhouses (That Won’t Take Over Your Living Room) 9 Kids’ Playhouses (That Won’t Take Over…
7 Actually Nice-Looking Toy Kitchen Sets 7 Actually Nice-Looking Toy Kitchen Sets
The Best Amazon Prime Early Access Sale Toy Deals The Best Amazon Prime Early Access Sale…
20 Kids’ Halloween Costumes, Vetted 20 Different Ways 20 Kids’ Halloween Costumes, Vetted 20 D…
16 Baby Halloween Costumes, Vetted 16 Different Ways 16 Baby Halloween Costumes, Vetted 16 Di…
Welcome to the Strategist’s Definitive Kid Gift Guide Welcome to the Strategist’s Definitive K…
The Very Best Desk Chairs for Kids The Very Best Desk Chairs for Kids
The Best Kids’ Sneakers, According to Parents and Shoe Folk The Best Kids’ Sneakers, According to Pa…
The 10 Very Best Lunch Boxes and Lunch Gear The 10 Very Best Lunch Boxes and Lunch G…
This $6 Piece of Plastic Takes the Pain Out of Shots This $6 Piece of Plastic Takes the Pain…
The 12 Very Best Desks for Kids The 12 Very Best Desks for Kids

recommended by experts Feb. 17, 2021

By Lauren Ro, a writer at the Strategist covering home, design, and parenting. She joined the Strategist as a writer in 2018. Previously, she was an associate editor at Curbed.

Lauren Ro is interested in baby gear (she’s a new mom) and the ins and outs of decorating a home. Prior to the Strategist, she was a writer at Curbed and before that was Wes Anderson’s assistant.

Photo: xijian/Getty Images

Perhaps, like many parents, you read the recent congressional staff report that found high amounts of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in certain prepackaged, processed baby foods. If your next thought was to panic and immediately toss all your little one’s pouches, jars, and puffs, you may want to reconsider, according to Jennifer Anderson, a registered dietitian and the founder of Kids Eat in Color, a nutrition-focused website and Instagram account. “There have been professionals calling for the removal of certain baby cereals since at least 2012,” she says, noting that a 2019 report by the advocacy group Healthy Babies Bright Futures found that 95 percent of the baby foods the group tested contained heavy metals. Yes, exposure to toxic levels of heavy metals can lead to lower IQ, brain damage, and behavioral impairments, but Anderson explains that the heavy metals in question occur naturally in the ground, which means they are introduced to many ingredients as they grow, which means there’s really no way to eliminate them from any diet. “They’re in adult foods and baby foods,” she says. “They’re in puréed food that you make at home, and they’re also in jarred baby foods. ” Anderson notes there is “a little bit of data that shows there are probably higher levels of contamination in processed foods just because the processing itself seems to add a bit more.” (Although the reports we’ve cited call out a handful of specific brands, Anderson says no brand — even an organic one — is better than any other when it comes to being free of naturally occurring contaminants.)

While Anderson emphatically does not believe that “parents need to throw out all the food they bought with their hard-earned money and may not have the funds to replace,” she does say that making your own baby food would be one way to cut down on processed foods (and on any toxins found therein) in kids’ diets. Two other experts we spoke to — pediatric dietitian Pegah Jalali and lifestyle expert Rosalynn Daniels, a mom who also works as a food-content creator — agree. With the right tools, they say the process is simple enough, but they all note the one rule for anyone attempting to make their own baby food: Variety is key. As Anderson puts it, “every food has a dark side,” so using different fruits, vegetables, and grains “reduces the risk of one contaminant overwhelming a system.” Below, all the tools our experts recommend for making your own baby food, along with their tips for using them.

But first, to those who can’t resist the urge to throw away some processed foods to make way for new, homemade meals, Jalali has a tip: Toss any prepackaged food with any form of rice — including rice flour, rice milk, and brown-rice syrup — listed in the ingredients. “You look at all the data, and you see that all of the products that are really high in heavy metals are the ones made with brown rice,” she says. (Jalali, who is of Iranian ancestry, explains that it’s not about cutting out rice altogether — “it’s our cultural-heritage food,” she says — but she would “prefer to give my daughter actual rice versus baby food with rice in it.”) If you’re looking for an alternative to rice cereal, a popular first solid food for babies, Anderson says to look for cereals with ingredients like oats and barley instead. And if you’re looking for those expert-recommended tools you can use to make your own baby food, keep reading.

Green Sprouts Fresh Baby-Food Mill

$17

When it comes to an easy and efficient way to make baby food, Anderson says there’s nothing better (or cheaper) than an old-fashioned hand-grinder. “They’re super-simple, and you can stick one in a diaper bag and take it anywhere,” she says. To the uninitiated, she explains that a (good) grinder can take any food the family is eating — vegetables, fruits, salads, beans, even meats — and mash it up to a consistency appropriate for a baby starting solids. “For example, if your family is having Taco Tuesdays and you want your baby to join in, you can just grind up whatever filling you have into a nice, textured baby food, and they can just join in the meal,” she says. “And it took you maybe 30 seconds to a minute to make.” Using a grinder to turn adult food into baby food, she explains, will allow little ones to “experience all the flavors your family is eating,” which can help prevent them from developing picky eating habits. If you’re going to cook for the whole family and grind some for baby, she advises withholding any salt from a recipe and adding it to the adult portions after the fact. Anderson also says never to give a baby honey until after age 1. Even if you use it to make baby food only once in a while, she still thinks a grinder is worth the investment. “There’s such a huge benefit in feeding kids whatever you have and starting to build those taste skills so they can learn different flavors,” she says. “You also save money and time, and it probably has less of the heavy metals, which is another win.”

$17 at Amazon

Buy

$18 at Walmart

Buy

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Enfinigy Power Blender

$300

Although experts say baby foods with a chunkier consistency better prepare kids for eating adult table food, you could, of course, use a blender to make a smoother purée for your child. Daniels swears by her Zwilling blender and has used it to prepare baby food in her own kitchen. This model, which can be operated via an app, has a 64-ounce capacity, a stainless-steel body, and six programmed settings, including pulse, smoothie, cocktail, ice cream, ice crushing, and cleaning functions. But if you want to shop around, check out our stories on the best-reviewed blenders on Amazon and the best chef-recommended smoothie blenders.

Squooshi Reusable Food Pouches 3.4 oz - 6 Count

$10

When it comes to storage for homemade baby food, Daniels and Anderson both say pouches offer more convenience than a jar. That said, Anderson warns that “pouches don’t really engage kids in the eating experience, which can contribute to picky eating,” so using a variety of vessels will help combat that. Anderson chose these reusable pouches after trying various styles and tells us they’re so durable she was able to give them to another family when she no longer needed them. “They really did hold up quite well,” she promises.

$10 at Amazon

Buy

$10 at Amazon

Buy

Infantino Disposable Squeeze Pouches - Pack of 50

$17

Those looking to buy and make food in bulk might consider these disposable, cheaper pouches that both Anderson and Daniels have used. Sold in a pack of 50, these are easy to stash in a fridge or freezer and won’t take up too much space, according to Daniels.

$17 at Amazon

Buy

$17 at Amazon

Buy

Squeasy Snacker Spillproof Silicone Reusable Food Pouch - 6 Oz.

$15

Jalali recommends this silicone bottle-pouch hybrid to anyone looking for a more substantial vessel. “It’s easy to clean and use, and it’s resealable,” she says. In addition to the six-ounce size shown here, it comes in 3. 5-ounce and 16-ounce sizes, too.

$15 at Amazon

Buy

$15 at Amazon

Buy

Infantino Fresh-Squeezed Squeeze Station

$25

A filling station like this makes preparing pouches a bit easier, according to Daniels. “It’s all manual, and it comes with a little stand and a funnel,” she says. “You just put the food in there, and it’s super-easy.” This includes all the pieces you need to fill three pouches at a time and comes with ten disposable pouches to get you started.

$25 at Amazon

Buy

$20 at Target

Buy

Ball Mason Jar 4-Oz. Jelly Jars - 4 Pack

$13

While she has used pouches, Daniels says glass Mason jars “became a lifesaver” as she made more and more baby food, because they are easier to fill (and laziness is real). These four-ounce ones are the right size, and their smaller footprint makes them easy to store, she says. “They’re stackable and don’t take up much space,” she explains, noting that, unlike pouches, “you can use these after your kids grow out of baby foods.”

$13 at Amazon

Buy

$13 at Amazon

Buy

LunchBots 1.5-oz. Leakproof Dip Containers - Set of 3

$22

For something less breakable that’s just as easy to fill, Jalali recommends these stainless-steel containers. “They’re really convenient and stay shut — they never open and spill everywhere,” she says. Like the Mason jars, they have a use beyond holding baby food too. “We still use them for snacks and berries,” she adds.

$22 at Amazon

Buy

$22 at Amazon

Buy

get the strategist newsletter

Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

The Best Supplies for Making Your Own Baby Food

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Today's Top Clicked

Five Two Airtight Silicone Lids

Buy at Food52

Medusa Heirlooms Large Yoga Clip

Buy at Amazon

COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream

$15

$15 $25 40% off

Buy at Amazon

OOFOS OOahh Slide Sandal

From $46

Buy at Amazon

Cricut Joy Cutting and Writing Machine

$99

$99 $169 41% off

Buy at Target

Baby puree at home: recipes

Baby puree from vegetables and fruits at home: cooking secrets

Vegetable and fruit puree often becomes the first meal of the baby after breast milk or formula, so many mothers prefer to cook it on their own. Although modern manufacturers convince us that baby food is devoid of preservatives and harmful additives, fresh vegetables and fruits are much healthier, especially when it comes to infant nutrition. Yes, and cooking baby puree at home is not so difficult.

Vegetables or fruits?

Let's try to make baby puree for our beloved baby. Despite the fact that pediatricians of the last century recommended starting complementary foods with fruits, it is better to first introduce the child to vegetables - modern doctors and nutritionists have come to this conclusion. Boiled vegetables do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract, are better absorbed, satisfy hunger, do not cause allergies and increased gas formation. In addition, vegetables do not contain fructose, which irritates the pancreas. And one more weighty argument in favor of the fact that it is better to start with vegetables - fruits are tastier, and if the baby tries them first, he will refuse vegetables, because they will seem to him more insipid.

How to prepare baby vegetable puree

What can baby puree be made of? The ideal puree for the first feeding is from cauliflower or zucchini. A little later, you can introduce pumpkin, broccoli, carrots, potatoes and green peas. Before cooking, vegetables are washed well, peeled, cut into pieces and cooked - steamed, in the oven or in the usual way, in water. The first two methods are preferable because oven roasting and steaming preserve the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and natural color in the vegetables. And most importantly - such vegetables are much tastier. Some nutritionists recommend boiling vegetables with their skins on before peeling them, so choose your own cooking method.

If you do have to cook vegetables in a saucepan, use an enamel pot, add less water and put the vegetables in boiling water. Boil until soft, but do not overcook vegetables and fruits, otherwise they will become tasteless and lose a lot of vitamins. Ready vegetables are chopped with a blender until smooth and slightly diluted with water, vegetable broth, breast milk or mixture to a gruel state, since the child does not yet know how to digest thick food. Small pieces of vegetables in puree sometimes cause the baby to refuse to eat, so the knives in the blender should be well sharpened, and if there is no technique, you can grind the vegetables through a sieve. Salt and spices are usually not added to baby vegetable puree, and if the baby is more than 6 months old, you can put a little butter in the puree.

A few rules for making baby puree at home

Use only fresh vegetables and fruits.
Water for cooking vegetables must be filtered or bottled.
If you are using frozen foods, choose only whole fruits and vegetables as they retain the most nutrients.
All utensils for preparing baby food should be perfectly clean, so if the knife falls on the floor, it should be washed well. Also, the presence of pets in the kitchen during the cooking process is not allowed.
Avoid vegetables and fruits high in nitrates, such as spinach, lettuce, beets, melons, and watermelons, in infants' diets.
Store-bought vegetables are recommended to be soaked in water to remove nitrates: 1-2 hours for this, up to 24 hours for potatoes.
Mix sour-tasting fruits and berries with sweet fruits - for example, blackcurrant goes well with a banana or pear. Sour puree is unlikely to please the baby.
Give your child only fresh food, but yesterday's puree from the refrigerator is better to eat yourself.

DIY fruit puree for children

Children are more likely to eat fruit puree, because fruits are tastier and sweeter. Fruits contain a large amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fiber and antioxidants, so they are very useful for a growing body. However, fruits are strong allergens, especially berries, bananas, pomegranates and apricots, so they should be given with caution, watching the child's reaction. The most low-allergenic fruits are apples and pears, so it is better to start complementary foods with them, and then introduce all other fruits. First, the baby is fed with a one-component puree made from only one product, and then you can mix different vegetables and fruits, and not only among themselves. Very tasty combinations of fruits and vegetables, such as apples and zucchini, pumpkins and pears.

Fruits must be of good quality, without damage, ripe and juicy, and the rules for preparing fruits do not differ from the rules for cooking vegetables. Naturally, fruit puree is not sweetened with honey and sugar - the later the child learns the taste of sugar, the stronger his health will be.

Aromatic pumpkin puree

Babies love to eat pumpkin because of its pleasant sweet taste, besides pumpkin is very healthy. It contains a whole storehouse of various vitamins, including vitamin T, which normalizes the metabolism in the body. For pumpkin puree, small pumpkins are suitable, since large fruits are not as tasty and difficult to peel.

Cut the pumpkin in half, and then into small slices, one or two of which (depending on the appetite of the crumbs) cut into cubes. Boil the pumpkin in a double boiler or in water for 20 minutes, while warm, beat with a blender to a smooth puree and dilute if necessary with water or a mixture. Add oil and salt depending on the age of the child.

Gentle Broccoli Puree

One of my favorite homemade baby puree recipes is broccoli. This cabbage is extremely useful because it contains potassium, iron, calcium and other valuable substances. It has much more vitamin C than lemon, and the reason for its nutritional value is its high protein content.

Separate the broccoli into florets, wash thoroughly and steam for 20 minutes. Cabbage cooks faster in water - fresh broccoli will take 7 minutes, and frozen - about 15 minutes. Broccoli puree does not need much water, it should lightly coat the vegetables. After the cabbage becomes soft, chop it in a blender or pass through a sieve. If you're mashing for kids older than a year old, be sure to add butter - the little ones will gobble up broccoli on both cheeks!

How to make baby pear puree at home

Pear is a very delicate, tasty and healthy fruit that rarely causes intolerance. In addition to the high vitamin value, the pear has other beneficial properties - it facilitates digestion and removes toxins from the body.

For baby food, choose green pears to reduce the risk of allergies, which are rare among babies. Peel the fruits from the peel and core with seeds, and then stew the pear in a bowl with a thick bottom in a small amount of water for 15 minutes. Let the pear cool slightly and puree it in a blender with a little of the remaining pear broth. For large kids, fruits can not be boiled, but add half a teaspoon of natural honey to the puree.

Zucchini and apple puree

Little gourmets will love this delicious puree, besides, zucchini is considered the most hypoallergenic vegetables, which, due to their high potassium content, have a beneficial effect on the heart. Apples contain iodine, iron and phosphorus, and due to the high concentration of vitamin C, apples help in the prevention of colds and viral infections.

Wash the zucchini and apples well, de-seed them, cut into pieces and cook in a saucepan for about 20 minutes, considering that the zucchini will cook 5 minutes faster. By the way, apples are steamed for 15 minutes, zucchini - 10 minutes. Next, vegetables and fruits are chopped in a blender, mixed and brought to a boil. For allergic children, this is the best side dish!

Exotic mango

Sometimes you can pamper your baby with exotic fruits - for example, make mango puree. This is a very delicate fruit with an original taste, containing 12 amino acids and improving sleep.

Choose only ripe fruits that are soft and reddish-yellow in color. Peel the mango from a thick skin and a large bone, put the pulp in a blender, add 2 tbsp. l. water and mash it, and then heat it in a saucepan for several minutes. For a baby up to a year old, it is better to give mashed potatoes with heat treatment to facilitate digestion, and older children can be fed raw mangoes.

Carrot and Potato Puree

Make normal potato puree without oil. Peel the carrots, grate them and stew them with butter and vegetable broth - about 1 tsp is required for 200 g of carrots. butter and 150 g of broth. When the carrot becomes very soft, wipe it through a sieve, and then put it on a plate, put mashed potatoes on the second half. Let the child choose whether to mix two types of puree for him or eat separately!

Pumpkin and apple puree

This sweet, sugar-free pumpkin-apple puree, cooked in a double boiler, is suitable for children who are already accustomed to “adult” food and are able to perceive a new unusual dish. It is better to take a pumpkin with a gray or green skin and with bright pulp - such fruits contain more vitamins and other useful substances. Apples are green because they have fewer allergens.

Cut pumpkin and apple flesh without peel or seeds into pieces, place in a steamer and cook for 20 minutes. Grind pumpkin, apples and raisins in a blender or by hand with a pusher if the child has already learned to chew. They say that this puree is very good for skin and hair, and you can check the truth of this statement yourself if you start feeding this dish to your baby.

In autumn, you can take care of preparing vegetables for baby purees. Some vegetables, such as pumpkin, carrots and apples, are stored fresh, and zucchini, broccoli, berries are frozen in small portions, because due to frequent freezing and thawing, vegetables lose vitamins and become tasteless. You can roll up fruit and vegetable puree in jars, but this snack should not be given to babies. Remember that the taste of vegetables determines whether the baby will love them in the future, so try to prepare an appetizing and tender puree - for health and good mood!

Baby food - from a jar or do-it-yourself? Pros and cons

Complementary foods are solid foods for young children in addition to dairy products that they have received for several months as their sole source of nutrition.

— Polina Alexandrovna, why is the introduction of complementary foods called a transitional stage in a child's nutrition?

— The beginning of acquaintance with complementary foods does not mean the transition to an adult table. The first or second complementary foods are important so that the child adapts and is psychologically ready to eat adult food, and his digestive organs are tuned to work properly. Therefore, complementary foods are considered a transitional stage from milk nutrition to nutrition at a common table.

- Is the composition of canned zucchini or apple puree for babies different from the homemade version?

- Factory nutrition may vary depending on the raw materials that the manufacturer uses in a particular puree. Therefore, it is impossible to say that all such food is the same. For example, zucchini puree may contain rice flour so that its consistency is more correct in the opinion of the manufacturer. Mom decides what to put in, and in the same way she can add rice flour. An industrial puree that is suitable for a child and meets the requirements of parents may be identical in composition to homemade puree.

— There is a lot of speculation about baby food in jars. What are the most common parenting misconceptions?

- The most common myth is "canned puree doesn't taste good and kids don't eat it well." In fact, most babies enjoy eating factory-made purees without experiencing any problems.

There are concerns that baby puree is “wrong” or does not meet nutritional requirements. The manufacturer is required by law to list all the ingredients of the product. For example, mashed potatoes may contain rice flour that is not always healthy, especially if vegetables are introduced to the child in order to avoid constipation. What kind of food is more useful for the baby, whether to buy just such a puree or look for another in composition - the parents decide together with the doctor. Therefore, it is wrong to equate all manufacturers and their products.

Baby food in a jar or homemade puree - which is right for a baby? Pros and cons of

— How long can I feed my baby bottled baby food?

- You can feed your baby as much as you like, there is no strict age limit. But baby needs to be introduced to the different textures and flavors of . The need for canned food usually disappears when the baby moves to a common table with a diet familiar to the whole family. During this period, puree from a jar, especially tasty and sweet fruit varieties, often becomes a safe treat for grown-up babies.

— In which cases canned baby puree is contraindicated?

- There are no diseases in which canned puree is contraindicated. But for some diseases, the presence of a particular product in baby food is undesirable. Factory puree is different in composition. Parents can choose purees without ingredients that are not suitable for the baby or should be limited in his diet, and continue to feed the canned product without problems.

— How to choose baby food in a jar that is healthy for a child?

- First of all, you need to read the full composition of the product on the back, because some ingredients are not indicated on the front label of the jar. It is important to pay attention to the expiration date of the food, the reputation of the manufacturer. All components of the puree must correspond to the age and condition of the child, his individual characteristics.

For example:

the first puree must not contain rice flour;
Strawberry puree should not be given to a four-month-old child;
cereals are excluded from the diet of children with celiac disease (gluten intolerance);
An older baby should be offered puree with chunks.

MAMAKO

^® fruit puree with goat curd pleases the baby with a delicate taste, and the mother with a simple and understandable composition! The plant, which produces MAMAKO ^® fruit puree with goat curd, has successfully passed an international audit and received a TUV certificate, which confirms the quality and safety of products.

What mistakes do parents make when preparing mashed potatoes for feeding with their own hands

- Sometimes parents cook the wrong way - sometimes they overcook vegetables, and also make the puree too thin or thick. I hope that no one will fry food for their young children instead of boiling or steaming. Sometimes parents put spices and salt in baby puree, which is also not worth doing. The child should initially get acquainted with pure tastes, and extraneous additives are useless.

In addition, mothers need to be guided by foods that are appropriate for the child's age, do not cause allergies and are not difficult for him, and also be guided by what the family eats. If parents give the baby something that they themselves do not eat, then when switching to an adult table, he may refuse the usual family food, he will have to cook it separately. This will be a big problem.

- The child refuses the food prepared by the mother and does not eat anything. What to do in such a situation?

— The same food or dish can be offered to the child during the week. Food selectivity in children often depends on taste sensations, but a child may refuse to eat for other reasons, for example, when he is not hungry or would like to play instead of dinner. If during the week the child does not perceive the product that the mother offers, perhaps he still does not like it. In this case, the same product can be given in the form of canned nutrition . Often, kids really refuse homemade puree, preferring the factory version. Again, mom can cook another product and give, for example, broccoli instead of zucchini, which the child will appreciate.

Fruit puree MAMAKO ^® contains 20% goat curd. This food option is convenient at the stage of introducing children not only to fruits, but also to dairy products. It is the little ones who eat sweet, tasty foods well during the first feeding period and even when they get older - for dessert.

— Are the recipes for complementary foods from 6 months and those for 10 months different?

- For toddlers, no recipes or complex meals, because it is a simple food for discovering pure flavors without salt and spices, gradually getting used to the texture of the products. In the preparation of the first children's dishes, you can vary the combination of vegetables, focusing on the taste of the baby.

Recipes appear from the age of two or three with a full transition to the common table, when family preferences become more important. Of course, the baby needs to be introduced to products that are not consumed in the family, because there is a kindergarten and a school ahead. However, the basis of his diet should be food from the general household table . In addition, parents should be careful in cooking: do not overcook foods, do not add artificial ingredients, properly cool food so that homemade vegetable or fruit puree for the first feeding is healthy and safe for the baby.

- Is it possible to combine canned and homemade food and in what proportions?

— There are no strict rules: what is convenient for the family is selected. For example, it is difficult to make meat puree at home, so sometimes parents add industrial meat supplements to homemade vegetable puree.

There is also no clear gradation in the percentage of different food options. In one plate, you can mix what you have prepared yourself with what you bought in the store. But at home it is not always possible to achieve the desired combinations and prepare, for example, a combined product that includes a variety of fruits and cottage cheese.

Choose a way of eating that is comfortable for your family. It is easier for someone to cook for their child on their own, for someone it is easier to buy ready-made mashed potatoes. Pediatricians often recommend mashed vegetables or fruits of industrial production, because when it is used for a child, the risk of undesirable consequences is much less.