Weaning - An Introduction to Home made baby food (Baby Food Hints/Tips)

Member Name: thejigglyone

Product:	Baby Food Hints/Tips
Date:	25/01/06 (2625 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You know what you are giving your baby

Disadvantages: Takes more time than jars

Introduction to weaning and preparing homemade baby food

My main aim of this review is to pass on some of the knowledge of weaning that I have acquired since becoming a parent of 2.

I was confused as a first time mum.
I relied heavily on baby food packets and jars. If I had known then what I know now I’d have saved myself a fortune. With a little bit of organisation, you can make your baby enough food to feed them for a month. I’m certainly not the most organised person in the world. I started weaning my daughter 6 months ago. It hasn’t all been easy but I get a great sense of achievement from making her food and knowing what exactly is going into her.

The guidelines now that health professionals follow recommend that weaning should not begin until baby is 6 months old, this however used to be at 4-5 months. The baby’s digestive system cannot cope with solids until then. Its round about this time as well that the baby’s natural iron stores rapidly deplete so now is a good time to crack out the bowl and spoon.

How do I know when baby is ready?

Firstly baby needs to have head control and has be able to sit in an upright position when supported to eat. The obvious sign is when baby’s milk feeds are lasting longer and when baby is hungrier. Baby should be able to control his/her tongue, they have a reflex when they are little where they push the food out with their tongue, and this should be gone when you start weaning. Taking an interest in your food is another clear sign. Some babies literally try and steal the food from your plate!

A few tips to follow, when introducing a new food its best to stick to that food only for a few days, providing baby will eat it. This way any allergic reactions will be easily traced. Once your baby has a palate of new foods you can begin to mix them together to give your baby some new flavours. If they don’t like a particular food the first time around then wait a few days and try again, babies can be selective at the best of times.

Preparing Baby Food

Equipment

The first point that I would like to stress is to make sure that your hands and all equipment that you are using are super clean. Babies have very sensitive tummies and we don’t want them picking up a bug! You don’t need any fancy tools for making baby food; most of the things will be in your kitchen already. A pan, steamer, sieve, fork or masher, blender, ice cube trays and some freezer bags. I have a big food processor but ive never used it for baby food, I have a hand blender that I use with a tall jug.

Cooking

Steaming is the best method for preserving all the vitamins and goodness from fruits and vegetables.

Boiling is also on of the easiest methods but some of the goodness can be lost. If you put in just enough water to cover the food then you can use the cooking water to make a smoother puree for younger babies.

Some foods do not require cooking and can be mashed for younger babies or simply cut for babies that finger feed. Avocado and banana spring to mind.

NEVER ADD ANY SALT OR SUGAR TO BABIES FOOD
DO NOT GIVE YOUR BABY NUTS
DON’T GIVE A BABY UNDER 1 YRS HONEY
Storing Baby Food

It’s important to store the food as soon as it has been prepared. Let the food cool first though. Pureed food can be kept sealed in the fridge, most books would say that it can be kept for 2-3 days there but I tend to err on the side of safety and never keep it more than a day.

My favourite storing method is freezing. I make up big batches of food and freeze in ice cube trays. Once they are just frozen I then remove them from the tray and seal in a freezer bag with the date and the content clearly marked. I never keep the food in there for more than 1 month.

The ice cubes can be thawed in the fridge, in a plastic bag under cold water or in the microwave at a low or defrost setting (be careful as heat spots may occur and burn baby’s mouth). Always reheat food thoroughly when needed. Never reheat food at room temperature as the bacteria will attack.

First Foods

Homemade Baby Rice is an excellent first food, nice and bland, fruits and vegetables can be gradually added once baby has had a taste of them all alone first. Homemade Rice doesn’t have all the added vitamins that manufacturers put in theirs put its far cheaper this way and breast/formula milk compensates for this.
To prepare this boil and simmer some white short grain rice in a pan for 20-25mins and keep the lid on until the rice has absorbed all the water. Remove and blend with some of the baby’s usual milk until smooth and then store accordingly. I have also done this with pudding rice.

Fruits and vegetables should be steamed or boiled and pureed using the cooking water or usual milk. Fruits like avocados and bananas should be mashed with a fork and served immediately as they discolour very quickly.

Potatoes also make a good base for other foods. Boil and simmer and then puree again with the usual milk and store. For a bit of variation try some sweet potatoes as well.

If you have any problems or doubts about weaning then always consult a medical professional.

Good luck with weaning and have fun!

Summary: Making your own food is by far the better option for baby, be proud for your efforts!