When money is tight, you can always create your own baby food.
Many baby foods found in stores are safe and convenient, however many
contain a lot of sugar, water and starch. Homemade ones have lower
amounts and are more natural.
Babies don't need to consume solid
foods until they are at 4-6 months old. Babies younger than 4-6 months
old have not learned how to swallow. If they are given solid foods at
any age before 4-6 months, they'll most likely push out the solid food
due to the sucking reflex of the mouth. There is also the option of
forcing the food down, however if you aren't careful, it might cause the
baby to choke or gag. Once your baby is anywhere between 4 or 6 months
old, it'll be much easier to feed them solids; however make sure that
the food has small lumps and is lightly textured.
The first foods
for a baby have to be soft. Many health nutritionists suggest that
infant rice cereal filled with iron, mixed with a baby formula or breast
milk should be the baby's first food solid food. This is because rice
has a much lower chance than the other grain products to cause any
allergic reactions. You can use a food processor, grinder, food mill or a
basic blender to make the food softer so it'll be easier for the baby
to consume. If all of this sounds too time consuming to you, you can
always use a fork. If you are having a family meal and want to feed your
baby, take out a portion of the food for the baby before you add any
taste to it (spice, seasoning, salt, and so forth) in case allergies are
present. After a month or so of solid foods, you can begin feeding your
baby small pieces of meat, fruits or vegetables.
What Age Should Babies Begin To Eat Solid Foods?
When
the baby is anywhere between 4 or 6 months old, you can feed them
cereal and rice mixed with formula or breast milk. When the baby is 7
months old, you can begin feeding them small pieces of vegetables. At 8
months, small pieces of fruit are acceptable. At 10 months, you can
begin feeding the baby small pieces of egg yolks and meats. When your
baby is 10 months old or older, you can begin feeding them dairy
products such as yogurt or cheese.
Food Safety
Make
you sure you prepare the food very carefully. Babies are much more
vulnerable to sicknesses than toddlers or older children. Be sure to
wash your hands before you make baby food and make sure that any raw
foods are cooked very carefully. Make sure that the baby food isn't left
alone at room temperature for two hours or more once it's prepared,
otherwise bacteria will grow quickly. If your baby doesn't eat,
refrigerate the food.
Steps to Making a Safe, Tasty and Healthy Food
- Before doing anything, wash your hands thoroughly and make sure that the equipment you use is clean.
- Rinse any fruits you have before you use them and scrub the vegetables you have. Remove all pits or seeds from the fruit. For meats, remove the skin, fat, gristle, and bones. Make sure that the food is fresh and not left overs.
- When cooking the food, make sure to cook the food in water. Later, if the recipe you use asks for liquid, you can use the water you cooked. The foods can also be baked or steamed.
- Make sure not to add any seasonings, sugar, salt, honey, or any sweetener. The sweet taste in foods doesn't do anything for the baby. Chances are, your baby will like the food the way it is. Babies under 12 months old can be ill from consuming corn syrup or honey because they might contain botulism spores. These cannot be destroyed by the digestive system of a young baby.
- Mash the food until it is semi solid or soft enough for the baby to consume safely without choking or hurting their gums.
- If you have a lot of food, you can place them in a container or jar and put it in the freezer or refrigerator. If you have just enough, you can begin feeding the baby. If you have left overs, you can place them in the refrigerator, however make sure they eat it within the next day. If you use a freezer, make sure that the baby food fits the ice cube slots.
Food Recipes for Babies
Meat(s):
What you Need:Half a cup of cubed cooked meat and 3 to 4 tablespoons of water.
How to Cook: Mash them and mix them until they are smooth.
Age Requirement to Eat:10 months or older.
Banana-Oatmeal:
What
you Need: Quarter cup of rolled oats and baby formula or breast milk; a
third of a whole banana and half cup of formula or breast milk.
How to Cook: 1. Combine the half cup of baby formula or breast milk with the oats. Boil it and simmer for about 5 minutes.
2. When that is happening, combine the banana with and the quarter cup of baby formula or breast milk and mash them together.
3.Then, combine the oatmeal and banana.
Age Requirement to Eat: 8 months or older.
Vegetable(s):
What you Need: Canned vegetables or fresh vegetables.
How to Cook: 1.If you are using fresh vegetables, make sure to clean them thoroughly.
2. To cook them, use a small amount of water and cook at low heat. After they have been cooked, mash it and let it cool.
These are some combinations of vegetables that can be mixed for a healthy and tasty meal for your baby:
- Peas and carrots
- Peas and green beans
- Mashed potatoes and green beans
- Squash and sweet potatoes
- Mashed potatoes and carrots
Age Requirement to Eat: 7 months or older.
Yogurt and Fruit:
What you Need: Quarter cup of cooked fruit and plain yogurt.
How to Cook: Combine and mash them together.
Age Requirement to Eat: 10 months or older.
Meat
Dinners: What you Need: Quarter cup of cooked vegetables; baby formula
or breast milk; rice, potato or enriched macaroni; and half cup of
cooked meat.
How to Cook: Mash them together or blend them. Make sure that only a few lumps are left.
These are some food combinations:
- Rice, chicken and carrots
- Potatoes, liver and green beans
- Potatoes, beef and peas
- Macaroni, beef and squash
Age Requirement to Eat: 10 months or older.
Meat Balls:
What you need: Half cup of rolled oats or mashed potatoes and pork or lean ground beef.
How to Cook: 1. Thoroughly mix the potatoes or oatmeal with the meat.
2. Begin forming meat balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
3. Place them on a baking sheet, then place them in the oven to cook for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
4. Once done, drain the fat and let them cool.
Age Requirement to Eat: 10 months or older.
What
you feed your baby is very important for their health. Baby food
products at the stores are good, however they contain a lot of sugar and
starch. If you want the food to be more natural, create your own baby
food with fresh ingredients.
Parenting and the future of our children are important. Tommy
Phung writes about topics related to parenting and health. Parenting can
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