If you've ever considered making baby food, there are a few
things you should be aware of. Some are health related considerations,
other are general tips and ideas, but all of them should help you make
the best and healthiest food you can for your little baby.
Do:
1. The easiest way to start making baby food
is pureeing vegetables or fruits. Simply cook them, pop into a food
processor and puree. Remember that younger babies should start with
thinners purees.
You can get different levels of consistency by adding
breast milk or formula to the food processor.
2. The best choice
for is always fresh produce. Canned or preserved food may include sodium
and other unnecessary ingredients. That's the advantage making your own
baby food has over commercial one. If you can't find proper fresh
produce, use frozen.
3. The best way to cook baby food is by
steaming it. Steaming or baking saves all the vitamins, minerals and
other "goodies" inside the vegetables. Boiling them on the other hand
would move them into the cooking water. In that case you can use some of
this water when making the puree, so at least a part of those vitamins
would go back into what the baby eats.
4. Making your own baby
food can actually save you money. That's because you can make it in
bulk. Storing it in the fridge is allowed for only 2-3 days, but
freezing it is safe for weeks and even months. Here's a tip: scoop your
puree into ice cube trays. Once it is frozen, transfer them into freezer
bags and label them with the content and date. You can make baby food
for the entire month!
5. Starting solid baby food should be done
slowly and gradually. The baby would still be drinking breast milk or
formula. There's no point in making baby food in big amounts without
freezing it. That's why the ice cubes are so helpful. The baby's first
meal is no more than one tablespoon of food - simply defrost a single
cube. As days and weeks go by, mix and match more cubes.
Don't:
1.
Babies under 6 months old should eat either breast milk or formula.
It's the AAP recommendation that relies on the fact that it takes time
for the baby's digestive system to develop. It's only after 4-6 months
babies looses the reflex to push anything but liquid out of their mouth
and can hold up their heads.
2. Homemade baby food for babies up
to 12 months old should not include: cow's milk, egg white and honey.
Each has a risk of either an allergic reaction, or digestive problems.
Around 9 months you can start using yogurt or cooked egg yolks.
3.
Don't introduce more than a single new food to your baby at a time.
Instead, wait 4 days after each one and pay attention. This way you can
keep track of what might cause allergies or other discomfort.
4.
When defrosting food you had frozen, it is best to avoid using a
microwave. Microwaves might heat up the food unevenly, leaving some of
it colder and some of it so hot it can burn your baby's mouth. Either
let the food defrost in room temperature or heat it up over boiling
water.
5. Don't limit the baby's fat intake until he or she are 2
years old. Babies need fat as an energy source to achieve a healthy
development. On the other hand, don't add sugar to when making baby food. Try to expose your baby to a variety of tastes and flavors by making other kinds of baby food besides sweet.
Tom Beni likes to cook and to spend time with his kids. He enjoys
combing the two by cooking for them ever since they were babies. He is a
co-founder of the baby food recipes
[http://www.my-baby-food.com/recipes/] blog.
This article should be used as a general guideline. It is not a professional medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby, please consult your doctor.
This article should be used as a general guideline. It is not a professional medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your baby, please consult your doctor.
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