Mama CAN Cook

Even if it is only baby food.
I had always contemplated making my own baby food. Since I didn't know the first thing about it,  I approached it the same way as I approached breastfeeding - I'd try it and if it worked out then great, if not then at least there were alternatives!
Turns out it's not so hard. A few weeks ago, when we first started solids, I kind of played around with making it. If I felt like feeding her sweet potato, then I'd just cook one that same day, or I'd puree up a banana a few minutes before meal time. None of it it was overly hard so I decided to grab some veggies from the store and really start making some batches so I'd have some ready to go whenever. It's so much cheaper and I feel a lot better feeding her something I prepared myself. Like breastfeeding - I don't necessarily know where the solid food is coming from like BF'ing, but at least I know who prepared it and that only my TLC went into making it. Of course I'm not against giving her the jarred stuff, especially the foods that are a little too complicated for me to make, but for the most part I'm going to try and go the homemade route. 


There are really only three things you need to make your own baby food. Number one is a great resource. You don't need to go out and buy a book, either. I found a website called www.wholesomebabyfoods.com. Not only does it have a ton of recipes but it also has guides about when to introduce certain foods, etc. 


The next thing you need is a decent food processor or blender. I'm sure the gadgets designed specifically for making baby food are great, but certainly not necessary. All you need is a blender or food processor. I alternate between a mini-food processor (for things I make in small batches and don't really need to freeze, like bananas) and a regular food processor, like I used tonight, for bigger batches. 

Finally some kind of storage for the food so you can freeze it in small quantities. My generous mother was kind enough to buy these storage containers for me. They have little snappy lids on them and you can stack them. You could also use an ice cube tray and then pop them out and into a freezer bag, as well. Whatever works. 


I guess you need 4 things. You can't make baby food without the food! Easy enough though, just get it with your regular order. So far I've made banana, sweet potato, butternut squash and avocado. All are fairly simple, just make sure you cook the things that need to be cooked to the right tenderness and use ripe avocado so they come out to a smooth consistency.
I'm so glad I decided to make the majority of my baby food. It really makes me feel good to do this for Madi. And because I will be weaning her from breastfeeding soon, it makes me feel like I still have a hand in her nutrition.