How to Puree and Store Homemade Baby Food - a quick introduction

Preparing homemade baby food puree is not only fun, it's also very simple. You will be surprised to see that it really will take less time to puree baby food than you imagined.

Pureeing homemade baby food is very simple. Cook the food, let it cool a bit, toss it into a blender or food processor and puree away. You can also use a stick mixer or an immersion blender. Puree and blend your baby foods as your creativity and your baby's age allows. Don't be afraid to puree sweet potatoes together with apples for example. And don't be afraid to use breast milk and/or formula. These 2 ingredients will give a nutrition boost as well as offer baby a familiar taste!

How To Make A Baby Food Purée

1. Start by cooking the vegetable/fruit either by steaming, baking, microwaving or boiling.

Steaming maintains the most nutrients. Steaming, baking and boiling all allow for big batches of foods to be made at one time.

Microwave if you have a small appliance or for when you plan to puree only a full ice tray of food. It is best to microwave in glass. Many parents prefer to not use a microwave (ourselves included); we suggest that you steam or bake as the preferred cooking method. Read all about the various Cooking Methods and Baby Food

2. Take the cooked vegetable or fruit and remove them into the machine you have decided to use for pureeing. 

3. Set aside the liquid that the vegetable/fruits were cooked in. This will be the liquid you add to make the puree. Adding this liquid also helps to preserve any nutrients that may have leached into the water during cooking. 
(Do not use reserved water from carrots or other high nitrate veggies for a baby under 7 months old. Read more about Nitrates )   You may also thin with Formula, Breast Milk or Plain Water.

4. Set your machine to puree or grind and begin to mash the vegetables or fruits.

5. As you are pureeing or blending, add the liquid or plain water.  You may use formula or breast milk if you so desire. These liquids give a little nutritional boost and add a familiar taste for baby.

Pureeing without adding any liquids is also a good option. Many parents prefer to thin their foods before they will serve them to their babies. We tend to prefer this as well.

Should I add liquid to thin the purees BEFORE or AFTER I freeze the purees? What should I use?

You may thin your purees either before or after freezing them. Using the cooking water to thin purees is really great as you will be adding back in any nutrients that may have leached out. For some vegetables like carrots, (see our article on Nitrates), you should not use the cooking water to thin the purees. 

Formula and/or breast milk are great for thinning out purees as they not only add nutrients, they add the familiar taste that your baby is accustomed to. It really is an individual choice and is dependent on what you will be using as your liquid (previously frozen breast milk for example should never be re-frozen.). Many parents find it easier to thin their purees first and then freeze. When baby moves on to more texture, it may be easier to simply freeze the purees and then thin upon thawing if needed. Read more about using Formula and/or Breast Milk to thin puree.

NOTE:  For every type of machine you may use to puree, the secret seems to be in how much food you put in the container baskets to begin with. No appliance will do a good job if over stuffed. Fill the containers less than half way full and add a scant amount of liquid to begin with.

How To Freeze the Baby Food Purée

Never freeze homemade baby food in glass that is not specifically labeled as "safe to freeze", for example old baby food jars are not meant for freezing.

1. Once you have a nice liquid baby food puree you will then transfer the puree into ice cube trays for freezing/storage.

2. Fill each cube with the puree, as though you were filling the tray with water to make ice cubes.

3. Cover the tray with plastic wrap (foil may be used however is not
recommended as shards of the foil may be left on/in the food cubes) and put it in the freezer.

Repeat this process until you have filled all the trays and no puree remains. (Tupperware and OXO brands (prices from $3.99 to $7.00) make ice cube trays with lids if you would prefer getting trays with lids)

4. Each cube is equal to approximately 1 ounce of food.

5. Once the cubes of puree have set and are frozen, take the trays out of the freezer and transfer the cubes into freezer bags.

6. Be sure to label the bag with the date of preparation as well as the type of food. The baby food cubes should be used within a month of freezing.

7. When it is time to feed baby, simply take out the number of food cubes needed and thaw and then reheat.

Read the Freezing Baby Food page to learn about other important information. We have also compiled a chart of foods that freeze well and those that do not.

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SUGGESTED APPLIANCES TO USE FOR THE 3 "STAGES" OF BABY FOOD
Stage "1" for the thin watery purees that make baby's first solids	Use a Blender, a good Hand/Wand/Stick Mixer, a Vita-Mix or a Food Processor.  Use the "liquefy" and/or "purée" settings.
Stage "2" for thicker purees as baby moves onto more texture	A Blender, a good Hand/Wand/Stick Mixer, a Vita-Mix, a Food Mill/Grinder, a "Ricer", a Potato Masher or a Food Processor should take you through this stage as well. Adjust the settings on your machine to "blend", "mix" and "purée" using more of a pulse than a continual whir.
Stage "3" and beyond - for chunky, thick purees and "table foods"	A Blender, a Vita-Mix, a Food Mill/Grinder, a "Ricer" , a Potato Masher or a Food Processor should take you through this stage as well.Adjust the settings on your chosen appliance to "grind", "mix" and/or "chop", again you should use more of a pulse than a continual whir.

Storing Homemade Baby Food Purée in the Refrigerator

How long can freshly made homemade baby food stay in the refrigerator?

It is recommended that fresh pureed homemade baby food be stored no longer than 48 hours (many food safety authorities say that 72 hour is fine.) in the refrigerator. This time limit ensures that the possibility of bacteria growth in the puree is kept to a minimum and that the food does not take on the "taste of the fridge". This "rule" applies for veggies, fruits, meats etc.

If you do not plan to freeze your homemade baby food, we would suggest that you make the puree on a day to day, or every other day, basis. For example, one sweet potato may be baked and then you may freeze one half without pureeing it and then puree the other half. This method will help cut down "waste" and also allow for food safety.

Experts say that it takes an infant between 15 to 21 instances of trying a food before a true like or dislike is established. If you are just beginning to introduce solid foods, you really will not be able to determine if your baby has a true dislike for a food until much later.

Freezing purées allows you to go back and try a "rejected" food over again.  Even if you will be strictly following the 3-4 day wait rule, we still recommend freezing baby food purees for optimal food safety.

 If you do make small batches and store in the refrigerator, please keep in  mind that you should not feed your baby from the container and then re-store. Saliva may contaminate the food and bacteria may evolve. Always take the portions you will serve from the container and transfer to a feeding bowl.

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When Should the Purée be put into the Freezer or Refrigerator?

Visit our Freezing Baby Food page to learn about Freezing Methods and the foods that freeze well.

While the professional food jury is still a bit divided, the most highly recommend food safety advice on storing foods from the majority of food sources is this:

Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods promptly..

Harmful bacteria can grow rapidly if foods aren't properly cooled. Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods within two hours of purchasing or preparing them.

If the room temperature is above 90 F, refrigerate perishable foods within one hour. Freeze ground meat, poultry, fish and shellfish if you don't expect to eat it within two days, and freeze other beef, veal, lamb or pork within three to five days. (read the Mayo Clinic Freezing Information page) 

Some say that immediately transferring HOT foods to the freezer is NOT good because that hot food will affect the temperature of the foods around it and quite possibly the temperature of the whole freezer.

I recommend transferring the food you have cooked to the fridge and then to package for freezer storage within 2-3 hours. You may safely leave prepared foods in the fridge for up to 48 hours (72 MAX) so it is up to you whether you want to immediately move your foods to the freezer.

Salt and sugar are never needed when making baby food. Omit these items, preferably at ALL times, in your baby's meals. Other spices such as cinnamon, garlic powder, pepper etc. may be introduced as early as 7 months with your pediatricians consult. 

 Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.

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Source: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

How To Make Your Own Baby Food | Part 2

Preparing the food

After washing, cook vegetables – and fruits like apples and prunes that need to be softened – before pureeing or grinding. Bake, boil, or steam the produce until it's soft. If you boil the food, use as little liquid as possible and add some of the leftover liquid when mashing the food (or add it to your family's soup stock).

Peel and pit the produce if necessary and strain out any seeds. Some fruits and vegetables don't require any liquid – simply mash, add a seasoning or two, and serve. For others, you may want to add a little liquid (breast milk, formula, or water) as you puree or grind to get the consistency you want. As your baby adapts to solid foods, you can add less liquid.

Grains like quinoa or millet can also be pureed or ground in a food mill. Cook them first according to package directions. For older babies, whole grains make fabulous finger food.

To prepare meat and poultry, remove the skin and trim the fat before cooking. Then puree the cooked meat in a blender or grind it up in a food mill with a little liquid. For older babies, simply chop the meat into very small pieces.

If this all sounds like a lot of trouble, keep in mind that "homemade baby food" can be the very same food you feed the rest of your family. It's an old-fashioned idea that deserves to be resurrected. Simply use your food mill or other tool to puree, blend, or mash some of the same food that your family is having for dinner.

Soups and stews, for example, can be processed and fed to your baby. The same goes for most healthy foods your family might eat. Pack empty baby food jars with extra so you'll have a meal for the next day.

Serving tips

• Serve the food no warmer than body temperature.
• Use caution if you heat meals in the microwave. Microwaves heat unevenly and can create "hot spots" – areas of the food that are much hotter than others – so be sure to stir microwaved food well and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
• Only dish out the amount of food you think your baby will eat at that feeding. You'll need to toss what's left over because your baby's saliva will get into the mixture and make it easy for bacteria to grow in the food.
• Don't sweeten your baby's food. Babies don't need any extra sugar. And never use honey or corn syrup, which can cause botulism – a potentially fatal form of food poisoning – in babies.
• Use seasonings. Despite the tradition of feeding babies bland food, they can tolerate and enjoy different flavors.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and use them up within a couple of days. You can also freeze leftovers in ice cube trays or similar devices. After the cubes are frozen solid, remove them and store in plastic freezer bags. Fruits and vegetables frozen this way will last six to eight months. Meat (including poultry) and fish will last one to two months.

Baby food recipes

Check out our baby food recipes from experts Annabel Karmel and Bridget Swinney.

Source: http://www.babycenter.com

How To Make Your Own Baby Food | Part 1

Making your own baby food is easy, efficient, and economical. Instead of spending money on prepackaged baby food, you can use fresh produce, grains, and meat that you have on hand. Best of all, you'll know exactly what you're feeding your baby.

Going the do-it-yourself route also gets your baby used to eating the same food the rest of the family does, a strategy that may pay off during the picky toddler years.

Choosing the right equipment

You'll need a tool to grind or puree the food. Some possibilities, all of which you can buy at stores or online:

• A hand-turned food mill with different blades for various textures of food. Many parents say this portable, non-electric gadget is their favorite tool. (Search online for "food mill.")
• An all-in-one baby-food maker, a device that first steam-cooks and then purees fruit, vegetables, and meat for your baby. Some models also defrost and reheat previously prepared food. (Search for "baby food maker.")
• A baby food grinder, a very inexpensive and simple way to break down chunks of food for your baby, non-electric and portable, but you don't have a choice of textures. Read the reviews online before ordering. The grinders don't always work as well as they promise, but some parents swear by them. (Search for "baby food grinder.")
• A hand blender, a useful electric gadget that purees food like a blender does, but works in the opposite way: You place it into the food rather than vice versa. (Search for "hand blender.")
• A regular kitchen blender or food processor. You probably already have at least one of these at home. A blender or food processor might work well for you, though you might find it less than ideal for small jobs.
• A good old-fashioned fork. This simple piece of kitchen equipment found in every kitchen does a great job with easily mashed foods such as sweet potatoes, avocados, and bananas.

Other useful supplies:

• Storage containers and ice cube trays (or similar trays made just for baby food) for refrigerating and freezing extra portions.

Buying the best produce

Choose the freshest fruits and vegetables, and try to use what you buy in a day or two. When fresh isn't available, frozen is a fine option. (If you prefer organic produce, find outhow to buy organic food for less.)

Good fruits to start with include apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, mangoes, peaches, pears, plums, and prunes. Vegetables to try include asparagus tips, avocados, carrots, peas, potatoes, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.

Don't limit yourself to these, though. For more ideas, see our article on adventurous first foods.

Minimizing nitrate exposure

Nitrates are a chemical found in water and soil, and they're a concern when it comes to feeding your baby. Babies who ingest too much can develop a type of anemia called methemoglobinemia.

Preparing formula with well water that's high in nitrates is the usual cause of the illness, but some vegetables can also contain nitrates. The most likely sources are beets, carrots, green beans, spinach, and squash.

To be on the safe side, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents not to feed these vegetables to babies under 3 months old. (Actually, the AAP doesn't recommend feeding babies any solid food at all until 4 to 6 months, but if you do decide to offer your infant vegetables before 3 months, you'll want to avoid these in particular.)

There are a few things you can do to make sure your baby isn't exposed to high levels of nitrates:

• If you have well water, have it tested. It should contain less than 10 ppm of nitrates.
• Nitrates increase with storage time unless frozen. When using fresh vegetables for homemade baby food, prepare the food as soon as possible after purchase and freeze extra servings right away.
• Consider using frozen vegetables instead of fresh for the foods highest in nitrates.

Baby food companies test their products for nitrates. So store-bought baby food – including dishes containing beets, carrots, green beans, spinach, or squash – should be free of these chemicals.

Source: http://www.babycenter.com/