If your babe is sitting up, maybe scooting around, reaching for your food, or not totally satisfied after nursing or having a bottle, it’s probably time to introduce baby food! There are so many benefits to making your beautiful, sweet baby homemade food. Before you begin, you need to understand what exactly you’re taking on. Some parents can get overwhelmed with the amount of time it takes to prep, shop for fresh produce, and obtain the appliances needed to make it. Here are some pros and cons...
Homemade Baby Food
Pros:
Nutritional Control: You have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring that your baby gets fresh, wholesome foods without additives or preservatives.
Variety and Flavor: You can introduce a wide variety of flavors and textures, promoting a diverse palate early on.
Cost: It can be more cost-effective, especially when buying ingredients in bulk or using fresh produce in season.
Customization: You can tailor the food to your baby's preferences, dietary needs, and developmental stages.
Cons:
Time-consuming: It requires time for preparation, cooking, and sometimes freezing batches in advance.
Storage and Shelf Life: Homemade baby food may have a shorter shelf life than commercially produced options, necessitating careful storage and planning.
Convenience: It may not always be as convenient as ready-to-serve store-bought options, especially when traveling or on-the-go.
If you made it this far and you’re still full steam ahead, I’ve gathered my favorite baby food recipes, and some recipes from friends, that our babies have guaranteed delicious. 
Apple-Pear Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)
- 2 ripe pears (peeled, cored, and chopped)
Instructions:
1. Steam or boil the chopped apples and pears until tender (about 8-10 minutes).
2. Blend or mash the cooked fruits until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding water, breast milk, or formula if needed.
3. Let it cool before serving.
Sweet Potato and Carrot Mash
Ingredients:
- 1 sweet potato (peeled and diced)
- 2 carrots (peeled and sliced)
Instructions:
1. Steam or boil the sweet potato and carrots until soft (about 15 minutes).
2. Mash or blend together until smooth, adding water or breast milk/formula for desired consistency.
3. Cool before serving.
Banana-Oatmeal Porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 tbsp baby oatmeal cereal (or finely ground oats)
- Water, breast milk, or formula as needed
Instructions:
1. Mash the banana thoroughly.
2. Cook the baby oatmeal cereal with water or milk according to package instructions.
3. Mix the mashed banana into the oatmeal until well combined and smooth.
4. Cool slightly before serving.
Chicken and Vegetable Puree
Ingredients:
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (cooked and chopped)
- 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and green beans), steamed until tender
Instructions:
1. Puree the cooked chicken and steamed vegetables together until smooth.
2. Add water, breast milk, or formula as needed to achieve a suitable consistency.
3. Cool before serving.
Avocado and Banana Mash
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 ripe banana
Instructions:
1. Mash the avocado and banana together until smooth.
2. Adjust consistency with water, breast milk, or formula if necessary.
3. Serve immediately.
Butternut Squash and Lentil Puree
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 cup water or low-sodium vegetable broth
Instructions:
1. Steam or boil the butternut squash and lentils until tender (about 15 minutes).
2. Blend or puree with water or vegetable broth until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
3. Let it cool before serving. 
Spinach and Potato Mash
Ingredients:
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, washed
- Water for steaming
Instructions:
1. Steam the diced potato until soft (about 10-12 minutes).
2. Add the fresh spinach leaves during the last 2 minutes of steaming.
3. Blend or mash together until smooth. Add water as needed for desired consistency.
4. Cool slightly before serving.
Blueberry and Yogurt Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- Breast milk or formula as needed for thinning
Instructions:
1. Blend the blueberries and yogurt together until smooth.
2. Add breast milk or formula gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Serve immediately.
Quinoa and Vegetable Blend
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and broccoli), diced
- Water or low-sodium vegetable broth
Instructions:
1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions, using water or vegetable broth.
2. Steam or boil the mixed vegetables until tender.
3. Combine the cooked quinoa and vegetables. Blend or mash to desired consistency, adding liquid as needed.
4. Cool before serving.
Mango and Banana Puree
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
- 1 ripe banana
Instructions:
1. Steam the diced mango until soft (optional for younger babies).
2. Mash or blend the mango and banana together until smooth.
3. Adjust consistency with breast milk, formula, or water as needed.
4. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for any signs of allergies.
- As your baby grows, you can adjust the consistency of the purees to match their developing chewing abilities.
- Offer a variety of foods to expose your baby to different tastes and nutrients.
These recipes provide a good balance of nutrients and textures appropriate for babies transitioning to solid foods. Adjust the portion sizes and ingredients based on your baby's preferences and any dietary restrictions they may have. Dip your finger in all the food you make for your babe. Before you serve it to them you want to not only check for temperature, but to see how it tastes! Bon appétit!
