My Baby’s Personal Chef
Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 12:18AM
I introduced Taz to solids a few weeks ago. Since then she's tried cereal, sweet potatoes, parsnips, green beans, carrots and avocado. Parsnips are her favorite so far. I'm making all of her food (excluding cereal, which I use Happy Bellies organic brown rice cereal) and I'm having so much fun with it. I consider myself my baby’s personal chef even though not much cooking is involved. As you an see she's enjoying very much!
While I could just use a good old steamer and food processor to make Taz’s food I invested in the Beaba Babycook! I love that I can steam and puree with one compact machine. Call me lazy but I’d rather not have to first steam the veggies (I have a huge steamer) - and then use my food processor - and then have to wash all the parts. The one thing that would make the Babycook even better is if it was just a little bigger so that I could make bigger batches.
Yesterday morning I spent a couple of hours making food for the next two weeks. I made half while Taz was napping and I sat her in her high chair in the kitchen so she could observe while I finished the other half. Here is a photo of the freshly made sweet potatoes, parsnips, peas and carrots I made. I've included a short list below of some of my favorite things that I use to make Taz's baby food. I’m such a sucker for convenience and good information!
Stay-Fresh Reusable Baby Food Containers - I love that I can grab and go! The screw-on lids prevent leaks in my diaper bag. Also they are BPA free and freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Annabel Karmel Freeze Cube Tray - Of course I could use regular ice trays but I bought these instead because they include lid and they’re BPA free. It’s a little tough getting the food out of the cubes sometimes but I just use a butter knife and gently carve around the frozen cube to get out.
First Meals & More, Top 100 Baby Purees and Super Baby Food are the three books I’m using as guides for introducing solids, recipe ideas and other suggestions on feeding. I also love the Wholesome Baby Food website and visit daily.
Munchkin Safety Spoons - They turn white if your baby’s food is too hot. I thought I would simply rely on the spoon to tell me if my baby’s food is too hot but I still like to test-taste before putting anything in my baby’s mouth. These spoons are the perfect shape for feeding.
Skip Hop Palate Plate Bowls - Just the perfect size for feedings. Includes a lid and the bowls are dishwasher and microwave safe.
Do you make your own baby food? Is there anything I should add to my list?
Reader Comments (7)
Wow, look at you go, Alex! I'm impressed! How much of solids do you give her daily? Also, curious if you add any spices like cinnamon to your recipes or does that come later after the baby has gotten accustom to the texture, tastes?
Thanks for introducing me to the Beaba Babycook! I'd like to suggest you check out my book as another resource for baby food recipes and much more! Baby Bites: Everything you Need to Know About Babies and Toddlers in one Handy Book.
Thanks Jennifer! I am feeding Reese twice a day about 1-2 tablespoons per feeding. From what I've read, a typical feeding can be anywhere from 1-4 tablespoons depending on the baby. I feed Taz in the morning about 30 min after her first breastfeeding and then in the evening/dinner before her last bottle feeding.
I haven't yet started to add herbs & spices but am planning on it. Annabel Karmel (from First Meals & More) suggests that adding different herbs and species will help you baby become accustomed to more sophisticated tastes and the younger she is when you start, the easier it will be to make the transition to big people food :). That said, I've decided to first introduce Taz to a bunch of veggies and fruits and then I will start to incorporate herbs and spices probably in her 7th month.
Bridget, I do love my Beaba Babycook. Glad I could introduce you to it. It makes making baby food even more fun. I'll check out your Baby Bites book! The reviews sound promising. Do you know how it compares to the three books that I reference in my post above? Thank you!
Jennifer, here is some additional information on introducing herbs and spices that I have found helpful! http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/can-babies-eat-spicy-food.html
I have heard baby food keeps frozen for 6 weeks...and I've also heard for 6 months. What have you heard? Or maybe it depends on the food.
I used mini silicone muffin pans to freeze - the food pops right out, easily (not sure if they are BPA free though...) When the food is frozen, I put each serving in a mini zip lock bag (labeled and dated) so I can make more food in the trays. I have a ton saved.
It's definitely not as overwhelming as you might think! The top 100 baby purees book has a recipe for blueberry/banana - my daughter LOVES this one!
I am so happy to feed my baby organic food. I used to mix a probiotic into the food but with this product, it's already in there so it is much more convenient. My baby likes this especially when I mix it with a veggie or fruit puree. As an added benefit, this rice cereal doesn't 'bind' up my baby the way Earth's Best does, so the form of iron in this cereal must be better for him. I used to think it was the rice that was binding him, but as soon as we changed to this brand, he was all better.