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Homemade Baby Food Made Easy

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November 10, 2021 Infant

“I can make that!” Have you ever thought that when looking at the jars of baby food at the grocery store? As more families choose to eat “cleaner” foods with fewer preservatives, the homemade baby food trend has grown. Moms choose to make their own baby food for other reasons too. For example, they can use foods that they’re already making for the rest of the family, like cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

Homemade baby food has other benefits, too. “I started making my son’s baby food at home because I wanted him to taste a larger variety of food than was available in the store,” says Melissa Connor, a registered dietitian and mother to a 1-year-old boy. When my first daughter was ready to start on solids, I chose to make my own baby food to save money and to make sure my baby was getting the highest quality ingredients. Whether you decide to try homemade baby food to save money, to add variety, or to avoid added preservatives, the following tips will get you started on your own baby food creations in no time!

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Most babies are ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age. If your baby is able to sit up on their own, and shows interest in food by opening their mouth when food is nearby, they may be telling you they’re ready.

Ingredient Preparation Steam/Boil Time Microwave Time Prep Tool
Fresh Banana or Avocado Peel and cut into small pieces. N/A N/A Fork or Potato Masher
Fresh Zucchini or Summer Squash Cut into thin slices. 10 minutes or until tender 2-3 minutes Immersion/Regular Blender or Food Processor
Frozen Peas or Green Beans Whole pieces 4-5 minutes 2-3 minutes Immersion or Regular Blender
Fresh Pears, Peaches, Plums or Nectarines Wash, peel and remove stems, seeds, and pits. Cut into small pieces. 5-7 minutes 2-3 minutes Immersion or Regular Blender or Food Processor
Fresh or Frozen Carrots or Fresh Sweet Potatoes Wash and peel. Cut into small pieces. 10-12 minutes or until soft 4-6 minutes or until soft Blender or Food Processor
Fresh Apples Wash, peel, and remove stems and seeds. Cut into thin slices. 7-10 minutes or until soft 3-5 minutes or until soft. Immersion or Regular Blender or Food Processor
This guide will help you to choose what tools will work best for your recipes & your budget. fork masher immersion-blender blender food-processor
Kitchen Tool: Fork Potato Masher Immersion
Blender		 Blender Food Processor
Price Range: Free $13 $15-$40 $20-$50 $30-$95
Useful for: Soft foods like bananas and avocados that can be mashed. Starchy foods like potatoes and winter squash Pureeing small batches of soft fruits and vegetables in the saucepan or a storage container. Smaller than a blender and easy to store. Steamed fruits and vegetables, beans, dry grains like oats. Pureeing more solid foods like carrots, potatoes, and for grinding grains to make cereals. Can easily make larger batches of foods.

Tips for Easy Homemade Baby Food

  • When using the stove top, add fruits and vegetables to water that is boiling.
  • Cooking too long can lead to loss of vitamins. Only cook until foods are soft, and rinse in cold water to stop the food from cooking.
  • Microwave fruits and vegetables in a covered glass or ceramic dish. (Avoid plastic.)
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the dish before microwaving.
  • Add breast milk, cooking water, or formula to make the food into a smooth paste when mashing or pureeing.
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Keeping baby’s food safe

  • Wash your hands in warm soapy water for 20 seconds before preparing your baby’s food.
  • Clean all cooking tools and surfaces with hot, soapy water, or in the dishwasher.
  • Never use the same cutting boards, cooking tools, or bowls that may have come into contact with raw meats, eggs, poultry or fish.
  • Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water. White vinegar can be used as a produce rinse to remove pesticides. Make your own produce rinse using 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of white vinegar. It’s important to wash produce even if you don’t cook it because germs on the outside of the food can end up in the food your baby will eat.
  • Refrigerate or freeze any leftover baby food within two hours of preparing or cooking.
  • Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40 degrees F or below.
  • Freeze any batches of baby food that you don’t use within two days. (One day for meat, poultry and fish.)
  • Use a clean ice cube tray to freeze into 1-ounce portions. Freeze up to 30 days in a zip-top bag that has been labeled with the date.
  • For more food safety tips visit homefoodsafety.org.

Install this web app on your iPhone: tap ios-share and then Add to Home Screen.

SIDE-LYING HOLD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE HOLD

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Laid-Back Hold

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position