Homemade baby food…I know what you’re thinking, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Extra time is a rare commodity in my household with a three year old and a seven month old on the move. Some days I feel like I’m doing good just to keep the kids clothed, fed and breathing by the time my husband gets home from work! (Come on Mamas, you know what I’m talking about!) If you asked me months ago if I planned on making my own baby food, I would have given you the look of annoyance. Let’s face it; it can be intimidating, time consuming and messy (and I’m already downing in dirty dishes…).
My baby started solids last month and I was both excited and dreading this milestone as a second time Mom. I was excited but also slightly anxious trying wrap my mind around the extra time and effort that was going to have to go into meal times. When the first foods crossed his palate he was initially interested in this new texture, but curiosity soon turned into refusal. What was I doing wrong? Why wasn’t my baby eating? Ugh! I tried several different brands, several different types of food, even called the pediatrician! One day I was talking to a friend at church and she told me that her grandson was having the same exact reaction to store-bought baby food. She went on to tell me that her daughter tried making baby food from fresh fruits and veggies and her little guy was gobbling the food up! I felt like I had tried everything at this point, but I hadn’t tried making my own food for him. What did I have to lose?!
This is when my journey with baby food making began! I busted out the Baby Bullet, some ice cube trays and the handy dandy steamer and got to work. I started with just a small batch of sweet potatoes because I just knew in the back of my mind that my little man was just going to refuse them. To my surprise, he gobbled them up and was happy about it! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I tried several other recipes and again, he couldn’t get enough!
Cooking for others is my happy place, but I never thought I would enjoy making my son’s baby food. It has turned out to be minimal work to produce an abundance of food that lasts for WEEKS!
After doing the cost break down of store bought verses home made baby food, I am absolutely sold! Below are the cost breakdowns of a few foods that I’ve made:
Store bought baby food ranges from .20 to .32 cents an ounce on average(average prices were calculated based on prices from Kroger, Target and Amazon)
Homemade carrots .03 an ounce
Homemade butternut squash .13 an ounce
Homemade sweet potato and apples .10 an ounce
Homemade peas .10 an ounce
If you’re rolling your eyes at this point, that’s okay, “Just keep on keepin’ on girl!” I don’t think there is anything wrong with store bought food. I’m so thankful to have an alternative that worked for my baby and the extra cost savings is just an added perk!
I make my son’s baby food, and what a savings! We have pear sauce & applesauce in the freezer right now, along with zucchini, carrots, and he just finished the peas. This week we’re going to try green beans. I supplement with fresh ripe bananas and avocados. Oh, and when I make beef stew or chicken broth, I set aside a little meat to puree plain for him, too. This boy LOVES his chicken (makes his grandma proud!) Beef was iffy until I mixed it with carrots. The kitchen is my happy place, too.
Elizabeth- That is awesome! I haven’t tried pears or green beans yet, but I just purchased some at the store. We are going to give it a whirl this week. Using stew meat is an excellent idea- saving both time and cost of having to buy something extra. Glad we share the same happy place. 🙂
Yay Jenna! I make all the T-man’s food; he just wasn’t crazy about puréed food so after a month I just started steaming everything super soft, putting it in the freezer in chunks ready to go! Love making his food and how crazy easy it really is!!
Awesome Haley! I was shocked about how easy it was as well. Takes some time commitment at first but once you have your groove down, it is so easy to whip it out. Love the idea of freezing chunked up food!
Hey Jenna! Loved the article and look forward to more!!! I loved making both my kiddos baby food- I wasn’t able to nurse(no milk :() and of course had mom guilt so I felt like I could do my own baby food!!! And they loved it- I think it helped with them not being picky eaters!
Mommy guilt is the WORST!!!!! I think we are all guilty of it at some time or another. Us Mama’s need to not be so hard on ourselves. 🙂
I taste everything that my 9 month old eats, and if I don’t like, I don’t give it to him. Of course, I like just about everything except most store bought baby food purees. Probably because there is no texture and no salt…So I am one of those rebel moms that adds salt to his food and some seasonings like basil. The nugget loves it!
You go girl! 🙂 Your doing such an awesome job with Mr. R!