Tips For Mom and Dad - Making Baby Food

Making your own baby food can:

Save money for other purchases.
Be easy and enjoyable.
Provide your baby with good nutrition.

Here are some guidelines to help you get started:

Fresh foods are best. Use fresh foods whenever possible. Rinse canned foods because they have salt and sugar added. You can use frozen foods with no sugar or salt added. Do not give baby fried foods.
Gather the equipment you need. Make baby foods using an electric blender, food mill, food grinder or by mashing with a fork.
Keep everything clean. Always have clean hands. Scrub all your equipment with soap and hot water, and rinse well before using. This includes utensils, blenders and cutting boards.
Do not taste the food and put the spoon back. Germs will grow in food if it is not prepared and stored carefully. These germs could make baby sick.

Prepare the baby food
Foods should be washed carefully and peeled. Meat, poultry, fish and eggs must be well cooked when you give them to baby. Follow these guidelines when preparing food for your baby:

Cook until done. Do not overcook.
Use only a small amount of water and cover the pan.
Save cooking liquid for preparing the food.
Blend, grind or mash food.

Safety and storage of excess baby food

Store food safely. If baby food is not served immediately, freeze or refrigerate it right away.
Refrigerated baby food should be covered and used in the next two days.
Baby foods can be frozen in covered ice cube trays. Remove the cubes from the tray when they are frozen solid. Put them in a plastic bag or container. Label the package with the name of the food and the date. Store in your freezer and use within one month. For each meal, remove the cubes you need. Thaw them in a dish over boiling water.

This page last updated on 2/19/08.