How to make baby food

So- you are about to get ready to serve your baby his/her first foods...and you are wondering...

"How do I start?", "Is it hard?", "Why not just buy jar food?"

These are some questions I had and have been asked of me since I have become a passionate baby food maker. My answer- it is the EASIEST, CHEAPEST and most FUN thing to do!

What you need:
* food (organic is best, if you can get it)
* steamer
* blender/food processor/hand masher/fork
* breast milk/water
* ice cube trays/special baby food storage trays

First, pick out what you want your child to eat and what is age appropriate.

Next, you need to cook it (if applicable). You can steam, roast, boil, bake...whatever you like. Each makes the food a little bit different tasting- so experiment. (Boiling does cause more nutrients to be lost than steaming. So if possible, steam your food). Play with texture and cooking times. At first, you will want the food as soft as possible until your child learns to swallow- but some babies are ready for more texture from the get go!

Last, mush it up! This is where you can be creative as well. Blending, processing, and hand mashing all create different textures. You will quickly learn what works best for you and your baby, and what he/she likes best.
In this step- depending on the food- you may need to add breast milk or water to get it the right consistency. (breast milk is best, especially if you are already nursing, because your baby already LOVES the taste! Plus, they will still get the benefits).

You are done!

Now, you can keep your food in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days and in the freezer for a month. Just put the extra in the ice cube/baby storage trays and cover. Once frozen, transfer into a plastic bag. Now, once you need the food, you can take out one cube at a time and warm up.
(Be careful when using a microwave- as it heats unevenly and can be a hazard to your baby). Reheating is better done over the stove- and ALWAYS check that it is not too hot!

HAVE FUN!!! Experiment and tell us about your experiences. If you have any tips- share them here too!