Starting Solids: Finding Healthy and Easy to Make Baby Recipes…
Most babies are considered developmentally ready to get a taste of their first solids when they reach four to six months old. If you are not sure whether your child is ready to take his or her first solids, you should consider checking the signs. These signs can include your child’s ability to support his or her head up. In addition, babies become ready when they already become interested in what you are eating. They often try to grab food from you.
Once you have established that your child is ready, you can check baby recipes that you can make at home to feed your child. There are actually a lot of possibilities and you can make this experience a fun, enjoyable, and positive event for you and your child.
Enjoying the Benefits of Homemade Baby Food Recipes
There are actually a lot of benefits that you can get when you make your own baby food at home. One of the most important benefits of making your own baby food is that you know exactly what your baby is eating. Compared to commercially prepared baby food, you will know exactly whether or not your baby is eating healthy foods. You are guaranteed that the food you prepare and feed your child does not contain ‘fillers’ or preservatives.
Another benefit of making your child’s food is that you can actually customize them according to your child’s needs and preferences. If your child does not like the taste of one ingredient, then you can mix and match other healthy ingredients in the food that you prepare. Moreover, you are guaranteed that the ingredients that you use are fresh and healthy when you make your own child’s food.
When you make your baby’s food, you can actually save money. Homemade baby food recipes are actually cheaper compared to commercially sold baby foods. Lastly, making your child’s food is rewarding and satisfying for both you and your baby.
Preparing Batches of Baby Food
If you are concerned with not having enough time to make your own baby food, you do not need to worry as there are ways on how you can store them and use later. In fact, you can actually make batches of baby food and store them in a way that they are kept fresh and healthy. Preparing your own baby food is not as time consuming as you might think.
Easy to Prepare and Healthy Baby Food Recipes
When your baby has reached six months old, he or she might be ready to eat his or her first solid foods. Listed below are some of the most nutritious recipes that you can make at home. These recipes can give your baby the nutrition he or she needs, while introducing different flavors that will develop and stimulate his or her sense of taste.
Banana Puree
Banana has been dubbed as one of the most favored food for babies. In fact, they are easy to prepare, nutritious and healthy. Moreover, banana is a good source of potassium.
For this recipe, you have to prepare the following:
- 1 small ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons of milk formula
- 2 teaspoons of baby rice
In preparing this baby food, you have to follow the following steps:
- Mash the ripe banana until it becomes smooth.
- Mix the milk and rice, and combine the mixture to the mashed bananas. You can adjust the texture of the baby good with the milk or rice to make it firmer or according to your preference.
- Serve and enjoy.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Puree
The combination of broccoli and cauliflower makes a baby food that is a good source of vitamin C and iron.
Ingredients:
- 1 large cauliflower
- 1 large broccoli
- milk formula (optional)
- boiled, cooled water
Steps:
- Steam both the cauliflower and broccoli until they become tender.
- Puree the vegetables using a blender. You can adjust the texture of the puree using boiled, cooled water or your child’s usual milk.
Pear and Apple Puree
This puree is a great source of Vitamin C. This is also a tasty meal for your baby.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sized apple, peeled and sliced
- 1 ripe pear, also peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon of water
Steps:
- Place both the fruits in a small saucepan. Add a tablespoon of water and cook them over low heat. You have to stir the fruits occasionally until they are tender.
- Puree the mixture using a blender, once the fruits become tender.
Mashed Sweet Potato
Mashed sweet potato is a great source of beta-carotene. Moreover, this can also yield a great colored meal for your baby.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sized sweet potato
- baby’s milk
Steps:
- Boil or steam the medium sized sweet potato until it becomes tender. Once done, drain the water and mash the potato. Make sure that you mashed the potato well.
- To make an appetizing consistency, you may add your baby’s usual milk.
Potato and Spinach Puree
The combination of spinach and potato makes a nourishing meal for your baby. Moreover, this provides vitamin C and beta-carotene to your child.
Ingredients:
- 20 grams spinach
- 1 medium sized potato, quartered
- baby’s milk
Steps:
- Boil the medium sized potato until it becomes tender. While doing this, you can start steaming the spinach over the potato.
- Drain excess water and mash the potato. You can add a little of your baby’s milk in the mashed potato.
- Puree the spinach using a blender and add the potato. You can adjust the consistency of the mixture using boiled, cooled water or your child’s usual milk.
Carrot and Parsnips Puree
This tasty vegetable mixture is actually a good source of beta-carotene for your baby. Parsnips come with natural sweetness that your child may actually love.
Ingredients to prepare:
- 1 parsnips, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- milk formula (optional)
- boiled, cooled water
Steps:
- Steam the vegetables together until they are both tender.
- Once done, you can puree the vegetables using a blender. You may adjust the texture of the puree using boiled, cooled water or your child’s usual milk.