What is the best way to prepare and store home made baby food?

Question

I always cook too much, and I don't know if I can freeze it or not. What do some other moms do? Also, do you mash it first, then cook it, or cook it first then mash it?

Answer 1

I highly recommend the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. It has recipes for making each food, which foods need to be cooked and strained or left raw, recommendations on ages for each food, and other helpful information about feeding strategies and baby's nurtitional needs. Definately cook then mash/puree. I always saved a baby food jar to use as a measuring cup and put a jar's worth of food in those small (4 oz) Gladware containers before I froze them. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The most important thing about homemade baby food is keeping it clean and sanitary! When I made it I always cooked and then mashed because that was the only way to get a truly smooth puree. You also want to avoid overcooking since the nutrients can degrade. Freezing is an excellent way to store it but try to freeze it in small containers so that you can thaw out just enough for one meal at a time. I know that some mothers put their purees in ice cube trays to make handy little thawable portions.

All in all I never used commercial baby food that much since my babies started to experiment with what we were having at dinner by the sixth month. Just got out my food chopper and smashed some up for them.

Answer 3

I cook it first then mash it and separate it into little containers, then freeze it, its the most easiest

Answer 4

I always cook it first, because it is easier to mash it after you cook it. You can store them in icecub trays and later you can put them in small plastic bags, and keep them in your freezer. Everytime you can take out as many you like and keep the bag under hot water until it warms up.. Good luck ;)

Answer 5

Well, depends. Whether your kid will eat it after you freeze it. Mine can taste the difference. It' always has to be freshly prepared and mashed on the spot.

Othewise, refuse to eat it.

Answer 6

cvook it first,mash and store in air tight containers,then freeze or refrigerate

Answer 7

Here's a cool site http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/
Have fun! Can't wait to finally make babyfood whenever I have another baby! I bought a magic bullet blender-other moms have told me that works great!