Process of preparing solids for infant?

Question

Hi
I was owndering if someone could explain the process of preparing solid food for babies. For example, Apple
Do i boil or steam it ?
Do I remove the skin ?
Can I use a hand blender to mash it?
What is the portion size for a 6 month old ?
I heard organic veggies and fruits are the best to introduce- Whole foods is about 25 miles from my place. I can't imagine driving their every weekend for groceries but I will if it is good for my baby.

What other fruits or veggies can I include in stages?

Many thanks
A new and confused Mom - so bear with me !

Answer 1

I just started making my own baby food. I haven't gotten to apples yet, but I have made sweet potatoes, carrots, and prunes.

For sweet potatoes I found a product called sweet potato fries at Costco. They're just sweet potatoes that are peeled and cut into fry shapes, no other ingredients. I steamed them for about 30 minutes, then used a stick blender http://www.lnt.com/sm-braun-multi-quick-stick-blenders--pi-1362736.html to puree it. I used the left over liquid from steaming them to thing them out.

For carrots, I steamed them for about 45 minutes, then pureed them using the stick blender. I didn't use the left over steam water to thin them because I read that nitrates my leach into the water during carrot steaming so I just used regular water to thin them.

For prunes, I bought a bag of prunes that didn't have any preservatives. Then I steamed them for about 10 minutes and pureed them using the stick blender.

We're going to get to apples soon, then peaches, pears, green beans, peas, butternut squash, and bananas.

I've read that frozen vegetables can be really good for making homemade baby food because they are frozen right after being picked, instead of being transported around and sitting on store shelves which can cause nutrients to go out of them.

Here's a link for when I asked for advice making baby food. There's some really good tips that people gave me on thinner and thickeners. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Agt0odpHOB9wnLgdMzzxl67ty6IX?qid=20070120124908AAAbCFt

Lastly, here's a product that I found on eBay that I think is superior to using ice trays for freezing and serving baby food. These allow you to individually package your own baby food similar to Gerber. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110109874245&rd=1&rd=1

Answer 2

Applesauce: peel skin, cut into small pieces. Boil till soft. Puree in blender. Storage: fridge, up to 24hrs, Freezer: up to 1month.
Banana: add water and blend. use immediately cause it will change color.
U can try other fruits like peach and pear.
U can mix the fruits in the cereal.
Not recommended: orange and tomatoes until 8months.
Size portion: depend on your baby appetite. 1/3 cup?
4 to 6months: rice cereal only
6months: barley cereal, oat cereal, applesauce, bananas, pears, peaches, peas, carrots, green beans, sweet potato, squash.
7-8M: chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, avocado, egg yolk
9M: yogurt(whole milk), cheese(swiss,cheddar), pasta, beans, tofu.
Until 7months, food needs to be pureed/strained.
Better to introduce new food one by one. Feed same food for 3 days and see if there's any reaction.
Start with not so sweet food to prevent rejection on those food later on.
Organic is good yeah.. but expensive. Unless more people buy it then the price will drop.

Answer 3

There's a lot of info here on preparing baby food, just wanted to add that the easiest way to store homemade baby food is to pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Then transfer cubes into freezer bags. Just warm the number of cubes baby needs at each feeding. Typically 2-3 cubes makes a nice baby portion.

Answer 4

I would always get the gerber baby fruits and food....yeah they can eat anything as long as there isnt big chunks...also make sure to peel any fruit before giving it to the baby and yes you can use a food smasher so that the baby wont choke...dont worry, i have been a mom for 2 years now and i am used to it....you'll have fun with introducing your baby to new foods...good luck!