Baby Food

I think I have blended and frozen my last batch of baby food.  My little man is growing up and loves his food.  If he can feed himself he is happier.  For those of you who are just getting started here are some of the guidelines I have followed with feeding my babies.

-The book that I use may have more foods listed but these are the things I felt comfortable with and used-

First foods:
ripe avocado
ripe banana
sweet potatoes (This one did not go over well with the little guys tummy and still doesn't.)
commercial iron fortified single grains cereals: rice, barley, millet or oatmeal
mild fruits cooked and strained: apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, prunes

6 months
homemade grain cereals: brown rice, millet, rolled oats
winter squash
raw mild fruits: papaya, mango, pears

7 months
asparagus
carrots
green beans
peas
summer squash
peaches

8 months
apricot
apple
cantaloupe
honeydew melon
kiwi
plums
watermelon
broccoli

Make sure when you introduce a new food to baby that you only introduce one new food at a time and wait 4 days to introduce another new food.  This should give time for any allergy signs to show.  Also, feeding baby one food too often can create a sensitivity for that food.


Oh the joys of feeding baby!

Super Porridge

This is what the book is all about.  Making your own rice cereal for your baby.  It is super easy and has great health benefits using unrefined whole grains.

Suggested age to introduce: 6 months

Finely blend brown rice.  You want this super fine just let your blender break it down to powder form.  You can go ahead and blend as much rice as you want and store the blended stuff in your refrigerator/freezer in a tightly closed glass jar for up to a month.

Bring one cup of water to a boil on the stove top.  When it starts to boil turn the heat down to low and gradually sprinkle 1/4 cup of ground brown rice while whisking.  Cover the pot and keep it on low for about 10 minutes.  Stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning.

See it's that easy.  Depending on your babies age will make a difference in a few things- the consistency- and how much they eat.  Adjust to meet your needs.  You can store extra cooked cereal in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for 2-4 weeks.  Make it easier on yourself and store in individual servings.

Other whole grain homemade cereals you can make are: millet,barley,oatmeal, quinoa, etc. and mixed with an equally blended bean provides a super protein.