homemade baby food

[DrLilac]

Thanks Kara!

What kind of blender are you guys using?

I have the Beaba babycook but it Only makes small batches so I'm returning it and getting a blender or food processor. But I'm confused on what brand to get. Help!

[*Kara*]

I use a Magic Bullet

[DrLilac]

Is the container big enough to make batches?

[*Kara*]

For as much as Alexandra can eat, yes.  I use the tall cups and it can make enough for an entire ice cube tray

[~inbalance~]

You can get a hand blender as well which makes large batches, but it doesn't take up a lot of space and it's less costly than a large food processor.  You can also control the consistency of purees really easily with a hand blender.  Something like this:  http://www.cuisinart.com/products/hand_blenders/csb-76.html

[*Kara*]

Good point Martina!  I have one of those ready for lumpy textures

[LittleLegs]

Hi

I use standard ice cube trays and then put in labelled freezer bags once frozen.  I do loads of different fruit and vegetables so I can try LO with a variety of different mixtures he's on 4 ice cubes at the moment, even a cube of pureed chicken.  I have used full fat milk before freezing for things like mashed potato since he's been 6 months.

My LO has loved sweet potato and butternut squash with apple and pair combinations.  He loves mashed potato too and you can buy baby gravy in supermarkets so I freeze cubes of that too.

[*Kara*]

I had horrible luck with freezing white potato - how did you do it LittleLegs?  Did you use russet potatoes or white/red?

[LittleLegs]

We just used large jersey new potatoes which were the only potatoes we had in at the time of doing a massive batch of cooking, obviously peeled etc prior to cooking.  Odd potato to use but worked out ok and he seemed to love it.  I mashed them with the masher attachment that came with our Kenwood blender and added full fat milk so perfectly smooth.  You can't puree them because it turns really sticky.  Then immediately put in an ice cube tray and froze when cool.  Came out perfectly.

[DrLilac]

Thanks for all your inputs guys this is our second week of non rice cereal solids

She's already eaten sweet potato, avocado, banana and now carrots after that butternut squash. When did you guys end the 3-4 day rule?

So it's ok to add whole milk before freezing? My hubby and I are lactose intolerant and my baby is on similar sensitive so will that be ok?

[~inbalance~]

Lactose intolerance (inability to digest the sugar in milk) is generally more of a problem with adults, but babies and adults alike can be intolerant the milk proteins in dairy.  So if you think your LO has a milk protein intolerance then I would avoid using milk in the baby food.

I think we stopped the 3 day rule with DS1 around 7mos.  If there are no known food intolerances and she seems to be doing well with all types of food, I think you can start to relax with food introduction after 6mos.  Be aware though that it becomes harder to figure out problematic foods if there is a reaction, but keeping a food log can help.

[DrLilac]

Thanks Martina

So for the next 2 months I'm just planning on introducing fruits and vegetables.

When did you guys start giving food with texture?

I get scared with Ava coz sometimes she even chokes on her own saliva

[*Kara*]

I have found that some food gets lumpy after being frozen ( ie butternut squash) and Alexandra is fine with it... she makes a weird face,  but still eats it   She gags on her own spit too

[DrLilac]

Thanks Kara...So how did you progressed from puree to a more textured food?

[*Kara*]

I am still trying on a regular basis with little luck!  She isn't a fan of lumps yet!  I have some things that I mash with a fork instead of using the blender... and I also have tiny pasta meant for soups that I can add to give anything a bit of texture.