You Can Make Baby's Solid Foods -
It's Easy, Fun, and Saves You Money!

When Joshua was getting ready to start solid foods, I panicked just a little.

I had been exclusively breastfeeding up to that point, and it was working out great!

I loved the convenience, nourishment, and price of my milk (FREE - can't beat that!).

Of course, I knew that Joshua couldn't live on milk forever...that's just not normal! So, I started checking the prices on jars of solid foods.

Ok, that's when I really panicked.

I knew I wanted to give him organic foods, to minimize his exposure to toxins and pesticides.

But, organic baby food was ridiculously expensive! $0.80-$1.50 per jar would add up very quickly.

After seeing the tiny jars of peas, carrots, peaches, pears, and prunes, I started to think...

I can cook and puree those myself! And, I bet I can do it with organic ingredients, for a cheaper price!

I can keep track of the ingredients, the preparation, the storage, and the serving size of each meal.

I just needed a little guidance in my cooking and storage techniques - a little push in the right direction.

So, I started asking friends about their baby's solid foods.

My friend Amber recommended a book, Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.

She raved about the book's detailed instructions, feeding schedules, and nutritious family-friendly recipes.

I made the purchase, and it was a good one! This book is wonderful.

Among other things, Ruth's book taught me how...

~ to prepare my kitchen to make healthy baby food,

~ to cook the fresh produce to the right temperature (usually just fork tender),

~ to use the vitamin rich cooking liquids to blend foods to the right consistency,

~ to introduce new foods properly during the first year,

~ and to store, freeze, and thaw solid foods while retaining their nutrition (preferably in BPA free ice cube or baby food trays).

She also shows you how to make toddler (and grown-up) recipes, baby-safe homemade cleaning products, and homemade arts and crafts.

If you are serious about making your baby's solid foods, it's a great book to have.

But, I do have a little disagreement with the book - let me give some background information first...

Ruth Yaron lists the foods you should introduce to you baby each month - specifically in months 6-11.

She also describes a 4-day-wait-rule - it teaches you to wait 4 days before introducing a new food. The rule is designed to help you pinpoint any food allergies.

She also gives guidelines for the amount of water your baby should be drinking. And, she gives feeding schedules to stick to each month.

Yes - this is all helpful information!

But, her feeding and drinking schedule was too intense for my son (and other babies we know).

The problem is, that Ruth gives a sizable list of new foods to introduce each month. And, usually the list is too long to use with the 4-day-wait-rule. It's just impossible to introduce all the new solid foods she recommends (and some of the foods are kinda strange).

Also, my son, and my friend's son, couldn't handle all the food and water she recommended each day. It was just too much for their little tummies to hold.

For example, here's her 6 Month Feeding Schedule -

Of course - every baby is different. Ruth's suggestions might be perfect for your child.

But, don't feel bad if you can't stick with the Super Baby Food feeding schedule.

Your child is unique. You will quickly learn how much solid food your baby can handle - which will constantly change as they grow.

Overall, the book is an excellent guide, along with the guidance of your pediatrician. I have recommended it to so many friends!

You can also check out WholesomeBabyFood.com, for more information on solid foods.

Here are some baby food tips for beginners...

What Are The Best Solid Foods To Start With?

~ Ripe Avocado
~ Ripe Banana
~ Sweet Potatoes

And, mild fruits that have been cooked and strained, like:

~ Apricots
~ Nectarines
~ Peaches
~ Pears
~ Plums/Prunes

Also, it's best to start with a commercial iron-fortified single-grain infant cereal. They are smoother in consistency, are easier to digest, and mix better with breast milk or formula. I recommend "Happy Bellies" by Happy Baby.

Happy Bellies organic cereals have DHA (for brain and eye health) and probiotics (for immunity support). They come in brown rice, oatmeal, and multi-grain varieties.

After your baby reaches 6 months, her digestive system will produce the enzymes necessary to break down homemade wholegrain cereals. Brown rice is best to start with.

Ruth gives detailed instructions in the Super Baby Food book for preparing your own cereals - it is so easy!

When I was making Joshua's first foods, I froze the purees in ice cube trays. Then, once the cubes were frozen, I popped them out and stored them in bags in the freezer. Each cube was roughly one ounce.

On our way out of the house, I would place a few different cubes in a little container with some cereal.

They thawed perfectly in the diaper bag, and were ready by meal time. I would also thaw them in a warm pan on the stove, or in the microwave for 20 seconds (never microwave plastic - it leaches toxins into the food).

Get involved in making your baby's solid foods - it's cheaper, it's more nutritious, and it's pretty fun!

If you find that you just can NOT make your own baby food, don't feel bad!

There are lots of prepared organic options out there, like: Earth's Best, Happy Baby, Plum Organics, and our favorite - Yobaby Organic Whole Milk Yogurt by Stonyfield Farms.

I must admit...I eat the YoBaby Yogurt too - yum! :o)

Enjoy this time with your baby, as you build a solid foundation in health and nutrition.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you.

God bless you and yours.

Return to New Parents from Solid Foods

Return to Home Page From Solid Foods