Any parent knows that while one store-bought jar of baby food isn’t so costly, it’s how much your baby goes through that makes it expensive. And, frankly, how healthy are some of the toddler food purees on store shelves after all?

If you’re looking for a fresher, healthier, and more cost-effective way to feed your baby, it’s time to consider making your own baby food at home. Here are some things you should know first:

Picking an Appliance

One of the first things to consider when deciding to make homemade baby food is which appliance you’re going to use to get the job done.

Some people may use a simple kitchen blender to puree their baby’s food. Others may lean towards a food processor. Then there are special appliances out there specifically to make baby food with. This all comes down to your preferences, budget, and the types of foods you plan on using to make the toddler food.

Food Prep

The next step is learning how to properly prep food prior to pureeing it for your baby to consume. Not only does this involve properly washing fruits and vegetables, but the prep process involves more than that.

Something to consider is how long to boil or steam any vegetables you might be using in your homemade baby food. Cooking it through will be critical to ensure it will have a soft enough texture to turn into a puree. And of course, if you will be working with meat, you’ll want to keep these separate from other ingredients and properly cook it through before pureeing it.

Storage Options

Once you make a batch of food for your baby, you must think about what you’re going to store the food in. There are both disposable and reusable options. From freezer trays, to silicone or plastic containers, to squeezable pouches, there are many options at hand.

Shelf Life

One of the most critical parts of the baby food-making process is learning how long your homemade toddler food will last when properly stored. According to FoodSafety.gov, homemade toddler food lasts roughly one or two days in the refrigerator or one to two months in the freezer.

How to Serve

The last main thing to know about making your own baby food is how to serve it once it’s been stored.

For refrigerated fruits and/or vegetable purees, these can be served cold or heated up in the microwave in a separate dish for about 15 seconds per four ounces of puree. Let it sit for about 30 seconds before taste-testing it yourself. It should be lukewarm before serving your baby. Meat purees should be heated up on the stovetop.

For food safety purposes, it isn’t recommended to save portions of baby food that have already been partially consumed directly. Not to mention, reheating food more than once can cause bacteria to grow.

Conclusion

Are you looking for a way to save money while feeling your baby the top of the line? Making your own homemade baby food might just be the best solution. You’ll quickly find that the process isn’t so complicated or long after all.

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