Before you reach for that tin of baby food at the supermarket, think for a moment. Packed and processed baby foods contain preservatives and additives. This is essential for a long shelf life. Wouldn’t it be great if you could make your baby’s food at home? It does not take a qualified chef to make baby meals. They are quite simple. You are sure to have all the required ingredients and instruments in your kitchen. Baby’s foods do not involve precise measurements. There is no ½ cup of this, ¼ cup of that and a dash of salt involved. Yes, making baby food is easy and it is healthy and safe too.

By making your baby’s meals at home you will be able to choose the best quality ingredients and avoid those that your baby is allergic to. You will also be able to adjust the texture and consistency of the foods as per your baby’s taste. If you do not know what foods to give your baby and how to make it, here are a few tips.

• AVOCADOS – Avocado is a perfect first food for your baby. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and a lot more. Avocado meals are easy to prepare because there is no cooking involved. Just scoop the buttery, fleshy part of the fruit and mince with a fork. You can combine avocados with pureed apples or pears or mashed bananas. Avocados can also be combined with peaches, pumpkin, mangoes and even cream.

• BANANA – They are also simple to prepare and easy on baby’s tiny tummy. Just peel a banana, slice and mince few slices with a fork. You get a creamy pudding like mixture which can be offered to your baby as it is or in combination with pumpkin or apple sauce or cereals like oatmeal and rice.

• SQUASH – Squash includes butternut, acorn and Hubbard squash. The best way to cook squash is to bake or roast it. Cut the squash and place it in a baking tray filled with 1-2 inches of water with the meaty side down. Bake for 40 minutes at around 400 degrees F. The baked squash can be then mashed with a fork or using a baby food blender or processor or food mill. Squash can also be combined with apple puree, rice, potato, lentil, peaches and pears.

• APPLE – This is also a good food to offer your baby. Simply peel and steam apple or bake it and then blend to make apple sauce. You can offer your baby apple sauce alone or in combination with rice cereal, oatmeal, and other fruits like peaches and pears.

• PUMPKIN – Like squash pumpkin can be cooked by baking. You can also boil or steam pumpkin if you wish. Baking is the best option because it retains maximum nutritive value. Cooked pumpkin can be blended to puree or combined with apple, pear, peaches or bananas.

• SWEET POTATO – A sweet potato is full of nutrients and fiber and is a great baby food. They can be baked, boiled or steamed and then pureed. Combine sweet potatoes with butternut squash or apple or peaches.

• CEREAL – You can offer your baby porridge made from cereals like rice, oatmeal, barley and millet.

By now you may have acquired a fair idea on how to prepare food for your baby. Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby, especially meats and chicken. Another point to remember is to wait for a week after introducing a new food to your baby’s diet. This will help you detect any allergies or digestive problems. All utensils and tools should be clean and sterile. Modify the texture and consistency of the foods as per your baby’s needs. You can use breast milk or formula milk or water left after steaming as thinners. To attain a thicker consistency, use wheat germ, cooked egg yolks or mashed potato.

Remember, nothing beats the goodness of homemade baby food. No company in the world will put in the love and care that you do while preparing your baby’s meals.

Mark Perry

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