Transitioning your baby to homemade solid foods can be a whole lot of fun — you get to see your child's taste buds and palates develop while having the satisfaction of giving them nourishing food. While it might sadly mark the beginning of the end of nursing, it is also a time to for you to test out different recipes to see what savory and slightly sweet dishes your baby may like that either represent your culture or are just common foods in your home.
Read on for delicious and healthy baby food recipes that progress from basic purees to heartier fare as your child grows.
Introducing solids to baby
Baby Gourmand: Solid food recipes for stages 1, 2, and 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breast milk or formula act as baby's primary source of nutrition until six months, and the earliest that solid — or semi-solid — food can be introduced is four months.
“While the AAP recommends exclusively breastfeeding from birth to age 6 months, it’s important to remember that not every baby is exclusively breastfed,” Alexandria pediatrician Dr. Zulma Laracuente told Care.com. “Also, some babies show signs of readiness to start food earlier than others. You know your baby best.”
Stage 1 recipes
Stage 1 foods are for those 4-6 months olds who are just beginning their food journey. These foods are simple, and are pureed so that babies can easily digest them and so that moms can check for allergies.
Safety note: Before you begin your cooking journey, be sure to maintain a clean cooking area with washed equipment, washed hands, and divided areas for raw and cooked foods.
Avocado Baby Puree
Avocado baby food is a snap to make, and you can use the leftovers to make yourself some killer guacamole — it's a win-win. Take a ripe avocado and mash it up with a fork or use a small blender to create a puree.
Avocados are great for getting your baby the nutrients she needs, which makes it popular with parents. “1/5th of an avocado has only 50 calories but 20 vitamins and minerals!” mom and board certified coach, Anjali, enthused on her blog, the Picky Eater.
Organic Carrot Baby Food
The sweet flavor of cooked carrots makes this vegetable many babies' favorite food from the very beginning. This carrot recipe uses steaming and a blender to puree the soft carrots — no pricey food processor needed.
Homemade Brown Rice Cereal
Homemade brown rice cereal is a satifying meal for your baby. Rice and oatmeal are the perfect choices to feed baby in the very beginning. While introducing grains to your baby, know that it is safe to have them try gluten-based foods.
“There is no evidence that waiting to introduce or limiting allergy-causing foods such as wheat or other gluten-containing grains (e.g., rye or barley) beyond 4 to 6 months of age prevents food allergy or the onset of celiac disease,” Anthony Porto, MD, advised to Healthy Children.
Stage 2 recipes
At six months, things start to get a bit more interesting, food-wise, for babies. They can now handle more complex fruits as well as protein sources like chicken.
