SuperMom Lite: homemade baby food

So here's the scoop:  Between Evyn and Ashlyn, I have experienced several disappointing attempts at being SuperMom.  Take breastfeeding - with Evyn, oh the pain!  It was an awful mess that lasted five weeks until the nurse practicioner finally gave me permission to quit (she was gracious enough to see that I needed someone to actually give me permission).  I cried for several days about it, as I had bought into the idea that I was somehow less of a mom if I resorted to bottle-feeding.  But I eventually made peace with it, telling myself there was always baby number two.  Then she came along.  And I suffered the same exact setbacks as the first.  This time I was more mature about the decision to quit, but I didn't do so without first beating myself up a bit (what self-described perfectionist doesn't flog herself regularly?).  Then there was the cloth diaper experiment.  I wanted to cloth diaper Ashlyn.  I bought all of the gear for it, was even given some of the cutest little handmade diapers from my cousins.  I was ready, willing and able.  And doing pretty well with it.  Until my postpartum meltdown, at which point the whole process went out the window.

Since the meltdown, I try very hard to stick to realistic goals and projects for myself.  I haven't quit wanting to challenge myself as a mom.  But I know when to quit while I'm ahead, and not let a failed attempt at something mean more than it really is.  Let's call it SuperMom Lite.

One thing I've found very satisfying and easy to do with both my girls is make their baby food - something my mom did for me as a baby, and she was happy to introduce me to when Evyn turned six months old.  A perfect SuperMom Lite project. 

Four weeks' worth of food takes about as much work as making dinner for company one night.  It's cheaper than the jars, and it's not complicated. In fact, here is the most difficult part of the entire process for me: figuring out how to get the food processor back into the box (um, yeah, I actually put it back in the box. Every time).

There are a few ways to go about homemade baby food.  But I find making a bunch in advance and freezing it is the easiest for our family.  Here's how:

Needed:

• Ice cube trays (the dollar trays or these nifty ones from Fresh Baby - I use both)

• Steamer basket (only certain foods will need to be steamed)

• Food Processor

• Veggies and fruits of choice (here are some guidelines for food by age)

How To: 

1. Prep veggies and fruits as necessary (i.e. peel and cube sweet potatoes, dice pears, chop carrots)

2. Steam if needed (fresh fruit generally doesn't need it and frozen vegetables can be microwaved). While one food group is steaming, start prepping the next group.  This is also a good time to rinse out the food processor if you've already made a batch of something.

3. Throw in the food processor and puree.  If the blend is too thick, add a little of the steam-water until you reach the desired consistency.

4. Pour into the trays.  I use a silicon spatula to spread the mixture evenly.

5. Freeze.  Depending on the food itself, the cubes will be ready in about four hours.  Pop into freezer storage bags, label, and toss into the freezer.

Some notes:

One cube = approx. 1 ounce

I make 1-2 pounds of each food at a time and do about 4 different foods in a cooking session.  This takes about 2 hours.

I started with sweet potatoes, broccoli, green beans, baby carrots, and squash.  I have also done peaches, pears and applesauce.

On the road I have used jar food, and once at family's house I used their Magic Bullet to mash up whatever food was appropriate and available.

Start slowly.  I started Ashlyn on rice cereal and tried solids within a week.  She flat out refused.  She just wasn't ready.  I picked it up again three weeks later and it was smooth sailing.

Don't quit a food entirely just because your baby doesn't like it at first.  Everything takes getting used to.  Ashlyn loved the broccoli right away but it took four tries to get her used to the green beans.  And now she eats it all like a champ.

Nitrates: I have done a little research on this and have concluded that, more importantly than worrying about nitrates in specific foods is testing private wells and paying attention to the age you start your baby on solids (nationally recognized associations recommend delaying to six months).   

Comments

[anna]

you can also use the baby jars that you get from purchasing organic baby food. I have a huge stash of those, and I feel better keeping the food in glass containers, though those baby food ice trays look really good, too!

[Chloe Mee]

I have loved weaning my children and have done the own food thing myself everytime.
Like you I struggled to breast feed and for me I think thats why I out so much effort into the weaning and food making.
Its very satisfying to see your baby eat mush that you've made yourself.

Another good tip for freezing food is to use washed out yoghurt pots. Especially when they start having larger portions.

[Heather]

Holy Cow! You go girl! I am back at catching up with blogging...I've been out of computer land for a few day!
Heather

[vanessa]

Wow! I think you deserve the title SUPER MOM! That is so great that you make their food. I tried a few times but was just to lazy and didn't have the processor.
I had the same thing happen with the breastfeeding thing too. My 1st was two weeks, the 2nd was three months and finally with the 3rd I went 18 months! I never dreamed I would go that long but he had his own plan.

[Adrienne]

I had a similar experience trying to nurse except it took me months to get over it. By the time my 2nd came along thankfully I had regained my composure and was ready (to not nurse in my case). The baby food tips are so great!

[celia]

Oh, that's another way to make it, lol... I only freeze the whole thing in a small tupper ware and then I take it out when it's needed. My kids used to eat a whole bowl each one.
I have always noticed also that the more hot the vegetables are; the best they become a puree. That why I always make a soup like for me and when it's done I only put it in the food processor and that's it!
Oh my God, I don't even know why I am telling you all this, lol... Forgive me! I just love d that part of the feeding process, lol... (I never could breast feeding my babies so maybe I have this trauma, lol...)

[The NON-Superwoman]

I hardly know anyone who makes homemade baby food! Yay to hear that you do the same :-) My second loves the homemade baby food! I'm experimenting with every thing and love that a little prep goes a long way!