Baby Food
It’s a fun time when you choose to introduce solid food to your baby.
** Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.
You probably know this already, but a rule of thumb is to only introduce one new food every 3 days so you can spot when a particular food causes an adverse reaction in your baby.
First foods are pureed foods. There are many types of fruits and vegetables suitable for first foods. You can freeze these foods in an ice-cube tray as these are best suited portions.
After steaming, baking or boiling your fruits and vegetables, leave to cool slightly before blending them to a puree. Add extra liquid to get a nice consistency (breast milk, formula or plain yoghurt).
Once the puree has cooled down completely, place spoonfuls into ice cube trays. Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the tray and freeze. Once portions are frozen, transfer to freezer bags and label the bags with the date and type of food. These should be used within one month of freezing. When it is time to use the cube, simply thaw and reheat. Add additional liquid if desired.
Stage 2 foods are slightly thicker, and may be mashed with a fork or a potato masher.
Stage 3 foods are more textured yet still soft. These foods may be cut into small chunks.
“Use refrigerated foods within 48 hours if you do not intend to freeze. If you do make small batches and store in the refrigerator, please keep in mind that you should not feed your baby from the container and then re-store. Saliva may contaminate the food and bacteria may evolve. Always take the portions you will serve from the container and transfer to a feeding bowl”
Note: It takes a while for baby to become accustomed to a particular taste of food. If he/she is not particularly keen on something today, he/she may enjoy it tomorrow.
All babies vary when it comes to amount. Some will only eat a teaspoonful; others may eat a tablespoon full of food.
First Foods (4 to 6 months):
Rice Cereal (whole grain if possible)
If you choose to make your own, simply blend up some brown rice in a blender to a fine powder. Add ¼ cup powder to 1 cup water. Bring to boil, stirring. Simmer for 10 minutes stirring constantly. Add breast milk or formula if desired.
Banana
Peel a ripe banana
Place in blender and puree (or use a fork if preferred, ensuring there are no lumps)
Add breast milk / formula if needed to thin the consistency.
Avocado
Peel ripe avo and remove pit
Mash with a fork, ensuring there are no lumps
Add breast milk / formula if needed to thin the consistency.
Pears
Peel and cut into chunks, discarding the seed part
Steam, boil or bake until tender
Place in blender and puree
Add cereal to thicken if needed.
Apples
3 red apples, peel and cut into chunks, discarding the core
Place in saucepan with ½ cup water & pinch of cinnamon if desired
Simmer until apples are tender (approx 10 minutes)
Puree until smooth
Freeze small portions
(Apples may be steamed or baked too)
Peaches
3 medium sized ripe peaches, cut in half and pit removed
Place fruit flesh side down & add ½ cup water
Simmer until tender (approx 10 minutes)
Once cool, remove and discard skin
Puree until smooth
(Peaches may be steamed or baked too)
Peas
Organic Frozen peas
Place peas in steamer or in a colander over a pot of boiling water & cover
Steam for 6 – 7 minutes
Puree until completely smooth, adding water to thin if desired
Green Beans
Fresh green beans, trimmed and washed
Place beans in steamer or in a colander over a pot of boiling water & cover
Steam for 8 minutes, or until tender
Puree until completely smooth, adding water to thin if desired
Squash (Hubbard, Acorn or Butternut)
Cut squash in half, scoop out seeds
Place in an inch of water in a baking tray
Bake at 180’C for 40 minutes, or until tender
Scoop squash out of shell
Puree until smooth
(Squash may be steamed or boiled too)
Sweet potato
May be baked, boiled or steamed
Puree until smooth, adding water to thin if desired
A pinch of cinnamon may be added if preferred
Once these foods have been individually introduced, you may combine some together, e.g. Squash & sweet potato / Squash & Pear / Banana & Pear / Rice cereal and apples, etc.
Good luck, and your baby.
(Coming soon….Stage 2 foods)
