Making up your own baby food will offer both you and your little one several benefits, and it is actually fairly simple to do. Most of the time, it’s just a matter of pureeing the food you’re already preparing for the rest of the family, so long as it doesn’t contain any salt, sugar, or honey.

What are the benefits of homemade baby food?

The food you make can last in the freezer for up to 3 months, so you’ll save a good amount of money.
By feeding your baby the foods you also eat, you’re introducing them to new tastes and textures and exposing them to the foods your family likes to eat.
You will also know exactly what it is they’re eating and that it’s free of potentially unhealthy additives and preservatives.

You can use fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients to ensure the food is as nutritious as possible.

So, the benefits are fairly substantial! But will you need to get hold of any expensive equipment to create these baby-friendly dishes?

What will I need to make homemade baby food?

When it comes to equipment, ideally you’ll own some kind of blender or food processor, but you can often get by by simply mashing softer foods with the back of a fork or shredding them with a grater.

So, how do I make baby food?

In general, so long as the food you initially offer your baby is pureed and smooth or chopped up into very small and soft chunks that melt in the mouth and require no chewing, you can’t really go wrong. However, we do have a few more tips for preparation that it’s worth taking note of.

Making a puree Place your chosen food or foods in a blender or processor and blend until it’s a smooth consistency. Once that’s done, pour the food into a sieve so as to catch any larger pieces that might otherwise cause your baby to choke, and then you’re ready to go. Baby food can be served cold, at room temperature, or warm. You can also pop the prepared food in a freezer-safe container, ready to be thawed and eaten another day.

Fruit and vegetable preparation First of all, make sure to always thoroughly wash all fruit and vegetables to get rid of any dirt or pesticides. Now that they’re washed, steam or boil your vegetables so they're soft and mushy, then, using the back of a fork or your blender, make up a smooth fruity mixture. Some fruits are already soft enough for processing or blending, such as bananas and avocados, and won't require steaming or boiling. Once your baby is a little older and chewing their foods, and they’re able to pick up the food set before them, you need only chop fruit and vegetables into small pieces and boil them till soft.

Using canned and frozen foods. Most canned and frozen goods still make for perfectly good options. Just make sure to thaw frozen foods in the fridge or in a bowl of hot water before processing, and choose canned goods that don’t have any added sugar or salt.

Adding a little flavour Initially, you’ll want to serve your baby foods that haven’t had any added spices or flavouring. But once they’re used to their solid foods, you can add a little sprinkling of cumin, garlic, cinnamon, or nutmeg here and there. Just be sure not to add any sugar or salt.

Just be very careful to avoid anything that might pose a choking hazard, including nuts, hard foods, and sticky foods.

How do I make baby food at home?

Unii shares homemade baby food ideas from our Baby Nutrition Journey.