Making homemade body food can be added to the list of things I didn’t know I would do once I had a baby. I never thought I would want to prep homemade baby food.

Well, scratch that. I never really thought about what would happen when we got to solids. I mean I tinkered with the thought once or twice but then would quickly doubted myself especially since my spiritual gifts don’t lie in the kitchen.

Instead my mind was so filled with thoughts about getting his room ready, how our life would change, or how scared I was to be responsible for a human being! I mean really, there is so much to think about!

Well, now that he’s here I’m able to calm down a little and take each step as it comes.

Okay, wait! Who am I kidding? As I re-read that I realize it sounds so peaceful. Don’t be misled by that. I should rephrase that as I strive to calm down and take each step as it comes. After all I have found that it is so true that they really feed off your emotions.

I work on trying to relax daily because life is really more fun that way..right?! How does the song go, “He’s still working on me to make me what I oughta be…” My life anthem.

Like I said I hadn’t planned to make homemade baby food. But, once the time started nearing for Foster to embark on his food adventure I just knew that I wanted to make it.

Why I Decided to Make Homemade Baby Food

Up until this point his only food supply came from me, so I felt responsible to provide his next form of nourishment…solids! I also felt like this way I would know what was in the food I was giving me son. Plus and a huge plus for me and my family, it was a good deal cheaper to make it.

The decision was made. I was going to make baby food. Now what?!

My Favorite Homemade Baby Food Recipes

When researching homemade baby food I quickly found  Wholesome Baby Food and I was hooked!

I was very impressed with this site. It walked me through the different stages of eating (p.s. new thing for me…there are stages?! good to know). There was also information about baby led weening which is another path I’ve thought about going down.

I looked at the appropriate foods for Foster’s stage, 6 months. The first food I chose to make was sweet potatoes.

After some research and listening to friends I decided to skip the cereal all together. I don’t think it’s bad at all. I just wanted to get right to the good stuff. Plus I love sweet potatoes and I was excited to share their deliciousness with my son.

*All recipes are from Wholesome Baby Food. *

Homemade Sweet Potato Baby Food

Before making them I checked out Wholesome Baby to see what was the best way to prepare them. It was fairly simple.

Step 1: Wash and poke holes in sweet potato with fork then wrap sweet potatoes in tin foil – do not peel for baking/microwaving. (you can also do this in the microwave – only use plastic wrap and cook for 8 minutes on high or until tender)

Step 2: Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes or until soft.

OR

Step 3: Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small chunks

Step 4: Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato

Step 5: “Steam” boil until tender, be sure to check on the water level.

Step 6: Reserve any left over water (or use breastmilk) to use for thinning out the sweet potatoes

Step 7: If you have baked your sweet potato, remove skins and use liquid from your preferred source

Step 8: Place sweet potato into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.

Step 9: Add the reserved water or other liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

I thought to myself ,”I can totally do this” and folks I’m happy to report that I did! I did it! (this joy was short lived click here to see what I discovered).

I not only did it but Foster loved them! I mean maybe love is a strong word but he didn’t make a horrible face and immediately spit them out, so that’s love in my book. He even opened his mouth when he was finished with what was in his mouth letting us know that our baby bird was ready for the next bite. It was so much fun to see him experience his first food and thus began a huge world of goodness… all that is food.

High on sweet potatoes success we moved onto the next food we were going to try…carrots! There is really no research behind why I chose carrots. I think I just thought it sounded good and it was orange like sweet potatoes. Maybe I was subconsciously going with a color scheme?!

Homemade Carrot Baby Food

Who knows but regardless the carrots came. Once again prep was pretty simple and a identical to sweet potato.

Step 1: Peel carrots and cut into small chunks

Step 2: Place chunks into a steamer pan with just enough water visible through the steamer basket

Step 3: Steam until tender

Step 4: Do not reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the carrots if baby is under 8 months old as Nitrates may seep into the cooking water

Step 5: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.

Step 6: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency.

Folks let me just tell you that he for real LOVED the carrots! There was no doubting his love for this vegetable. With the first bite he was hooked. He kept all of it in his mouth and would grunt/cough for more as soon as he had made room in his little gullet. Once again I felt a twinge of mommy pride that my son liked food that I made for him. This may seem silly but I feel the need to add the fact that I AM NOT, I repeat am no naturally gifted in any sort of culinary arts, so this was a big deal for me. Good news is Foster was a huge fan but sad news followed…

Constipated After Introducing Homemade Baby Food

On day five of eating solids I had noticed he had not pooped. Then I observed an even sadder site. His little face was so red trying to give himself a little relief but the relief just wasn’t coming.

He was constipated. Something I dreaded and hoped would not happen. This is part of the reason I skipped cereal because I heard it can constipate babies. But, my attempts to avoid it failed. My little man looked miserable and all I wanted to do is help him. So, back to the internet for advice.

Constipation Relief for Babies

I found that a lot of people recommended pears to help out with our little problem. I had planned to introduce avocado next but I heard that can cause constipation too (good Lord, enough with the constipation). So, naturally I went to the grocery and got the best looking pears I could find.

Pear Homemade Baby Food

During Foster’s nap I prepared them similar to carrots and sweet potatoes mentioned above.

Step 1: Peel and cut into chunks so as to avoid the little seed portion.

Step 2: Steam gently until tender;

Step 3: Place in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth. You may be able to just use a fork too.

Step 4: Use the leftover cooking water if needed but Pears tend to be very runny and watery without adding liquid – Add some baby cereal to thicken if needed.

When he woke up I had a nice little portion all ready for him. I was pretty sure he would take to them quickly since it was his first fruit and I was so hopeful that they would alleviate his pain.

Well, bad news bears…he couldn’t stand them. First food he made a sour face at and promptly spit them all out. Nooooo, this was my solution to his poop problem and he was spitting it out. I tried to reason with him but he wouldn’t listen (shouldn’t 6 months old be able to reason? I kid, I do know at least that much.) So, there we were pears everywhere and my little boy was still constipated.

I Bought Prune Baby Food

I ended up calling the pediatrician for guidance. The nurse I spoke with recommended prunes. Soon, I went out and bought them. At this point I was panicked and just wanted a solution immediately, so I didn’t take the time to make them.

You can probably predict what happened next. He didn’t like them. As soon as I put a spoonful in his math he blew them back out. Yup, blew them out. Prunes all over the place. Again, if he only knew I was trying to help him not disgust him. But I’m going to persevere hoping at least enough to help him out stayed in his mouth.

Finally Constipation Relief

This is not a fun solution but it worked. I ended up sticking a thermometer up his little booty and within an hour he was about to poop. I’ve never been so happy to have a blow out diaper!

Next, I plan to move onto butternut squash.

Follow me on Pinterest for other baby food recipes and baby led weening ideas!