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Community Corner

Make Your Own Baby Food

Hidden expenses are everywhere when you first have a baby. Why not save on baby food and make your own?

New parents sometimes have difficulty anticipating the cost of raising a child or two—or more. Having my first baby was a shocker; there are hidden expenses everywhere you turn.

You don't need the finest baby gear money can buy, but you do need to feed your baby, and prepackaged baby food isn't cheap. Plus, have you ever tasted jarred baby food? Don't—it's awful.

There is a cheaper, tastier and more importantly, healthier way to feed your growing bundle of joy: make your own food. Making your own baby food costs less, and you will have peace of mind knowing exactly what is in the food you baby eats.

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The idea of making baby food may sound like a daunting task, but in reality, it is much easier than you think. There is no need to buy a $150 specialty baby food-making appliance. Chances are you already have what you need in your kitchen—and since you probably already bake, boil or steam food, you are halfway there.

If you already own a blender or a food processor, then you're set. If you don't already own a blending gadget, that's OK. I happen to think a fork works just fine. But if you are really dying to buy something, you can purchase an inexpensive, hand-cranked baby food mill that costs about $15 and is good for small amounts of food.

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Be sure to make the baby food in batches and freeze in small quantities so you always have some on hand. The easiest way to freeze the food you make is in ice cube trays.

To help you in the process of making your baby nutritious and delicious food, here are some websites that not only offer good tips for making baby food, but yummy recipes, too.

  • Baby Center gives instructions and tips on how to make your own baby food. Baby Center is also a great pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and baby resource.
  • Nurturebaby is a great baby-food making resource. The recipes are categorized for easy reference and the techniques used are clear and simple. They also have an allergy-free recipe category.
  • Wholesome Baby Food Momtastic offers recipes for every stage, including teething biscuits. They also have a section on allergies and what not to feed your baby.

Remember, babies should not to eat certain foods at certain stages. Be sure to wait four days between introducing new foods to your baby. If you have any concerns about what to feed or not to feed your baby, consult your pediatrician first—some foods can cause an allergic reaction. Never give a baby an allergenic food such as peanut butter or tree nuts as this can cause a severe allergic reaction.

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