Homemade Baby Food

I've been attempting to make my own baby food, well some of it.  I don't really know how one makes 100% of their baby's food homemade  and never have to buy a single pouch/jar!!  It doesn't take a ton of time and is actually really easy..... but still a process!!   My kid seems to go through baby food like there's no tomorrow so you'd really  have to be on the ball - which I'm totally NOT!  I feel like I'm constantly needing to stop by a store to pick up something.....which is one reason I thought I'd give making it myself a shot.  Today I made sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  The other day I made mangoes, and this weekend I plan on making bananas.  All organic of course, and YES it really is cheaper.  Those little packets run from $1.25 to almost $2.00 EACH!!!!  I started with them just so I can get an idea of what he likes and doesn't like, allergies and things like that.  And I do still buy them but really try to stock up when on sale.  But now he can eat like 5 or 6 pouches/jars in a day!!  Plus the oat cereal on top of that!  Can you say $$$$ ????
   
I use the Baby Bullet to make baby food, I got it as a shower gift, didn't register for it, NEVER thought I'd be interested in such a thing, BUT I can honestly say that I really like it and think its a great product.  I like the little serving containers & lids that come with it, they're great because the lids have dates on them and you can twist it to whichever date it is that you're making the food.  This way you know how long its been sitting in your freezer or fridge.  Super easy to use, easy to clean, a must have if you have any interest what so ever in making your own baby food one day!

The little rubber freezer tray is great because it really does make for the perfect serving portion.  I freeze the tray and then pop them out and put in labeled freezer bags.  When I want to serve I just take a serving out of the bag and I use those little tupperware containers (you know the ones probably made for salad dressing) which is the perfect size for one serving....then just let thaw in fridge. 

one squash made so much I had to resort to ice cube trays

I ran out of ice cube trays so I just froze the remaining amount in a breast milk storage bag....hey if  it works for milk why not squash??!!!

As you can tell Jack loves his orange veggies.  I can usually sneak a couple spoonfuls in of something green before he notices and then I have to start mixing with something else.
There are lots of recipes for home made baby food but the thought of trying them all is a little overwhelming...SO I just stick to the basics and try to always have them on hand to pull out and mix with or have in addition to a more complex blend that I'm perfectly happy buying from the store.  Like country chicken and veggie dinner or chicken/turkey, corn, and squash.....get the idea?
The pediatrician told us at our last visit that I could start blending things we are having (not everything!!), just things like chicken noodle soup....but take some out prior to seasoning it and blend it up.  I never think to do this though when I'm making dinners, I'm too quick to season and do it without thinking usually. 

**My advice to any mommas getting ready to try this, just from what little I've done so far I've learned that if you can roast something rather than boil it to get it soft then do it.  Reason being is that you won't lose nutrients from roasting something like you will boiling - nutrients will go right into the water.  My other piece of advice is to add water as you go, a recipe may call for 1 cup of water but this might be too much for your liking and make the food really soupy.  So start with about half of what it calls for (usually its one cup per 1 veggie like a sweet potato) and then add as you blend it and can see the consistency.  **