Key takeaways: Homemade baby food can be nutritious and economical. Wash hands and produce, cook foods until soft, puree or mash to the right texture, and cool quickly. Refrigerate in covered containers and use within a couple of days, or freeze. Don’t add salt or sugar, avoid honey before 12 months, and serve a variety of foods.
You don’t need special equipment to make baby food. A fork, blender, or food processor works.
Getting Started
- Wash hands, surfaces, and equipment.
- Wash produce well.
- Cook vegetables, meats, and some fruits until soft.
- Puree or mash to a texture that matches your baby’s skills.
- Cool quickly before storing.
Textures by Stage
- Around 6 months: smooth or slightly thick purees, or soft mashed foods.
- 7 to 9 months: lumpier mashes and soft finger foods.
- 9 to 12 months: chopped, soft table foods.
Moving to lumpier textures by about 9 to 10 months is important for chewing skills.
Storage
- Refrigerator: store in covered containers and use within about 2 to 3 days. Meat and egg purees may need to be used sooner; follow USDA guidance.
- Freezer: freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to labeled freezer bags. Use within about 1 to 2 months for best quality.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
- Serve from a bowl, not the storage container, and discard leftovers from the bowl.
What Not to Add
- No salt or sugar.
- No honey before 12 months (risk of botulism).
Foods to Watch
- Nitrates: the AAP has noted that home-prepared vegetables like spinach, beets, green beans, squash, and carrots shouldn’t be given to babies under 3 months. This isn’t a concern for babies starting solids around 6 months eating a variety of foods.
- Rice: rice can contain arsenic. Offer a variety of grains, and cook rice in extra water and drain.
- Choking hazards: whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard raw vegetables, and chunks of meat or cheese.
Flavor and Variety
Herbs and mild spices can be added as your baby grows. Offering a variety of flavors may help babies accept more foods.
The Bottom Line
Homemade baby food is easy and nutritious. Prepare safely, store properly, skip salt, sugar, and honey, and offer variety.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. Keep baby food safe. https://www.fsis.usda.gov
- Greer FR, Shannon M; Committee on Nutrition; Committee on Environmental Health. Infant methemoglobinemia: the role of dietary nitrate in food and water. Pediatrics. 2005;116(3):784-786.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Making your own baby food. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
