Bubby and Bean ::: Living Creatively: Homemade Baby Food, 3 Ways

My kids are now 4 and 6, and while they no longer eat baby food (aside from sweet potato puree minus the breastmilk/formula, which even I think is pretty freaking delicious), we still love to share our three favorite baby food recipes with friends who have tiny ones transitioning to solids. And today, we thought we'd share them with you as well!

If you're feeding your baby solids for the first time, make sure you first offer single ingredient foods, and then wait five to seven days before offering a different food. This allows you to know without a doubt which foods, if any, might cause reactions in your babe. Once you're aware of what foods your baby can tolerate, you can start mixing. (The avocado and banana purees I'm sharing below were big favorites for mixing around here.) When your little one hits about the ten months mark, you can use a fork to mash instead of pureeing them.

AVOCADO BABY FOOD

INGREDIENTS
1 large, ripe avocado
breast milk or formula

Slice down the middle (length wise) around the pit, then remove the pit (but don't discard). Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of the avocado, and place into a blender or food processor. Add a small amount of breastmilk or formula, and puree. Continue to add more breastmilk or formula until you reach the desired consistency. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator with the pit (which will help to keep it fresh) for up to 48 hours. (Don't feed pit to the baby though. Duh.)

SWEET POTATO BABY FOOD

INGREDIENTS
1 sweet potato (get organic if you can)
breast milk or formula

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prick washed sweet potato several times with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool. When cooled, slice open and scoop flesh into a blender or food processor. Add a small amount of breastmilk or formula, and puree. Continue to add more breastmilk or formula until your desired consistency is reached. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.

BANANA BABY FOOD

INGREDIENTS
1 banana
breast milk or formula

Peel banana, place in blender or food processor, add a small amount of breastmilk or formula, and puree. As with the others, continue to add more breastmilk or formula until your desired consistency is reached. Use immediately (or freeze and serve as an ice cream to older babes!).