What supplies do I need to start making baby food?

[christymc33]

DD is 7 months, and I would like to start making her baby food. What supplies do you recommend? Which freezer trays do you like best? Any other favorites, or tips you've learned along the way?
I have ordered several of the books I have found from this site.
Thanks in advance!!

[sarahsthreads]

I pretty much used the following: a steamer insert for one of my pots, a very small food processor, and some trays from one step ahead (http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27221/68760/117.html). Very occasionally I would use a manual food grinder (I think it was a Kidco brand) if we were out. Between those few things, wholesomebabyfood.com, and this forum I was all set.

I honestly wouldn't invest a whole lot in supplies, since (at least for us) the purees no longer held any interest around 9.5 months - when Carrie discovered finger foods. In fact, I still have a tray and a half taking up space in my freezer, that's how abrupt the transition was. I suppose I should clean them out...

Oh, and one thing I started doing early on was to not bother thinning the purees or mixing them together before freezing. When I thawed them I would mix them with cereal and EBM or water to the right consistency, and I would mix different things like carrots and apples or pears and peaches depending on how many cubes I thought she might eat at a given meal.

Have fun!
Sarah :)

[MarisaSF]

Here are some of mine:

1. Super Baby Food Book. It's more info than I'll ever need, but it inspired me to make my own.

2. Handblender. I got the Braun Multiquick (~$30). It is super convenient and easy to clean. Comes with whisk and chopper attachments, but I've only used the puree feature. I love that it takes up NO counterspace. The cord is short though. I wish it took batteries.

3. Ice cube trays. I bought the OXO covered ones so I wouldn't need to use foil or plastic to cover each time. In retrospect, they probably don't need to be covered at all. I make sure only to keep the food in them until they are just frozen and then I transfer them to a bag or other storage.

5. Spoons. We have a bunch of various "baby spoons" that we use for travel/outings, but we found, surprisingly, that our regular teaspoons work great. FWIW, I try to keep plastic out of our food as much as possible.

6. Storage containers. When we moved, it took some time to get organized, so I bought tons of jarred baby food. I wash the glass jars and use them for storage and serving. When I have too many, I give them away on craigslist.

DD is 13 months and she still eats a lot of purees. We typically offer her a meal of both textured and pureed foods -- both finger and fed to her on a spoon.

Good luck!

[houseof3boys]

Just wanted to chime in on #6 - Make sure you don't freeze food in them since they contain microscopic pieces of glass. They aren't really supposed to be used for freezer storage. I just read this at wholesomebabyfood.com and it stuck with me!

M - I know you didn't say you freeze them but I wanted to chime in for others thinking they could use them to freeze in. :)

[MarisaSF]

Ooh- good to hear, Debbi. You're right, I don't freeze in the glass, but I've thought about it. What does that mean, that they contain microscopic pieces of glass. Does anyone know?

Does that mean you should never freeze glass? (Come to think of it, I don't think I ever have.) Does it have something to do with the freeze-and-expand process?

What I do, is I freeze in cubes and then put the cubes into a bowl to microwave. For re-heating and snacks to go, the little baby food jars work great.

[DebbieJ]

You don't really need much. As the PPs have mentioned, I used a steamer insert for my cookware, the blender I already owned, two ice cube trays that I had in the cabinet, and Ziploc freezer bags. Steam veggies or fruits, blend, freeze in trays, transfer to bags. That easy!

The steamer insert was the only thing I actually purchased, but I had wanted to buy it anyway and making my own baby food was the perfect excuse! :)

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
Breastfed for 20 months and 6 days

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[SarahK]

The only equipment I had to purchase was a $9.99 coffeegrinder--I used it to grind rice and oatmeal to make cereal--other than that, I only used equipment that I already own.

The equipment I used...
*coffee grinder
*blender
*food processor (actually a mini one that is interchangeable with my blender)
*pots
*steamer
*potato masher (to mash down food like cooked apples)
*strainer
*ice cube trays

Super easy to do--and my daughter never ate a single bite of store-bought baby food. Making her food was cheaper for me (even though I used all organic ingredients) than buying pre-made food.