Home Made Baby Food

The foundation of healthy eating habits is laid early in childhood. The earlier we start following nutritious and balanced meal plans, the better it is for the health and immunity of the child.

For babies up to 6 months of age, milk (breast milk /formula milk) alone is sufficient. After 6 months of age, solid food (with no salt and sugar) or pureed foods along with milk is what the baby needs.

For babies starting with solid food, there are many varieties of baby food available in the market. However, if you prefer homemade baby food over store-bought ones, there are even more nutritious options.

• Mashed fruits are a good way to introduce babies to solids. Any fruits like a ripe banana, avocado, mango, or papaya can be given after it has been washed thoroughly to avoid choking hazards. Fruit homemade purees offer another variation in terms of texture. Try different flavors and textures to suit the baby’s needs.
• Steamed vegetables can come next once your baby takes well to fruits. Steamed carrots, beetroot, broccoli,sweet potato, french beans are not only nutritious but easy to prepare too.
• As the baby develops a palate for solid food and texture, you can give the same food as your family albeit without salt, sugar, and spices.
• Don’t forget to wash, peel and deseed the fruits and vegetables well before offering them to the baby.
• Vegetable soups, broths, coconut water, and dals can be easily given to the baby. They offer an alternative in terms of texture and taste besides packing in a punch of nutrients.
• rice cereal or Semolina (sooji) mixed in breast/formula milk and cooked to desired consistency is a wholesome and balanced meal for babies.
• Homemade celeriac, also known as sathu maavu, is another ingenious way to ensure that the baby’s diet includes different cereals, pulses, and legumes.
• Cereals like rice and oats can be introduced to the baby. Khichdi is another well-balanced meal that has the goodness of cereals, pulses, and vegetables. All you have to do is to pressure cook thoroughly washed rice/oats along with moong dal to attain the required consistency. Add in a few vegetables of your choice to up the nutritional value.
• The combo of everyone’s comfort food rice and dal is another alternative to khichdi. Boil the rice a little more than what you usually do to give it a softer and mushy texture. Offer it to the baby along with dal and you have a wholesome meal ready instantly.
• Things to avoid giving babies will mostly include sugar, salt, spices, and honey. However, it will also vary depending on individual food allergies and tolerance.
• Always make sure you give clean spoon / plate to your baby. remember to remove plastic wrap from fruits.

Ample alternatives are available for homemade baby food recipes ; you just need to make smart choices that are nutritious for the baby and hassle-free for you to cook.

Vichitra Goel is a post graduate in English literature and has worked as a University Professor till the time she became a mother. Since then she's been busy raising a little reader, writing, Instagramming, DIY-ing, hoarding craft-supplies, and procrastinating decluttering! 

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mom Store.