Introducing Baby to Solids

First time in the highchair and he is extremely skeptical!

Okay, so technically they didn't start solids the way most babies do. We did put some rice cereal in their bottles starting around 9 weeks old to help keep them more full during the night (and it works, like whoa!) But I didn't want to start them on a bland rice or oatmeal as their first food that they would eat off of a spoon - especially a store bought one. So we started with actual foods - and we started them at 14 weeks! It's good practice for them and I think it has helped them learn not only the routine of sitting in their high chairs for a meal a day, but also with their coordination and interest in food!

First food - pears!

I knew from even before I was pregnant that I wanted to make all of their food from scratch. I love to cook. It would be less expensive. I could control what they eat better and make sure that it is only the most nutritious. All of my favorite things - cooking, thriftiness, control -muahaha! But seriously, it is so easy to make your own baby foods that I cannot understand why more people don't do it. There are "recipes" for almost every food imaginable  - steam/microwave/peel/dice and then puree or mash. EASY!  Then there are some recipes that I have found that use your crock pot (Chicken and butternut squash, anyone?) 

More peas, pwease!

Other than looking online for "recipes" I did read one book - The Baby and Toddler Cookbook: Fresh, Homemade Foods for a Healthy Start by Karen Ansel and Charity Ferreira. It's not so much that the "recipes" in this book are helpful - it's the other information about nutrition, food preparation, how to introduce your baby to foods, etc. If you're only going to read one book about baby foods - I would recommend this one because it's comprehensive and concise!

Take a look inside through Amazon.com!

So far the boys have enjoyed pears, peas, green beans, carrots, banana, brown rice and oatmeal cereals (I made these cereals for less than a penny a serving!) We just introduced sweet potato with pumpkin pie seasoning - you can include spices, herbs and seasonings for older babies but I just couldn't wait! I have the freezer stocked with all of those plus avocado, applesauce, and pumpkin to try within the next few weeks. Their favorite food so far is sweet potatoes with pumpkin pie seasoning - when I made it, I almost decided to eat it for lunch myself. Seriously. Recipe below!

 Since they have enjoyed these foods separately so far, I have started to combine them to make delicious combinations. Their favorite combination right now is peas, banana and oatmeal. I tried it and I can vouch for its deliciousness. These kids have good taste already.

Frozen in 1-ounce cubes for easy storage and portioning!

At 17 weeks old, I am only introducing solids at one meal a day. Usually in the afternoon when we have more time. I watch carefully for signs that they hate my cooking. Just kidding, I watch for signs of them being full or not interested - nobody doesn't like my cooking! Sometimes I let them hold the spoon (without food on it) and they gnaw on it and try to jab themselves in the face with it. But it is all a learning process still at this point and I want them to enjoy the experience.

Pumpkin Pie Sweet Potato Baby Food:
Homemade for $0.15 an ounce!

What you'll need: 

• 2 lbs sweet potatoes - about 4 mediums
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning
• 1/4 cup water, formula or breast milk

Instructions: 

Wash and scrub sweet potatoes, puncture skins multiple times with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Let cool. Remove skins (they should peel right off) and scoop out flesh. Place in food processor, blender, baby food maker (click the links to see what I use/recommend!) and pulse until they reach a creamy consistency. Thin puree with water if needed to reach desired consistency. Add 1/4 tsp of pumpkin pie seasoning and blend once more. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. 

Look for additional baby food making "recipes" and their current favorite food combinations to come in later posts... I can't wait for these little guys to be good eaters so we can enjoy meal times together as a family!