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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Do you make your baby's food?
This is something I'm struggling w/ right now. Do I want to do it, and more importantly, SHOULD I do it? I'm home till next Sept so I DO have plenty of time to do it. Is there really a big difference between homemade baby food and the jarred foods? Is it a big enough difference that I'm doing my daughter a disservice by feeding her jarred foods, despite them being organic? Talk to me about this.
Re: Do you make your baby's food?
Cayla, thank you for bringing that up because I forgot to mention it. That was one of my questions, as well ... I've heard different opinions on the savings ... is it really cost effective to make your own babyfood? I'm all for saving a dime!!
Some I have talked to say that there is a cost savings, others say no....I've made some of my own baby food, simply because Austin doesn't eat a whole jar or if he is eating he'll only eat half or less of what I have spooned out...it is such a waste of food and money! I don't necessarily buy organic - some things I try to...but if you look at the cost of peas for example - you could get 2 jars of peas for $1.00....I bought a bag of frozen store-brand peas for $.99 - pureed them and filled an ice cube tray with them - that's about 12 servings vs. 4 servings for $.99
The only other problem with making your own and freezing it, is that it only lasts 3 months - where as jarred food last forever (or so) until opened.
Taste is another factor - I tasted jarred peaches vs. fresh pureed peaches and the pureed ones taste SO much better. I am really grossed out about buying jarred meat for Austin so I am hoping to puree that for him when he tries that.
You are so right about being home - that is one reason why I decided to give it a go...the way I am personally going to try and do it is probably 1/2 and 1/2 (some jarred, some pureed)
Checkout the website wholesomebabyfood.com - although know that the AAP says not to home prepare beets, turnips, carrots, collard greens or spinach since in some parts of the country they contain large amounts of nitrates...
I made food for both of my girls, and I have to say it is fairly easy. I was working full time and it really doesn't take a lot of time to do.
I made carrots, broccoli, apple sauce, pears, squash (summer and butternut), zucchini....there's probably more but I can't think of any others right now.
I wouldn't make too much in advance beccause of what another poster said about keeping it frozen for more than 3 months. I think you'll find you'll go through an ice cube tray fairly quickly though, so it shouldn't be a problem.
When they were somewhere between 9 - 11 mos, I was just throwing whatever we were eating into the Magic Bullet and serving them that.
To me it was almost an extension of nursing. They were getting all of their nutrition from me BF, now they are getting it from my cooking! And it may be the only time someone actually likes my cooking!
I found it to be cost efficient also.
I didn't make much of Owen's baby food, he eat mostly Beech nut b/c of his allergies. But, I make a lot of food specifically for him now. It is pretty easy b/c one batch lasts him a long time. I generally only need to make 1-2 things a week to keep my fridge stocked & have lots of options available. If you make your own, you can use frozen veggies (since they are just as healthy & cheaper) & whatever fruit is on sale. Now that I do it, I might consider making some baby food next time.
I agree w/ Lisa, check out www.wholesomebabyfood.com.
Amye- I make all of Kailyn's food. I don't know if there is a cost savings or not, but I feel that because I am able to do it that I should. There are no preservatives in it that way and it tastes better. Once you get the hang of it it is so easy,
Also, a tip that i have found... I freeze food by the table sppon in snack baggies. They are easier to store than the ice cube shape, and they thaw faster- usually 15 minutes on the counter or a few minutes in warm water and it is good to go.
Amye, I make Connors food for cost saving but also mainly I like the fact that I know that there are no additives, even absorbic acid which are in some organic like Earths Best. Dont get me wrong i use EB's as a back up and prefer that or Gerber organic when i ran out of food that i made for him.
I have found it truly does save $$. I can get a lot more out of a frozen bag of peas or a couple of sweet potatoes when making them then by buying the jar. Although being a working mom and driving down to see my mom once a week i will run behind on time and at least feel good about giving him organic.
I get a lot of satisfaction from making him homemade food. So far i have made sweet potatoes, squash (acorn and butternut), apples, pears, peas. I am not sure when we will start meat but that should be a ball to puree!! lol