So you want to make your own baby food?

No problem! I decided during pregnancy that making Lily organic purees was important to me, especially when I noticed the expiration date on the back of the baby food jars was 1-2 years away! Talk about preservatives!  I'll admit, I was a little overwhelmed by the thought of spending hours in the kitchen each week (on top of what is already spent there making our own dinner) slaving away to create little concoctions for the babe. I must say, the anticipation is MUCH worse than the action in this case.

When her 6 month birthday was approaching, I started researching different recipes and storage ideas. I came across this amazing website that's been a lifesaver. Wholesomebabyfoods.com has these great charts for different age groups, showing which foods to introduce at what time. Of course, always follow your pediatricians advice over these websites, but I've found these charts to be almost identical to our pedi's recommendations. There are TONS of great recipes, explanations on how to prepare and store each food, and loads of information regarding food allergies and what to watch for.

Here's a list of supplies that I use:

• Normal pots/pans and baking dishes, depending on the food.
• Blender (nothing fancy. I think I paid $19.99 at Walmart for mine and it works perfectly.)
• Ice Cube tray specifically made for baby food. After I puree in the blender, I pour in the little cubes and let it freeze overnight. Then just simply pop them out and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months!

• This book from Buy Buy Baby. I haven't really used this a lot so far, since she's still on simple one food purees, but I'm excited to venture out soon and incorporate some spices and different flavors!

We started Lily on single grain oatmeal at 6 months exactly. (We skipped rice) She tries a new food every 4-5 days, so I'll make and store 2 new foods per week. So far, she's had:

• Squash (doesn't like)
• Sweet Potato (baked - hates)
• Carrots (baby carrots, boiled - LOVES!)
• Green Beans (frozen kind, boiled - not too fond of them but she'll tolerate.)
• Peas (frozen kind, boiled - likes)
• Avocado (raw, mashed - doesn't like)
• Banana (raw, mashed - loves)
• Pear (raw w/out skin, pureed - on the fence about this one.)

She eats 2 1/2 tbsp of oatmeal in the morning (up from 1/2 tbsp on her first feeding) mixed with 1 oz. of breastmilk. She has a 6oz. bottle (of BM) with breakfast, another 6oz. bottle around 12:30 and 3:30, nurses at 6, has 2 cubes of baby food, usually one fruit and one veggie, around 6:45-7, nurses to sleep between 7:30 and 8, and wakes once or twice during the night to nurse. She's a big baby, so of course her BM intake is high. Our pedi recommends anywhere between 18-26 oz of BM per day until she's around 1, and she's usually closer to 30 oz. a day. She likes to eat. :)

If you're thinking about giving this a try, I highly recommend it. It takes me roughly 1-2 hours a week to cook, puree, and freeze everything she needs for the week. The website above will answer many of your questions, and you can always ask me. :)