Ella Jane Steele: Ella's Food Adventure

This page is dedicated to Ella's first attempt of new foods. Brian and I decided this is how we wanted to introduce solids into Ella's diet. I've read a couple of books before starting this baby food adventure and here are my tips/recommendations. (Please note: I am not claiming to be an expert on how to feed your baby - please make sure to do your own research and ask your pediatrician if you have questions or concern. This is simply my experience and observation so far)

Taken from the following books:
1) Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
2) Top 100 Baby Food Recipes: Easy Purees & First Foods for 6-12 Months by Christine Bailey

Tips to introducing solids: Follow your pediatrician's recommendation on whether or not your baby is ready for solids. We waited until Ella was 5 months old before we introduced rice cereal into her diet. We waited an additional 4 weeks until we started introducing other vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to wait 3-4 days before introducing a new item into your baby's diet so that you can be assure that your baby is not allergic.

Here's our schedule of vegetables that we'll be introducing to Ella in the weeks to come:
1) Rice Cereal, 2) Sweet Potato, 3) Butternut/Other Squash, 4) Pumpkin, 5) Green Beans, 6) Zucchini, 7) Rutabaga, 8) Carrot, 9) Parsnip, 10) Broccoli, 11) Corn, 12) Cauliflower (we'll be adding/changing to this list!)

We'll be introducing fruits and meats into Ella's diet at about 8-9 months.

Tips to cooking your baby food: You don't need to buy the expensive "baby food machine" to make your baby food. All you need is a blender, vegetable peeler, multilayered steamer, knife, and a cutting board. You can bake, boil, microwave, steam or stew your baby food. Steaming your fruits and vegetables is the best way to preserve the vitamins and taste as most nutrients are destroyed by overcooking or too much water in the pot.

1) Wash, peel and slice your vegetable or fruit into even slices (this allows it to cook evenly)

2) Place items on top layer of steamer. Steam for 20-30 minutes or until items or soft and can easily be puree.
3) Place in blender and puree. You can add water to make your baby food more

*Do not add salt or sugar if your baby is under 12 months. The food your cooking will be sweet enough and tasty so no added ingredients needed.

Freezing and Reheating: After making your baby's delicious baby food, how do you keep it from spoiling? If your making your baby food fresh (i.e. your baby will be eating within days), then make sure to keep it in a well-sealed container or zip-lock bag. If you plan on making your baby food in bulk and freezing (i.e. batch-cooking), cool your baby food as fast as possible and then freeze it. You don't want to put it in the refrigerator for a few days and then freeze it. I invested in a set of plastic ice cube trays to freeze my baby food (put a ziplock bag over it so that you don't contaminate the food). One ice cube is about 1 tablespoon. After the baby food is frozen, knock out the cubs, store in freezer bag, write the name and date it was frozen. I would recommend using it within 4 weeks.

When reheating your baby food, please make sure your baby food is cooked all the way through (stir, and make sure it's steaming so that any bacteria is killed). You can use the microwave or saucepan to do this. let it cool down and test the warmth before feeding.
*Do not reheat food more than once.

Let the food adventure begin!

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Video: Rice Cereal on September 17, 2011