If your little one is gearing up for solid foods, then you will be wanting to feed them the most nutritious and delicious foods possible. Growing your own vegetables is not only therapeutic for you, but it can provide healthy food for the entire family, including your baby, and is an easy way to introduce your baby to new foods and flavours.
As for what to plant and grow, that is completely up to you. One of the advantages of joining the ever-growing ranks of home vegetable gardeners is that you can introduce your baby to the same vegetables loved by the whole family, and you don’t have to be a culinary superstar to start creating baby food from home-grown veggies.
You can start growing veggies from seeds from inside your home in the spring. When planning your baby food vegetable garden, it’s best to check the seed packets to find the optimum time to plant seeds outdoors or transplant your seedlings.
The guidance on the seed packets will tell you how much space, light, and water will be needed, as well as helping you figure out how to get your garden started.
It is best to check with your paediatrician for advice on the best time to start your baby on solid foods, and when you’re ready, it’s advised to cook fruits and vegetables to minimise any stomach irritation and allergies.
You can use a steamer or microwave to cook the veggies. Some may simply need mashing up once cooked, but others might require a blender or food processor to puree them.
Start by introducing your baby to individual foods, and slowly progress by getting creative and combining fruits and veggies. Carrots can add sweetness to squash, and applesauce can make spinach a little more palatable!
It’s simple to make large batches of your homemade baby food, and then freeze it in portion-sized ice cube trays, so all you need to do is defrost it. If you thaw it out in a microwave, make sure there are no hot spots, and stir it thoroughly, checking the temperature before feeding it to your baby.
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables taste great, so start planning your baby food vegetable garden!
Equally important is advice on What To Eat Whilst Breast Feeding and What Not To Eat Whilst Breastfeeding.
I am also a Baby Weaning Consultant giving professional help on Weaning your baby off the breast, weaning from breast to bottle and weaning onto solid food.