How to make your own baby food

Our simple step-by-step guide to making your own baby food will have you cooking healthy and nutrient-packed meals in no time.

Step 1

First up, make sure you have the right equipment. A peeler, sharp knife, chopping boards, pan or steamer, and masher or food processor are all helpful for preparation. For serving, it’s useful to have some small pots and spoons, and leakproof containers (to transport food on the go).

Step 2

Your little one’s immune system is still developing, so be vigilant about sanitation. Before getting started, make sure your work surfaces are clean and wash your hands and all utensils thoroughly.

Step 3

Ready to cook? Wash, peel and remove pips and stones from fruit and veg before chopping it into equal chunks. Select nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to begin with, such as broccoli, spinach, carrot, pear, apple, mango, blueberry, pea, swede, parsnip, sweet potato and cauliflower, and keep it simple, using just one ingredient at a time.

Step 4

Cook the chunks until tender. Steaming or microwaving helps to retain vitamins and minerals. Alternatively, you can boil and drain the ingredients. Now mash or blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of your baby’s usual milk or cooled boiled water to loosen. If it’s too thin, add more of the food or a spoonful of baby rice. The puree’s texture should be similar to a non-set yoghurt at first.

Step 5

Want a no-cook option? Try mashing soft fruits or vegetables with a fork until smooth, then feeding them to your baby. Or load a baby nibbler with banana or avocado and watch your tot have a go at eating independently.

Step 6

Once your baby is used to smooth purées, use a food processor to make chunkier blends. Now you can try cooking meat, poultry and fish (make sure it’s well done, with clear-running juices and with fat, gristle, skin and bone removed). From around seven months, have a go with finger foods such as grated carrot, sliced soft fruits or soft cooked vegetable batons – they’re great for developing hand-to-eye coordination and chewing skills.

Step 7

When your baby is happy with single-ingredient meals, start introducing flavour combinations. Add mild herbs to a vegetable purée, or pair up fruits and veg that work well together, such as plum and apple, cauliflower and sweet potato, or carrot and squash. After that, it won’t be long until your child is enjoying the same meals as the whole family!

Top tips

• Serve food right away (once cooled) or refrigerate immediately and use within two days.
• Cook food in batches to avoid wastage and save time and money.
• Freeze excess individual portions in an ice cube tray. The cubes can be transferred to a larger container and labelled up, ready for defrosting when needed (it’s best to defrost them overnight in the fridge). Frozen purées will keep for up to four months.
• When preparing heated or reheated foods, cool them before serving; test a small amount on the inside of your wrist – it should feel neither hot nor cold. Don’t reheat defrosted foods more than once.
• Babies don’t need salt or sugar added to their food (or the cooking water).
• Stay with your child at all times when they’re eating to make sure they’re swallowing food safely.
• Offer small sips of cooled boiled water at mealtimes.
• Don’t replace milk feeds (breast or formula). Milk will continue to be the most important part of your baby’s diet until he or she is at least one year old.