Going to save by making baby food, which maker???

[paysensmom]

I know I could steam it and grind it myself. I want something to do it for me! I only want to buy one machine and use it daily. Thoughts??

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Personally I got a nice food processor. Not only did it do a better job then a lot of my friends with the "baby food" makers... but it also was something that I could use after I was done with it. If you go this route... choose a more expensive one. It is totally worth it in th elong run!

 

[Jilian]

I used a food processor too, but you could even get by with a blender if you wanted to. I'd bake in bulk I started with sweet potatoes) then I'd add them to the food processor with a little water and puree and plop them into an ince cube tray to freeze. Once they were frozen I'd put them into the snack size ziploc bags and defrost as needed. The best part is that you can run a frozen veggie cube under warm water while it is still in its ziplock bag and it would be defrosted and warmed pretty quickly I miss making baby food, my littlest is now 2.

 

[csharpwv]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

That is so funny!

The summary of this thread on the main screen is:

Going to save by making baby

I can't be the only one that things that is hilarious? Right?


Sorry to interrupt the conversation - but I just thought that was very funny!

 

[bettymae1121]

A small food processor and a steamer basket insert for your existing cookware is all you really need. I do like the look of the Baby Bullet (by the makers of Magic Bullet), my food processor is is too big for small baby food batches, so since I'd have to buy a small processor anyway, I'm thinking of buying that. The whole set is $60, it comes with baby food jars, a freezer tray and a few other goodies as well as the blender itself. I don't think it steams it for you, but really steaming on your stove is no real effort, I make steamed veggies all the time for my own meals and it's a snap.

 

[3goofyboys]

I just used a steamer and a blender for mine. I did like the pp and made batches and froze them in ice cube trays. It was easy peasy!

 

[momof3ds]

I used a food processor and a mesh strainer.

If anything, I'd get a regular magic bullet (not the baby food one they advertise).

Get some ice cube trays, and you can make a week to 2 weeks worth of food at a time. Just put it through the bullet until you get the consistency you want, strain it if needed and pour into the ice cube trays. Freeze, then pop out and microwave as needed.

 

[AZMermaid]

I used my food processor and a steamer basket I already had, so I didn't have to buy anything new! I also used ice cubes to freeze one ounce portions.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

I have the bullet, a baby and make her own food and I am not impressed with the bullet in this regard at all. I have since moved on to my food processor. The only food item that came out acceptable in the bullet was a banana mixed with a bit of apple juice and even that I had to blend for a very long time (compared to food processor). DD8 keeps trying to get me to buy the Baby Bullet and while it IS awfully cute, no thanks!

 

[Evi]

I don't have little ones but I used to make baby food for DNiece and Nephew when they were little. I honestly think the baby magic bullet looks promising. I say that because I had a magic bullet when I first moved out and they dont' have the longest life span but mine last about 2 years that should get you to solid foods and it is super easy to clean. If your looking for an investment piece that you can use for many many years to come look at Vitamix blenders those are super cool.

 

[bellarella]

I made most of my own baby food. I just used a steamer (you could just use a steam basket in a regular pot) and a hand stick blender (my favorite kitchen appliance).

Rather than doing it everyday, I would recommend doing large batches and freezing it. I would steam or roast veggies, usually one day a month. Use the steaming water to thin the puree down as necessary. Fill up ice cube trays with the puree. As soon as it is frozen, crack and put into ziplock bags. Label the bags with the contents and date.

I stuck to single ingredient purees so that I could add more variety. If I wanted to do sweet potatoes and chicken, I'd grab a couple of cubes of each and mix it when I was heating it up. The time I used the sweet potatoes I could mix them with apples, or whatever.

As your baby grows, you can change the texture you make the purees and eventually just puree what you've made for your own dinner. This is another reason I love the hand stick blender -- it works equally well for large and small batches!

 

[msmama]

If you really want to save money then buy something you will use after baby is finished eating baby food. For me, my son ate so little baby food that buying a maker would have been a total waste. I used the magic bullet or blender I already had.

 

[adventure_woman]

Ninja! Got it at Target for around $30. NO problems w/ carrots or sweet potatoes...just added my milk. Also makes great smoothies/shakes. Easy to clean. I tried a blender and HATED it. LOVE LOVE LOVE my ninja. (It comes w/ a big container and small container and blades are super sharp)

 

[HillPete]

The only thing I was glad to put in the baby food maker (the hand-crank kind) was green beans. It was the best at getting out the strings. I wouldn't buy one just for that, though. I used a food processor for the rest. Also, our ped had my kids off the baby food by 9 months. They moved on to mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, tiny bits of chicken and tiny cuts of fruit pretty quickly. I'm glad I didn't invest too much in that crank thing!

 

[MicahMoo]

Another vote for just a normal food processor! I mean, really, it isn't that much work to steam in one pan and spoon into a food processor. Good luck!

 

[ellone]

Rather than doing it everyday, I would recommend doing large batches and freezing it. I would steam or roast veggies, usually one day a month. Use the steaming water to thin the puree down as necessary. Fill up ice cube trays with the puree. As soon as it is frozen, crack and put into ziplock bags. Label the bags with the contents and date.

First time out, make a small batch. My daughter was pretty picky and didn't like some things. My fallback was always bananas and avocado which I didn't need any machine for.

 

[MicahMoo]

Use the steaming water to thin the puree down as necessary.

Do not do this with carrots if the baby is under 8 months old as Nitrates may seep into the cooking water.

For more information about Nitrates, as well as a ton of other good information, go to: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/carrotsbabyfoodrecipes.html

 

[GatorMama]

Another option is just not doing babyfood at all. Skip it. Go straight to soft bananas, avocado, baked sweet potato and let baby feed him/herself when he/she is ready for real foods. (For more information, google "Babyled Weaning")

That said, I had never heard of BLW when DS was at that age, so I made my own food or bought some jars of Earth's Best to keep around for outings. I used the steamer insert and a tiny food processor that I already had. I thinned out thick sweet potatoes or other thick foods with pumped breast milk. One of his favorite meals used to be taco night when he'd get mashed avocado and shredded cheese. NOW his favorite night is pizza night or any night we have steamed broccoli.

 

[Derby4me]

I use a generic magic bullet and purchase whatever fruit/vegis are one sale and make big batches. I freeze the food in ice cube trays and once frozen, pop them out and put into gallon sized freezer bags. I've saved TONS. Good luck, it's really fun to make!

 

[mickeytattoo95]

I did the steamer, blender, ice cube tray bit for baby food. Beware though, I burned up two blenders. Get the best one you can afford!

I love the book "Super Baby Food."

http://www.superbabyfood.com/