Safe Storage of Homemade Baby Food

https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/57-how-to-make-baby-food

You’ve done it! Either you’ve made lots of purée, or you’ve started to consider your baby’s first foods. Here are a few final things to keep in mind, whether you’ve made a ton of food and need help with the leftovers, or are just starting out.

1. STORAGE

   You’ve made lots of purée, and your baby has eaten just 2 tablespoons of it. Freeze the rest. Fruit purées will typically last for two days in the refrigerator, and vegetable and meat purées a day, but all will last for a month in the freezer.

   The easiest way to freeze purées involves a lidded ice-cube tray: Each cube from a standard tray holds about an ounce, making it easy to parcel out portions as your baby’s appetite grows.

   Pour the purée into a tray and allow it to freeze. Then pop out the cubes into a resealable freezer bag for storage. Be sure to label the bag with the dish and the date you made it. Thaw a few cubes in the refrigerator or microwave, and serve the purée at room temperature.

   For day-to-day needs, a few 2- and 4-ounce containers work just fine. And for thinner purées, try reusable, freezable sippy pouches. These silicone pouches are typically four ounces, so introduce them as your baby’s appetite grows.

2. SAFETY

   Hygiene: Babies have weaker immune systems than adults, so break any bad kitchen hygiene habits before you start making baby food. Make sure everything is clean, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly, meaning a vigorous 30-second scrub.

   Water: Tap water can vary from city to country and wells in between. We call for purified water for these recipes, and you should simmer purées the full amount of time indicated in the provided recipes.

   Allergies: Food allergies are top of mind for any new parent. Introduce ingredients one at a time, and ideally over a couple of days, so if your baby has a reaction, you’ll know what caused it. Your doctor will tell you what to look for: It can be anything from a mild rash to red spots, sneezing or wheezing. Common food allergens are eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame seeds, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat.  Keep a list of what you have fed baby so you can look back and see what might be a problem.

   Food to Avoid: Honey and light and dark corn syrups have the risk of carrying a mild form of botulism. They can be introduced after 1 year. And avoid unpasteurized dairy, a.k.a. raw milk, which could carry salmonella, listeria or e.Coli. Similarly, be judicious when using salt. You want to teach baby to like truly natural foods.  Baby has not become used to sugar and salt.  Let her enjoy food this way.

   Non-Organic Produce: Pesticides can be found on many fruits and vegetables. It is better to buy organic when purchasing berries, stone fruits and vegetables whose skins you eat, like tomatoes and potatoes. Thicker-skinned fruits and vegetables like avocados and eggplant are less likely to have pesticide residue. For more information on dirty and clean foods, visit the Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

   And lastly, this process can seem daunting, but don’t stress. At the end of the day, your baby will grow big and strong whether or not you make all of their meals from scratch.

Introducing Non-pureed Items To Baby

Stage 3  (9-12 months)

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Your baby will not taste salt or sugar until you allow it.                                                            Hold off on these as long as possible!   These substances add nothing to your baby’s nutrition.  Look for spices and herbs adding good things to you baby’s diet.  Occasionally someone will give your baby something sweet.  However the food you prepare and serve will be the norm.  Allow your child to learn to appreciate the true taste of fruit and vegetables with out the interference of salt and sugar at home.  (Processed baby food has salt and sugar because adults do not like the taste with out it.  Because your baby has not tasted these things he will not miss them.)

Your baby will not need warm food until you introduce it.                                             Breastmilk is at room temperature for baby.  It is lukewarm as best.  Do not feel you need to heat baby’s fruit and vegetables.  Most of these are eaten at room temperature for adults.  Salads and fruits as such.  Let refrigerated items warm to room temperature before serving them to baby.  Avoiding heating baby’s food protects baby from being burned and saves you the concern of getting the temperature right.

Introducing non-pureed food to baby is when things actually start being fun!  Cheerios, tiny bites of fruit and berries make life so much easier!!!  You will know baby is ready when he starts reaching for food you are eating.  Be sure the items are soft as baby does not have molars with which to chew food yet.  Be careful to cut very small bites and do not allow baby to stuff them all in at one time.  Choking is a problem to be aware of.  Also, be very aware of what others maybe giving to your baby.  They may not know the stage your baby is in.  The best thing to do is to ask others to only give baby items you provide.  They may think you are a little overprotective, but this protects baby big time!!!  They want to participate, show them appreciation and let them, under your watchful eye.  Folks don’t realize how quickly they forget the stages in baby’s development:  Example:  When our first baby was five months old a good friend handed me her newborn.  I was surprised he couldn’t hold his head up!!!!  Ha!  This was just a few short months since I had been there.  We all forget!!!!!

Be careful of things like nuts.  They are much harder than baby is accustomed to and can get stuck in baby’s throat.  Also, items like hot dogs and grapes, through soft, can get caught.  Cut them very small and be very aware when baby is eating.

When you purchase pre-cut foods or foods you believe are a good size for you baby always check the items.  Pour out what you plan to use and be sure all pieces are a size you are comfortable serving your little one.

Prepare some of you favorite mild recipes and let baby enjoy them with you.  If you enjoy spicy or salted foods take baby’s portion out of the meal before the spices are added.

Snack servings should be about the size of a baby’s fist. (A lot of it may end up as a casualty on the floor.) As babies approach their first birthdays, they are probably drinking less breast milk or formula and eating more solid foods. They can eat snacks now, which they’ll use to show off their newfound power of the pincer grasp. Snacks can be as simple as small cubes of mild Cheddar, sliced and quartered bananas, blueberries, or some of your pasta. Keep pieces small (about ¼-inch dice): They shouldn’t be too hard to hold or chew, and portions should be about the size of your baby’s fist.

Making Your Own Baby Food For Your Seven Month Old

This is the second installment of our New York Times article on making your own baby food.  The time in your baby’s life when you choose to do this is up to you. The most recent blog post before this one talks about when to introduce food to your baby.  Look it over when deciding to begin solid food.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/57-how-to-make-baby-food

Stage 2 (7 to 9 Months)

As babies become more comfortable with solid foods and can sit on their own, their interest will grow, and you can introduce chunkier, more complex flavor combinations. The general consensus now is to begin with vegetables.  Peas, very small of squash, cut corn, sweet potato, and more.  some of these things will sho up in baby’s diaper looking the way they went in.  This show baby’s digestive track is not quite ready for this particular item.  Whit a few weeks and try it again.  Remember to write down shat you serve in the beginning.   This will really help if there is an allergic reaction.  When introducing fruit begin with pairings you enjoy, like bananas and blueberries or strawberries; peaches and pears; very small cubes of grape and mashed apple.

Avoid citrus and acidic items.  These may be difficult for baby to digest and cause mild skin inflammation.  Once baby has a wide assortment of items you know are safe introduce one acidic item at a time: oranges, pineapple, Cuties, etc.

Some families enjoy the tubed baby food that is everywhere now.  It is certainly convenient and less messy.  However tactile feeling, the textures and smoothness of foods are a large part or our enjoyment.  Avoid the temptation of using the tube items exclusively.

 

David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

GREEN PURÉE

This fruit and vegetable blend is so tasty that you might find yourself drinking what your baby doesn’t. Pineapple is acidic, so if your baby doesn’t like it, substitute another fruit.

Put 1 packed cup fresh spinach leaves; ½ cup frozen peas; ½ of a medium pineapple, cubed (about 1½ cups); 2 skin-on pears, cored and cubed; and ½ cup purified water in a blender. Blend until the purée reaches desired consistency. The blend can be refrigerated for a day or frozen for up to a month. Makes 3 cups (about six 4-ounce baby servings).

— Adapted from “The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers” by Anthony F. Porto and Dina M. DiMaggio (Ten Speed Press, 2016)liquid as necessary to reach the desired consistency. Makes 10 1-ounce servings.

RED LENTIL PURÉE

Loaded with protein and fiber, lentils are given a dal-like treatment here.In a large saucepan over high heat, bring ⅔ cup dried red lentils, 8 ounces baby carrots sliced ½-inch thick, 1¾ cups purified water and ¼ cup unsweetened canned coconut milk to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils and carrots are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and mash the mixture with a potato masher until it has the consistency of porridge. Thin as desired with more water, breast milk, formula, or broth.  Let mixture cool to room temperature before serving. Makes 2½ cups (about five 4-ounce servings).— Adapted from “The Complete Baby and Toddler Cookbook” by America’s Test Kitchen (Sourcebook Jabberwocky, 2019

 

MEAT PURÉE

You can give a baby meat, and chicken purée is an easy first. Make sure to cook meats thoroughly, and be extra mindful of cross-contamination.

Trim any fat from a 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast. Place chicken breast in a small saucepan and cover with purified water. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, or until an instant thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees. Remove chicken from water and allow to cool. Chop into large pieces and place in a blender. Add 4 ounces formula, breast milk, or broth and purée until smooth, adding more liquid as necessary to reach the desired consistency. Makes 10 1-ounce servings.

Making Your Own Baby Food

 

 

Introducing solid food for baby is a big decision.  My recommendation is to wait until your darling is six months old.   Many studies have shown waiting to start solid food helps baby later on: fewer allergies, less stomach problems, easier acclimation from breastfeeding and more.  There is a temptation to start earlier with the belief baby will sleep longer at night.  However, often this does not prove to be true.

Speak with your friends, find out your pediatricians thoughts, talk with family members to decide when is best for you.  Every situation is a little bit different.

Below is the first in a four part installment from the New York Times on how to make your own baby food.  It is easy and so convenient.  Also, this way you know exactly what your baby is eating.  If there is someone who can make baby food for you thats wonderful.  This article suggests starting with fruit.  The general thinking these days is to start with pureed vegetables.  This way baby will not develop a sweet tooth.  Introduce fruit later.

You can prepare food each time you feed baby for freshness.  Or, you can make a batch and freeze some for use later.  A convenient way to do this is to freeze the remainder in an ice cube tray.  Once frozen put your baby food cubes in a freezer bag with the name of what it is and the date made.  Keep it in the freezer until you are ready to use it.  Take it out and either let it melt, microwave it, or set your dish with the food in hot water to melt it more rapidly.  Remember to serve it at room temperature for baby.  This will avoid burning baby and she will be happy with it.

Freezing fruits and vegetables does not affect their nutritional value.  Proteins such as chicken, beef , or fish loose nutritional value when frozen.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/57-how-to-make-baby-food

With so many important firsts in a baby’s life, it’s easy to forget one of the most rewarding: baby’s first solid food. We’ve broken down those early foods into three categories, roughly correlated to a baby’s development (Stages 1, 2 and 3, also known as supported sitter, sitter and crawler on the packaging of premade foods). Of course, all babies develop differently: You’ll want to look for milestones — sitting up alone, grasping at the grape you’re eating — and consult your pediatrician as you embark on your baby food journey.

Stage 1 (4 to 6 Months)

When is your baby ready to eat solid food? It depends. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests 6 months, but some doctors say 4 months. In general, you’ll want to start giving babies simple purées when they start showing interest in what you’re eating, and when they can hold their heads up and sit with some support. Your pediatrician can confirm if your child is ready.

 

1. Try starting with your favorite vegetables like carrots and sweet potato, as babies take to them more easily. During those first few weeks of solid foods, little ones will eat only a few tablespoons of the purées to supplement their breast milk or formula feedings. They may not like them at first, but introduce each purée over a few feedings until they adapt. As they grow, they will graduate to larger servings: 2 ounces, 4 ounces and more.   Makes ½ cup.

2.  VEGETABLE PURÉES

Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes are a wonderful first vegetable for baby, as they can be made sweet or savory. You can also swap in zucchini, squash, beets or pumpkin in this recipe. Roast them as you would for yourself, but discard skins, and keep in mind that these vegetables may roast in less time.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, roast a sweet potato until tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Cut in half and scoop out flesh. Place it in a blender with 4 ounces formula or breast milk and purée until smooth. Let cool and serve at room temperature or freeze for later use. Makes about 1¼ cups.

Here, as with the apple purée, you can add dried spices like turmeric, ginger and cinnamon to taste as your baby gets older.

Broccoli: Use this technique for other vegetables that you like steamed, too, like cauliflower, carrots or peas.

With a paring knife, cut off and discard the tough stalks of a ½-pound head of broccoli and divide into small florets. Place broccoli in a steamer basket over a large saucepan with a thin layer of boiling water. Steam, covered, for 6 to 7 minutes, until tender. Remove broccoli from steamer and let cool. Place broccoli in a blender with 6 ounces formula or breast milk, and purée until smooth. Let cool and serve at room temperature or freeze for later use. Makes about 1½ cups.

3.  FRUIT PURÉES.

Apple: Applesauce at its smoothest, this recipe is a great first solid to give to your baby. You can treat pears, apricots and nectarines the same way.

In a small saucepan, bring ½ cup purified water to a boil. Add 1 peeled, cored and cubed apple and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender, add ¼ cup purified water and purée until smooth. Let cool and serve at room temperature or freeze for later use. Makes 1 cup.

As your baby grows older, you can make this sauce chunkier and add dried spices like turmeric, ginger and cinnamon to taste.

Prune: Babies get constipated. Talk with your pediatrician about the possibility of adding a mall amount of water to baby’s diet if this is the case.  Prunes can help get their still-developing digestive systems moving, especially as they try new, unfamiliar foods.

In a small saucepan, bring ½ cup purified water and 8 pitted prunes to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a blender and purée until it reaches desired consistency. Let cool and serve at room temperature or freeze for later use.

 

4. GRAIN PURÉE

Using a blender, pulverize 3 or 4 cups of brown rice, oats or barley to a fine powder. Reserve ¼ cup and store the rest of the ground cereal in an airtight container to make more purées later. In a saucepan, bring ½ cup purified water to a boil. Add reserved ¼ cup ground cereal. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and let mixture cool slightly. Transfer purée to a blender. On a low setting, whir until smooth, adding ¼ cup breast milk or formula. Let cool and serve at room temperature. Makes about ¾ cup.

— Adapted from “The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet” by Karin Knight and Tina Ruggiero (Fair Winds, 2010)

Staying Cool

Summer is Here!!!!! COVED Please Leave

With the advent of warm days and sunshine we in California anticipate the destruction of COVED 19.  We will pray diligently that it does not return!!!  Gratefully the scientific data discovered post COVED onset clarifies the unsubstantiated computer models of two months ago.  Rather that 2M deaths the US has skated by on what is anticipated to be 60,000.  Though these deaths are real and difficult, they are in line with the flu strains and death numbers we suffer each year with whichever flu strain appears.

Watch:                  Dr. Erickson COVID-19 Briefing

Two doctors, who have administered more than 5,000 coronavirus tests, say that the coronavirus is similar to the seasonal flu, the quarantine is not helping with building coronavirus immunity, and they are confident that reopening is safe.

The two frontline physicians, Dan Erickson and Artin Massihi, are the owners of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield, California. The doctors are presenting medical advice about the coronavirus that is far different than what health officials have been saying over the past weeks.

Last week, the doctors gave a news conference to deliver their COVID-19

“Do we need to still shelter in place? Our answer is emphatically no,” Erickson said. “Do we need businesses to be shut down? Emphatically no. Do we need to test them and get them back to work? Absolutely.”

Accelerated Urgent Care has tested 5,213 patients within the county, which makes up half of all testing done in Kern County. “Now that we have the facts, it’s time to get back to work,” Erickson said.

7 Ways To APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE Right Now

Gratitude is a divine emotion that never does harm but always does so much good.

1. Make gratitude part of your everyday routine.

Practicing gratitude will pave you the way to happiness and success in life. Moreover, it will help you fall in love with the life you already have. And most importantly, it will make you realize that you don’t need to wait for something magical to happen, or for something to be taken away from you, to appreciate the here and now. You can start practicing gratitude by writing down a few things you are thankful for every day, or just thinking about how lucky you are to be alive the moment you wake up every morning. It takes a little effort, but it might change your life forever. A grateful mind is a happy mind.

2. Acknowledge the moment.

Being present and truly living in the moment is what we’re really missing out on. But if you just stop and look around you, you will see there are so many amazing things happening before your eyes. All you have to do is acknowledge them. Once you start paying attention to all the little magical things around you, you will realize how much you’ve been missing out on all this time. The key is to learn how to appreciate what you have before time makes you appreciate what you had.

3. Smile even if there’s nothing to smile about.

A smile is the best accessory you can possibly possess. It lifts you up and makes you look incredibly gorgeous. When you’re feeling down, and nothing seems to go right, instead of listening to sad songs, try putting on a wide smile. Think about all the things you should be thankful for, and smile as much as you can. It’s a simple thing to do, but it will surely ease your mind and help you get through your struggles.

4. Have a quality inner monologue.

No, this doesn’t mean to isolate yourself and go crazy. This means to take a step back and ask yourself valuable questions about where you are in life and what makes your existence so amazing. Search for ways to improve your life by improving yourself as a human being first. Ask yourself what can you do to make your favorite people happy. Figure out what truly matters in your life and learn how to cherish it. Make this inner monologue count.

5. Stop comparing yourself to other people

ntntNext time you start comparing yourself to someone else, remember this: The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s greener where you water it. Looking at what your friend has and being envious and angry that you don’t have it is only making you feel unsatisfied and pettish. You don’t need such kind of negative energy around you. There are too many people in this world having less than you, so you might as well be grateful for the things you have instead of beating yourself up for what you don’t.

6. Let go of negativity.

In order to be appreciative of the life you already have, you first need to let go of all the hatred and bitterness in your mind. All these negative thoughts and emotions are weighing you down while consuming all of your energy. There is no place for such troublesome vibes in your orbit. Forgive the people that hurt you, stop blaming the circumstances you could never control, and move on. Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems.

7. Be true to yourself.

Never forget to be grateful for yourself too. Always stay true to your beliefs, and be there for yourself when times get rough. No one knows you better than your own self. Know that as long as you believe in yourself, and focus your energy on appreciating life, amazing things are coming your way.

Every single heartbeat you have is a precious gift you need to cherish. After all, you never know when your heart will beat for the very last time. So, do the things that make your soul shine, love the people in your circle as much as you can, and make every little moment count. In the blink of an eye, it could all be taken away. So be grateful. Always.

Purging Is Conquering Procrastination!!!

Unless you have recently moved there are no doubt neglected places in your home, garage, or backyard filled with junk!  For some of us it could even be our cars!  You know, those forgotten bags in the back of you trunk!  You can not imagine how good it feels when you have purged the clutter!  I encourage you to take a little time and assess your stuff.  This list gives you some great ideas on where to start.  Disposing of your unneeded stuff will feel marvelous!  This can be your ‘Spring Cleaning’.  Pass on the things you no longer need.  You will be so happy you did so!

Happy cleaning,  JUDY

 

Working Through Your Frustration

At this time the world is dealing with many unknowns.  The future is uncertain.  If you are due to have your baby soon there are many questions floating around in your head.  The premier hospital in our area is only allowing one person into the delivery room with laboring women.  No longer are they allowed to have one person for part of their labor and another later.  One person is all that is permitted.  Of course this is to limit the possibility of COVID 19 being introduced into the hospital.  This means other family members and friends can not participate.  Very disappointing if you had other plans.

This will be short lived.  COVID 19 will diminish and life will move on.  I am sorry you will be impacted by this virus in this manner.  My greatest concern for you is that you can come to grips with this and find success.  The situation is not perfect.  However, once you have delivered your baby and been released from the hospital others can be with you.  The extra precautions at this time are for your protection despite their inconvenience.

Below find a chart talking about your personal response to this crisis.  Think about where you are in the process.  Finding peace in you own heart regarding these matters is the most important thing.  As you welcome you’re baby you want to be in a healthy state of mind.

Hugs and Kisses on your Journey,  JUDY

Thoughts For Your Birth Experience

As you think about the birth of your baby what comes to mind?  There are many different choices and options.  Most in America decide to deliver their babies in hospitals.  There are a ton of reasons why this is the primary choice:  safety, resources available, doctor’s preference…..  If your baby is born in a hospital and there are any extenuating circumstances you are in the best place to provide care.  Yet, there are negative points to delivering in a hospital:  more types of infection present, the thought that you might be forced into medical procedures you prefer not to go through, the rules at the hospital, etc.

Another possibility is a birthing center.  Such a center is available to provide less stringent rules and a less regimented environment.  Because only baby deliveries happen in these places there is less opportunity for crossover germs and the staff is trained in less institutional measures.  A midwife oversees the delivery and the client has more input in the process.  A back up hospital is selected in case there is a need.

A third option is a home birth.  A midwife would be present for labor and delivery.  Dad and mom have met with and become comfortable with the midwife they choose.  They ask questions and prepare everything as the midwife suggests.  Some insurance companies shy away from home births.  Before you decide which birth experience you wish, check with your insurance company to see which they cover.

For any of these birth options I strongly suggest you have an advocate with you.  This is someone who knows you well.  A person with whom you have discussed your thoughts and wishes for your birth experience.  It is someone you trust to make decisions for you when you are in labor and not thinking clearly.  It is best if this advocate is not your birth partner or spouse.   In the long shot that there are difficult decisions to make you want your advocate to be someone who has ‘been there done that’.  In other words, someone who has delivered a baby or two themselves.  This person understands your thoughts and desires and is strong enough to represent your wishes to the medical staff present.  You and your partner are cognoscente and will make any major decisions.  This person will back you up and make things clear both to you and for you.  Certified birth doulas are specifically trained to do this.

If you have chosen to deliver at a hospital or a birthing center medical staff will be present.  You could bring a qualified friend or a birth doula with you.  A certified birth doula is trained to help you though the process of birth.  She will meet you during your pregnancy and talk through the preparation and birth process with you.  She will help you make choices for your birth plan and process ahead of time.

If you have chosen to deliver at home you will need to arrange for a mid-wife.  In my home state of California it is required by law that you have either a licensed midwife or a medical doctor at your delivery.  Other states may have other possibilities but I recommend you have either of these professionals with you for your protection and your baby’s.  Both an MD and a mid-wife will have a back up hospital ready incase there is a need.  Both are professionally trained to deliver babies and both should have extensive experience doing so.  Both an MD and a midwife will monitor your pregnancy, testing for problems and measuring the growth of your baby.  They will help you learn the possible due date of your baby and discuss delivery options with you.

Hopefully this has not been overwhelming for you.  If you are early in your pregnancy you need to be monitored by an Obstetrician or mid-wife for your protection.  No matter which mode of delivery you select walking through your pregnancy with a medically trained individual is vital.  I am happy to help you select such a professional if you need suggestions.

JUDY