When to start preparing homemade baby meals?
Homemade baby meals can be introduced as early as 4 to 6 months, when your baby is ready for dietary diversification. At this age, it's important to start with simple, easy-to-digest foods, such as vegetable purées (carrots, zucchini) or fruit (apple, pear). Always consult your paediatrician before starting.
Which foods are best suited to baby's first purées?
The best foods for baby include
- Vitamin-rich vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini.
- Sweet fruit: apples, pears, bananas.
- Gluten-free cereals: rice, millet.
These foods should be steamed to retain their nutrients, then blended with a little water or breast milk/formula to obtain a smooth texture.
How to store homemade baby food?
Storing homemade baby meals is essential to guarantee their freshness and safety. Here are a few tips:
- Refrigerator: Purees can be stored for up to 48 hours in airtight containers.
- In the freezer: Use ice cube trays to portion meals. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags for up to 2 months.
- Labeling: Note the date of preparation to avoid using out-of-date meals.
What equipment is essential for preparing baby food?
To prepare healthy baby food, you'll need the following tools:
- A steamer to preserve food nutrients.
- A blender or food processor to obtain the right textures.
- Airtight containers to store meals.
- A food scale to measure portions accurately.
What foods should be avoided in baby meals?
Some foods are not suitable for babies because of their allergic risk or their salt and sugar content. Avoid the following
- Salt and added sugar: Overload baby's kidneys.
- Honey: Risk of botulism in children under 1.
- Whole nuts: Risk of choking.
- Ultra-processed products: Often contain harmful additives.
How do I introduce new flavors to baby food?
New flavors should be introduced gradually, so that your baby gets used to them:
- One food at a time: Introduce a new food every 3 days to detect any allergies.
- Evolving textures: Start with smooth purées, then move on to coarse purées and finally chunks.
- Mild spices: A pinch of cinnamon, cumin or basil can safely awaken your baby's palate.
How to ensure a balanced diet for baby?
A balanced baby meal should include :
- A source of carbohydrates: potatoes, rice or quinoa.
- Proteins: lean meat, fish or lentils.
- Healthy fats: a drop of vegetable oil such as olive oil.
- Fiber: a variety of vegetables and fruit.
These components promote harmonious growth and brain development.
Are homemade baby meals better than baby food?
Home-made meals offer several advantages:
- Fewer additives: You control the ingredients and avoid preservatives.
- Nutritional richness: Steaming preserves more vitamins.
- Adaptability: Homemade meals can be customized to your baby's specific tastes and needs.
However, industrial baby food also complies with strict standards and remains a practical alternative.
What are the signs that my baby is ready for diversification?
A baby is ready for solid foods when he :
- Sits up with good head support.
- Shows interest in food (tries to grab it).
- Loses the tongue thrust reflex, which allows him to manage solid foods in the mouth.
How many meals a day should a baby have?
The number of meals depends on your baby's age:
- 4 to 6 months: 1 to 2 purées a day in addition to milk.
- 6 to 9 months: 2 to 3 meals (vegetable purée + fruit).
- 9 to 12 months: 3 solid meals + 1 to 2 snacks (fruit or yoghurt).
Always adapt quantities to your baby's needs and appetite.
