This article is part of our series, Money Saving Tips For New Moms. You can read the previous article, “10 Freebies for New Moms,” here!

As you stroll down the baby food aisle at the store, you’ll notice that the prices of baby food are skyrocketing. It’s hard to believe that something so simple can cost so much! However, if you continue strolling down to the produce aisle, you’ll notice that you can purchase fruits and veggies for the fraction of the cost of baby food. It’s possible to be frugal and Save Money by Making Your Own Baby Food! Here are some tips to get you started!

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Not only does making your own baby food save you money, but it gives you added peace of mind. You know exactly what’s going into the food that your baby is eating, with no weird additives or unpronounceable chemicals added to the mix. You could even use 100% organic fruits and veggies if you wanted to!

Save Money by Making Your Own Baby Food

Buy in Bulk: The great thing about baby food is that you can make it and freeze it, so feel free to buy fruits and veggies in bulk. Using ice cube trays is one way to make your life easier after you have prepped the baby food. Simply pour the baby food into the ice cube trays (ice cube trays with lids can be handy), freeze it, and then pull out 1-2 “cubes” when you’re ready to feed your baby.

Use a Cheap Blender: There are tons of different “baby food” makers advertised all over the place. The truth is that you do not need a fancy blender to make baby food. You can use a food processor or you can even cook the food over the stove and use a masher. Don’t turn making baby food into something that’s harder or more expensive than it needs to be.

Bring the Baby Food with You: If you’re a busy mom, who is worried about how convenient it is to make your own baby food, try the following: Buy a few cheap containers from the dollar store. Pull out what baby food you want or need in the morning and then put it in the container before you leave in the morning. The food will be easily thawed by the time you need to use it. You don’t need fancy baby food jars to make baby food convenient for yourself or your baby.

Homemade Baby Food

Here is the basic recipe for making your own baby food! Keep in mind that you can sub fresh and frozen most times.

1. Steam/cook the fruit or vegetable. Let cool and reserve the liquid you cooked the fruit or vegetable in. Add additional water if necessary.
2. Puree the fruit or vegetable in a food processor or blender. Add the reserved water to achieve an applesauce-like consistency.

3. Pour into ice cube trays. Freeze.
4. Remove from ice cube trays and put into a plastic freezer bag to store.
5. Place cubes in plastic containers and thaw in the refrigerator. Serve to your baby.

Here’s are the specifics for the homemade baby foods displayed below:

Apples: Peel and core, then steam on stove top. Puree with reserved liquid. Freeze.
Bananas: Puree and add water to achieve desire consistency. It will brown. Don’t worry, it still tastes delicious.

Acorn Squash: Wash. Slice in half. Remove and discard seeds. Place cut side down in a microwave-safe dish, add about 1″ of water and microwave, 10-15 minutes or until a fork placed in the center easily pierces the squash. Reserve water in the dish. Cool. Scoop the flesh, discard the skins. Puree adding reserved water until the consistency of applesauce.
Frozen Peas: Cook according to package directions. Puree.

Peaches: Wash and slice. Remove the pit and discard. Steam on the stove top. Puree.

Frozen Carrots: Cook according to package directions. Puree.

So as you can see, making your own baby food is VERY frugal and super easy!

Do you have any tips for someone trying to make their own baby food? How do you make it as frugal and easy as possible?

Homemade Baby Food

Author: A Cultivated Nest

Print Recipe

Description

Use your baby’s favorite fruits and veggies in this simple recipe and make your own homemade baby food!

Ingredients

Fruits or vegetables

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Steam/cook the fruit or vegetable. Let cool and reserve the liquid you cooked the fruit or vegetable in. Add additional water if necessary.
Puree the fruit or vegetable in a food processor or blender. Add the reserved water to achieve an applesauce-like consistency.
Pour into ice cube trays. Freeze.
Remove from ice cube trays and put into a plastic freezer bag to store.
Place cubes in plastic containers and thaw in the refrigerator. Serve to your baby.

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

About Jess:

In 2010 I graduated from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana with a degree in Elementary Education. It was so hard to find a job, but I ended up working as a developmental therapist for about 9 months. I was also pregnant with our second child and I wanted to be home with my two boys. Well, fast forward 5+ years and here I am still writing. We’ve also welcomed two more children into our family. My husband and I have been married for 8.5 years, we tied the knot in 2007. My family is a huge reason why I work from home as a copywriter. I love the flexibility and everything that goes along with being self-employed. However, I also am very self-motivated and I enjoy a good challenge. If you think you’d love to work with me in 2016, I’d love to have you contact me at [email protected].

Save Money by Making Your Own Baby Food