5 Reasons why You Should be Making Your Own Baby Food
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First things first, let me start off by sharing that I am a crunchy mama. What is that? It’s a term for those of us granola moms who prefer to limit over processed, chemical-laden, genetically modified junk and opt for a more natural approach in areas such as self-care, food choices, and lifestyle.
Sounds good, right?
Let me say that I have been this way for years, but even more so after researching the areas that my babe with designer genes, (Down Syndrome) may struggle.
When Cedar was born many of the medical interventions that came from blood draws, NICU and PICU visits and layovers were completely out of my control. However, there are things that are in my control, and his diet is one of them.
I made my own baby food for my other kiddos and of course, I planned on making Cedar’s too. The thing is, I think that it is even more important for our kiddos with designer genes than it even was for my typical children.
Here’s why:
Children with Down Syndrome can have a propensity towards gastrointestinal problems.
They get “stopped up” sometimes. Constipation can be a battle for them, however, when I make my own baby food I can add what he may need, if he needs extra fiber, I can add flax meal or prunes. If he is struggling the other direction, I can add bananas and rice or “binding” foods. The great thing is that I have control over what goes into him so I can help modify his diet whenever necessary. You know the other thing?
I can keep out what I don’t want him to have. I don’t want added sugar, dyes, or chemical preservatives and by making my own baby food, I can avoid all that.
“Yes, but this is expensive, right?” Ah, but that is where you are wrong.
“But…it takes too much time to make your own baby food…” Wrong again.
Here are 5 reasons why you should be making your own baby food
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No preservatives
I mean zilch, zero, nada. Your baby is eating whole foods only this way and this is the absolute healthiest option for all of us, especially babies. When you make your own food you don’t need to put in preservatives because your baby’s food will not be sitting on a shelf somewhere for months or years at a time. If you want something in that cute little container, put it in, if you don’t, keep it out. You simply make it, and freeze it.
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Total Control
Did I mention that being a special needs mama can leave a girl feeling “out of control” especially when it comes to the medical side of things? By making my own food, I am in total control. If we need more fiber, flax meal and leafy veggies can be added. If more protein is needed, I simply blend in some quinoa. I can control the sweetness level (adding fruits to vegetables) and I can control the lack of seasonings (no added sodium here).
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It just takes 30 minutes
No, I am totally not kidding here. I can use the product I have most recently fallen in love with, the Baby Bullet BSR-0801N Turbo Food Steamer
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I feel good about it
I feel like I am helping my little guy by feeding him all organic, healthy food that I prepared for him. We also garden here (though you totally don’t have to) so I know from start to finish what my little one is getting to eat. If you don’t garden, simply buying 2-3 organic fruits and veggies is all it takes. I can make fancy gourmet blends (think kiwi, banana, pear and quinoa) or I can go simple (no fuss sweet potatoes).
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It saves big money
Really, I mean it. My older kids even get in on it because I buy some refillable food pouches (like the kind that stores charge $2-$3 each for) and both the baby and the older ones have snacks. I bought a baby bullet several years ago so it was a one time cost. I then just add our regular grocery food into the mix when preparing food for my little one.
Another good reason I’ve heard that baby’s that get real food early are better eaters later! I’ve done both before and I’m planning on doing real food with Caton too, for many of the same reasons you mentioned 🙂
Good day! Great reasons mentioned above, but one of the main reasons I try my hardest to make my 10 month olds meals in my own kitchen is because children who eat all those processed junk food and added sugar jar foods tend to put on a lot of unhealthy weight and have a high chance of becoming obese later on in life. Having stuggled with a lot of extra weight in my teenage years, obesity is something I want to be very careful about with my children..
Tc!
Sakina, You are so right. This is a serious problem with children who have Down Syndrome, they already have a propensity towards being overweight due to lower metabolic rates.
These are fantastic! One thing that’s important to me why we should make our own food is knowing what’s going to be in it. My son has such a sensitive tummy that if I make his own food, I’d know what’s in it and I can begin a process of elimination.
Tiffany, absolutely, just like Rachel mentioned above!
This is my first kiddo but I always wanted to make my own baby food when the time came. It seems like the baby bullet would really help with helping keep my designer baby well fed and “crunchy”.
This is my first kiddo but I always wanted to make my own baby food when the time came. It seems like the baby bullet would really help with helping keep my designer baby well fed and “crunchy”.
Charys, it definitely does!!!
So enjoyed the blog. I guess I have a little control issues 😜 — really, would like to try this out. My Hadassah is 6 months. We have been sampling some foods to discover she is breaking out in rashes on her temples. I’ve switched baby food brands to see if different. I wonder if I made my own, if I would encounter the same issues? Her breakouts tend to be worse with fruits and carrots…. hoping that this will not lead to more issues. Also, to mention Hadassah was an IDM (Infant of Diabetic Mother) born at 34 weeks, 3 days and spent 6 weeks, 1 day in the NICU learning to nurse and bottlefeed without without choking and stopping her breathing. Thankfully, today she nurses well and is growing good. Would love to add the bullet system to her ongoing health and wellness ….. not to mention our budget 💰
Thanks for your generosity!!!!!
Rachel,
I think that by making your own food for Hadassah you would be able to better eliminate and therefore determine what foods she might be more sensitive too. It really is easy to do and you would also be in total control of any issues with cross contamination (such as various fruits/veggies cross contaminating one and other in a manufacturing plant). Best of luck on the drawing!
My little guy hasnt started on foods just yet. He’s still on that good ole breastmilk but I have started thinking about his eating and I have fallen in love with home remedies and healthier options for him. I want him to have the very best and looking into what I want to feed him as actually made me look into what my other children are eating. It’s definitely a chain reaction and winning this bullet would be a game changer.
I never had one of these and wished I did! They certainly would have made making our own baby food easier.
I love your point that you can add in what your baby needs. We always added a vitamin supplement, Nutrivene D, to Dianna’s baby food. It’s a bit harder to get it in her now that she is older.
Thank you got this information. I can’t wait to start making Zane’s food!!!