Homemade Baby Food: Fruits

Feeding your baby fruit and vegetables is a fun milestone for both baby and parents!  Making homemade baby food is a fun way for parents to save money and serve wholesome foods.  This post is the third in my homemade baby food series and focuses on fruits.

Your baby is eating vegetables like a pro, now it's time to move on to fruits!  Most people recommend starting your baby on vegetables first so they don't prefer the sweeter taste of fruits and refuse vegetables in the future.  However, you must do what is best for you and your baby!

I love fruits, and I have definitely found that Summer shares that love!  When I am eating a banana she often opens her mouth for some too!  Since bananas are so soft, I just pinch off a small piece and feed it to her.  Most other fruits she gets in a puree for now.  I have a feeling it won't be long before she wants actual pieces instead though!

I hope you're enjoying this series about homemade baby food.  I love making food for Summer and I've had a lot of fun trying new tastes and textures with her!  Not only does she get the benefit of fresh foods, I feel good about knowing exactly what is in the food she eats.  Plus, I am saving money by preparing food at home.  (Note: some fruits are cheaper to buy in baby food form versus making it yourself.  Purchasing in season fruit helps to cut down on the cost.)

When preparing your baby's food, you can use fresh, canned, or frozen fruit.  Unlike vegetables, most fruits do not need to be cooked before they are pureed and served to your baby.  If you're working with a hard fruit, like apples, I have found it's easier to cook them until soft before pureeing. Otherwise, as long as your fruit is ripe, it should puree without a problem.  After pureeing the fruit, reserve the amount you will be serving.  Then pour the remaining amount into your storage containers.

When you're ready to serve the fruit, thaw it at room temperature or microwave it for a few seconds.  If you're heating food for your baby, be sure to test it first to make sure the temperature is appropriate.  I usually feed Summer 3 or 4 blocks of food per meal.  Your baby may want more or less depending on their dietary needs.

Bananas

1 banana yields approximately 6 blocks of baby food.

Cut bananas into quarters and freeze in a freezer bag.  When you're ready to serve, allow the banana to thaw and mash with a fork.

Alternatively, cut bananas into quarters.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

Peaches

Peel and remove pit from the ripe fruit.  Cut into cubes.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

You can also use canned peaches (I prefer fruit in juice).  Drain the juice and puree the fruit.  One (14.5 ounce) can of peaches makes 15 blocks of baby food.

Pears

Peel and remove seeds from the ripe fruit.  Cut into cubes.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

You can also use canned pears (I prefer fruit in juice).  Drain the juice and puree the fruit.  One (14.5 ounce) can of pears makes 12 blocks of baby food.

Strawberries

Wash and hull strawberries.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

Mangoes

1 mango yields approximately 9 blocks of baby food.

Cut mangoes into cubes.  Directions here.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

Avocados

1 avocado yields approximately 8 blocks of baby food.

Cut avocado into cubes.  Directions here.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

Apples

Peel and core apples.  Cut into pieces and cook until soft.  Puree in a blender or food processor.

Homemade Baby Food Series
The Basics
Fruits