Best Recipes of Baby Food

Making your own baby food is easy, fast, and saves money.

It also means you know exactly what you’re feeding your baby, and it can even be more nutritious than buying it in the store.

First and foremost, make sure your baby is ready for solid foods.

Be aware of common allergens and gas-inducing foods.

Common allergens include eggs, milk, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.

Honey is also best avoided the first year because it can cause botulism.

Wait until your baby is ten to twelve months old before trying gas-inducing foods such as beans, broccoli, onions, fruit juice, wheat, cauliflower, garlic and dairy.

“It is best to check with a pediatrician before introducing these foods into your baby’s diet,” says Middleberg.

Choose organic produce whenever possible.

“Babies have smaller digestive systems and body masses, so they can handle less toxins, like pesticides, than small children or adults can,” Middleberg says.

If buying organic produce isn’t realistic for your family, try to avoid the most pesticide-laden foods, aka The Dirty Dozen Plus. Go with the Clean Fifteen instead.

And, finally, make sure the foods you’re making are age appropriate.