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Quick Baby Food Recipes for a Happy, Healthy Child
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We all want our babies to be happy and healthy! Making your own baby food can be a great way to ensure your infant is getting the important vitamins and minerals they need to grow big and strong. All you need are some simple ingredients, a sharp knife, and a potato masher or fork.

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Being a caregiver is a busy job! If you’ve ever been interested in making your own baby food—but time in your schedule is limited—these tips can help. To save time, baby foods can be made in bulk using fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables and then frozen into individual servings in ice cube trays, plastic containers, or reclosable plastic baggies. Thaw out the portion when needed. Most foods can be frozen for up to three months!

Introducing your child to a broad range of foods and flavors can help them develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. It can start when they are babies, at around 6 months when you introduce their earliest solid foods. The recipes we’ve provided here are packed with important vitamins and flavors.

Sweet Potato With Cinnamon

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds (about 3 large) sweet potatoes

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet or in a shallow baking pan, and bake until soft, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  3. Let the sweet potatoes cool until they can be handled, then remove and discard the skin and put the potatoes in a bowl.

  4. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the sweet potatoes to a soft puree. Add the cinnamon, and mix well.

Carrots With Cilantro

Ingredients

  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Put the carrots in a saucepan, cover them with 2 inches of water, and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to medium, and cook uncovered, until easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.

  2. Drain the carrots, and transfer to a bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the carrots to a soft puree. Stir in the cilantro.

For more healthy recipes for your baby, toddler, or preschooler, download the free First 5 California cookbook.

Quick tip: If you’re welcoming a new baby to the world, First 5 California offers a free Kit for New Parents to all families in California. The free kit includes the Parent Guide, Numbers Touch-and-Feel book, What to Do When Your Child Gets Sick book, and more. Kits are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Simply sign up online to receive yours.

First 5 California
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