#FEEDING Fresh is best!

Making fresh homemade baby food is easier than you think. What’s more, you’ll give your baby the best nutritional introduction to solids. Learn the basics here.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Fresh fruit and vegetables

• A pot

• A steaming basket

• A potato masher

• A rubber spatula

• A sieve

• Ice cube trays (look out for lidded ones)

• A hand blender (makes life easier, but not essential)

• Containers in which to store baby food. (Consol has some great glass options. Also look out for storage solutions from your favourite baby brand.)

WHAT YOU DO

Look at our recipes for some inspiration. All you need is fresh vegetables or fruit and a little water.

1 Wash and peel the vegetables or fruit (if necessary) and cut into pieces. Place in the steaming basket with a little water, bring to the boil and steam veg until soft. Skip this step for most fruits.

2 Reserve the cooking liquid, and mash the cooked veg or fruit. You can use a potato masher or fork to do this if you don’t have a blender. Then use a rubber spatula to press the puree through a sieve. This is only necessary if your baby does not like eating food with a little texture. Use a little of your cooking liquid to thin the puree if it’s too thick.

3 Transfer to small glass jars to store in the fridge, or spoon into ice cube trays to freeze portions.

4 Once frozen, transfer baby food cubes to a resealable plastic bag or container with a tight-fitting lid and return to freezer.

TIME TO EAT!

You can heat up the frozen puree in a microwave or in a bowl of boiling water.

1 Place a cube of frozen food into a glass container.

2 Allow to defrost in the fridge

(if possible), then reheat in the microwave on low heat – testing it every 10 to 15 seconds.

3 If you prefer not to use a microwave (or you’re nowhere near one), you can place the glass container into a bowl of boiling water to reheat. Stir every now and again until the puree is at room temperature.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

FROZEN The general consensus is that it’s safe to keep in the freezer for three months.

FRIDGE Use within 48 hours.