Making Baby Food: Sweet Potatoes

I decided, after doing a little research online, that I wanted to make Hadley’s baby food.  By making it, not only do we save a lot of money, but I like knowing exactly what it is that’s going in her little tummy.  Not to mention, it’s super easy!  I thought I’d share a quick little tutorial for anyone else thinking they might want to make their own baby food! 

I started with just one sweet potato – I wanted to see how much one would make and whether or not Hadley liked them before I went overboard. 

• Pre-heat your oven to 400 (you can steam or boil these, or even stick them in the microwave, but I think the taste is better if they’re baked, and it makes clean-up a lot easier!)
• Wash and dry your sweet potato(s)
• Using a fork, poke holes all around the potato and wrap with foil

• Place the potato in the oven for about 55 minutes (until soft)
• Let cool for about 5 minutes, then slice in half

• Using a spoon, scrape the “meat” of the potato out (if it’s fully cooked, this should be really easy)

• Place the “meat” in a food processor or blender and add breastmilk or formula to thin to your desired consistency (I used a little over an ounce of breastmilk for this batch). 

• Place in whatever containers you choose to store in – I actually have a bunch of items coming in the mail that I ordered to make solids, but since they’re not here yet, I had to improvise.  I just used some silicone cupcake liners I had, measured with water how much they hold (approximately 2 ounces when filled 3/4 the way full), and scooped the puree into them!  I left one out to try tonight and stuck the other two in the freezer.  Once they were frozen, I just popped them into a Ziploc bag and labeled it with the name of the food and the date!  From what I’ve read, most homemade baby food will last about 3 months in the freezer. 

• In case you didn’t put 2 + 2 together, that one sweet potato that I baked made just over 6 ounces of puree.  With the amount Hadley is eating right now, that’s at least a weeks worth! 

In case you were wondering, I ordered one of these – it’s a silicone brownie-squares baking mold by Wilton.  I read some reviews and decided to get something like this rather than the ones made for baby food – that way, when we’re done with this stage, I can re-use this (plus it was cheaper!).   Each cavity holds about 1/2 an ounce, so I can just pop a couple squares in the microwave (or stick in a bowl with a lid if we’re going to be out and let them thaw on their own). 

If you’ve made your own, I’d love to see your recipes and here how it went! 

Sweet potatoes didn’t go so well for us the first time around… but I think she was a little bit tired, too, so next time we’ll try earlier in the day