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Q. Is it okay to make my own baby food? I keep hearing that I’ll poison my baby.

Dr. Zibners' Answer:

Again, this one comes from my sister. My poor niece. Her mother isn’t a great cook. But that isn’t what’s important here. If you want to make your own baby food, for whatever reason, that is okay but there are a couple things to keep in mind. Firstly, whether you choose to prepare large batches of just single meals, cleanliness is next to Godliness. Use separate cutting boards for poultry, meat, and fruits and veg. Wash all utensils and knives thoroughly. Never put baby’s spoon directly into the prepared food but instead dole out small amounts into an individual serving bowl to decrease bacterial contamination. Make sure the consistency is correct for your baby’s developmental stage and that the foods are also appropriate. For example, honey and egg whites are best reserved for babies over 1 year of age. Also, some vegetables such as beets, spinach and collard greens can contain very high levels of nitrites which can be very dangerous for little ones. The commercial products are screened for nitrite levels but you can’t do that at home. In other words, just ask your pediatrician for a complete list of foods to avoid, use lots of soap and hot water, and have fun. Or just open a jar from the store. I’m really fine with either.

Dr. Lara Zibners, Nov 04, 2009

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