I exclusively breastfed both my kiddos for the first six months of life and then started introducing solid foods through homemade baby food that I cooked up in my kitchen. In addition to individual foods, I love coming up with fun food combos for my infant son. Both blueberries and apples are healthy and exciting first foods to introduce to a young baby. Plus both combine to create a fun flavored applesauce.
Although high in natural sugars, apples are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium and are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. I also left the apple skin intact because the skin of apples helps protect against cancer more and provides more nutrients than the rest of the apple. Blueberries are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Although also high in natural sugars, the sweet berries are also a good source of dietary fiber and a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. Blueberries are also an excellent source of natural antioxidants.
To make my homemade baby food, I started with blueberries, apples, and fluoride-free baby water. After washing the blueberries and apples in my sink, I combined the blueberries in a glass bowl with some water and then cooked the mixture to tenderness in my microwave. I also sliced the apples before also combining the slices with some additional water and then cooking to tenderness. After allowing the cooked fruits to cool slightly, I spooned some of both into my Baby Bullet. After adding some extra water, I blended the mixture into a thin puree. (For older babies, use less water for a thicker mash.) Once puréed, I spooned the blueberry applesauce into freezer containers and ice cube trays for easier freezing. After the baby food froze, I moved the frozen cubes into freezer safe baggies for easier storage. Now as my son needs fruit, I simply thaw a few cubes in the refrigerator or microwave.
Does your child like blueberries or apples? Do you make your own baby food?
Image Credits
Baby Water and Raw Blueberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Apples in a Colander in the Sink © 2013 Heather Johnson
Cooked Blueberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Cooked Apple Slices in a Bowl © 2013 Heather Johnson
Homemade Apple and Blueberry Baby Food in Silicone Ice Cube Trays © 2015 Heather Johnson