Blueberries are a favorite fruit in my house during the summer months. Like my daughter before him, my son is a huge fan of the homemade baby foods that I lovingly prepare for him in my kitchen. When he turned six months old back in April, I already had a freezer full of nutritious and delicious purees ready for my son to try. In addition to blackberries and raspberries, one of the earliest fruits that I fed him was blueberries. Blueberries are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Although 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 a small container of blueberries and some fluoride-free baby water. After rinsing the blueberries in my sink, I combined the fruit in a glass bowl with some water and then cooked the mixture to tenderness in my microwave. I then allowed the cooked mixture to cool slightly before spooning the blueberries 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 puree 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? Do you make your own baby food? For a fun food combination for older babies, try mixing Swiss chard, kale, and blueberries with chia seeds and oatmeal.

Image Credits

Baby Water and Raw Blueberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Cooked Blueberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Blending the Cooked Blueberries © 2015 Heather Johnson
Homemade Blueberry Baby Food in Silicone Ice Cube Trays © 2015 Heather Johnson