A Dietitian's View

Therefore, having more control over what goes into baby's food by making it at home can be a real asset.

Before introducing solids, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Make sure baby is ready. Wait to introduce solids (including infant cereal) until your newborn is at least 6 months old. To safely progress to solids, infants need to develop necessary motor skills (holding their head up, developing the gag reflex, etc.), which occur typically around this time. In addition, although there is conflicting research, introducing solids too early could play a role in developing food allergies. Hence, it may be a good idea to err on the side of caution and wait until 6 months. Be sure to speak to your child's pediatrician and/or registered dietitian beforehand.

It is especially important to follow safe food-handling practices when preparing food for baby, as they are more vulnerable to germs. Thoroughly wash hands and equipment.

Prepare fresh fruits and vegetables by scrubbing, peeling and removing seeds and pits. For meat, always remove bones, gristle and fat.

Cook food in a small amount of water (use a steamer or steamer basket for best results) until it reaches a soft consistency, keeping excess water on hand for later use. After cooking, puree or mash cooked food to desired consistency, adding breast milk, formula or cooking liquid as needed. You can use a fork, potato masher, blender, food processor, strainer or a clean food mill if you have one on hand. If planning to use a small coffee grinder to mash food, choose one that has only been used for food (not coffee).

Finally, avoid adding herbs and seasonings until baby is at least 9 months old, while staying clear of salt, sugar and other sweeteners.

When made in larger batches, prepared food can be refrigerated for up to two days or kept frozen for up to six weeks. For easy freezing, pour baby food into ice cube trays, cover and transfer into dated freezer bags once frozen. The cubes will then allow you to prepare meals quickly, since they can be defrosted in the microwave, over low heat on the stove or overnight in the refrigerator. If baby food is left out for more than two hours, discard.

With the simplicity and healthfulness of creating your child's own baby food, why not venture into the world of baby culinary cuisine? For more information and baby-friendly recipes, pick up a copy of "Baby and Toddler Cookbook" by Rachel Anne Hill, or "Feeding Baby: Everyday Recipes for Healthy Infants and Toddlers" by Joachim and Christine Splichal.