Homemade Baby Food is Cheaper!

I've been reminded again today why it is that I take a little extra time to make my own baby food for my infant. Not only do I know exactly what he is getting, but it is SO much cheaper!

I bought 2 lbs of carrots at Wal Mart for $1.66.

The whole process took me maybe 30 minutes (I don't count the time while the carrots were cooking and I could be doing other productive things).

I got about 40 oz of food out of this!

That is $.04 an oz! Can't buy pre-made food in the store at that price.

This is why I choose a little extra time in the kitchen. My son is worth it!

Comparing the cost of baby food

My son is 6 months old and he is eating about 3-4 ouces, usually twice a day.
He has tried apples, bananas, cantaloupe, pears, peaches, avocado, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes.
So far, everything has been homemade, and I'd like to keep it that way as loooooong as possible. I do not want him to realize the other stuff might be sweeter. I don't want him to learn the taste of preservatives yet.
I have been asked a few times recently if it is really worth the time. And if it actually does cost less, all factors included. For me, yes.
I have worked hard to find deals on fruits and vegetables, to buy them when they are on sale, make a lot and freeze the extra. I am not worried about buying ALL things organic, but some I do (same with our food).
I have also spent time at different stores and on line checking into what it would cost to buy baby food jars (taking into account when sales happen and how coupons would factor into the equation). I've done my research and I'm convinced. Not just from the cost perspective, but also in knowing that I am aware of exactly what I am putting in his mouth, and at least for now, I have control over that (except all the things he gets his hands on and puts in there when I am not looking...).
Here is a look at my most recent food: sweet potatoes.
I got them at Wal Mart when they were $.93/lb. I bought 2.97 lbs for a cost of $2.76. I wasn't totally sure how they would go over, so I didn't buy more at the time, but most likely will next time I go back to the store.
My husband did much of the work this time as I was out on a run and getting ready for a meeting (yes, dads can help too!).
The potatoes cook for a little over an hour (just took a few minutes to clean them and wrap them in foil before cooking at 400 degrees for a little over an hour).
They cooled for a bit. This is all time to be multitasking...
He peeled the skins very easily, chopped a little bit, added them to the processor, added some water as needed, and pureed away!
I should get about 16 feedings (comparable to stage 2 jar size amount) out of what was made. This works out to be $.04 per ounce! That is truly unbeatable! And this has been my experience. Total amount of actual work time? Maybe 30 minutes (probably exaggerating a little long here, but just in case you are a bit slower than me, not likely, but just in case).

I don't know how sure he is about it just yet, but i think I might mix it with some apples to begin with since he really likes the apples and this should help to adjust it to his likes but still get the vegetables.
I DEFinitely recommend making your own food!

WFMW - Thrifty Alternative

My son is a little young for this special edition of Works For Me Wednesday, but I still wanted to participate!! And I still think this is a great idea for keeping a young one occupied.

Ever keep old stuff lying around because there is an ever so slight possibility that you may one day use it? I do! And I love when I find new uses for things.

I saw someone else do this first, so I am not taking the creative credit for it, but I was very happy to have all materials on hand.

My son is 5 months. He loves grabbing at things. His coordination is not the best yet, but getting there. Because of this, he often grabs things and quickly loses them because he has not mastered the grip yet. Not so bad, but when he is playing in the car seat while in the back seat of the car, and I am driving, I cannot help him when he loses all his toys. And when we are out for a walk in the stroller, I don't want to stop every few seconds to pick up a toy. (I don't care that it falls, or that it might get dirty, or that he might put it back in his mouth. I just don't want to chase after a ball rolling down the hill, just to turn and see the stroller chasing me down the hill.)

So, GENIUS!



Took some old shower curtain holders, looped them together and added a toy (sometimes even two) to the end of it. Very easy to keep toys attached to car seat and stroller. PLUS, added benefit: he can now reach the toys SO much better!

I'm sure I could have found somewhere to buy something like this that would look much cooler, would have all the "stroller moms" jealous and would make my kid grow up to be an astronaut...but old shower curtain holders work just great for me!