Baby foods and recipes from stage 1 to 8.

Stage 1 Fruits:

Apples | Avocados | Apricots | Bananas | Mango | Nectarines & Peaches | Papaya | Pears | Plums & Prunes | Pumpkin
Stage 1 Veggies:
Beans (Green) | Carrots | Peas | Sweet Potato | Squash
Stage 1 Grains:
Rice | Oatmeal | Barley
What is a “Stage 1” baby food?
(4) 6-8 Months – Baby Let’s Begin to Eat
“Baby” cereal and soft cooked thinly pureed fruits and veggies should be baby’s first solid food experiences. Single ingredients only and at a space of 4 days apart with introducing each new food. You may skip the cereal and begin with a fruit like avocado or begin with a veggie like butternut squash or sweet potato.
Stage 1 Baby Food is a term that applies to baby foods that are highly pureed and strained. These foods are appropriate for babies who are just being introduced to solid foods. The foods in this range are targeted to babies who are between the ages of (4) 6 to 8 months old.
Stage 1 baby foods are thin and runny and are foods that are the lowest on the allergy scale. Stage 1 baby foods are typically those foods that are also more easily digested by a tiny tummy. Some of these foods include, sweet potatoes, butternut or winter squash and carrots. The term “Stage 1” was introduced by the Beechnut Baby Food Company to let parents know that these foods are appropriate for their infants who are just being introduced to solid foods.
There is a growing trend of parents skipping “stage 1” foods that are thin and runny purees. Many parents are turning to a more baby-led weaning approach and are offering soft cooked small bits of age-appropriate foods as they begin to introduce solid foods. Your baby might just be interested in this feeding approach!
Stage 1 Homemade Baby Food Recipes – Cereal, Fruits & Veggies
Rice Cereal
1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
Step 1: Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
Step 2: Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
Step 3: Serve warm.

Oatmeal Cereal

1/4 c. of ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor
3/4 c. water
Step 1: Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
Step 2: Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
Step 3: Serve warm.

Barley Cereal

1/4 c. ground barley (barley ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
Step 1: Bring liquid to a boil. Add the barley and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly
Step 2: Mix in formula or breast milk or juice and add fruits if desired
Step 3: Serve warm
lightbulb Did you know that baby’s first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal? Many pediatric resources are acknowledging the fact that avocado, banana and sweet potato make great first foods for baby. For More Information About Homemade Baby Cereal, visit Our Homemade Baby Cereal FAQ
Feeding Baby Stage 1 Baby Foods
lightbulb Start out slowly, preparing a tablespoon sized portion of whatever food you have chosen to begin with. Some parents begin offering their babies solid foods by using their (clean and washed) finger as a spoon. They say that this helps their babies take to solid foods because the “new” spoon and the “new” food all at once seem to confuse baby.
You will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. Don’t fret if your baby does not “finish” a meal.
Apricot Puree 6-8 months+ (using dried un-sulphured apricots)
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium
1 pound dried apricots
2 cups of white grape juice, pear or apple juice. Plain water is ok but the puree may be a bit bitter.
Step 1: Bring liquid and fruit to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Reserve any left over liquid to use for the puree
Step 3: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
Step 4: Add the reserved liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree or
Step 5: Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up
Step 6: Note: puree will not freeze solid, but into slightly soft/slightly frozen cubes.
lightbulbHave you ever Baked Fruits? If not, I highly recommend it. Baked fruits are naturally sweet, soft and oh so very yummy.
Apples/Applesauce (4)6 months+ Try Gala, Braeburn, Rome or Macs)
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium
This recipe is written so that you may use any amount of apples you wish.
Step 1: Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
Step 2: Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
Step 3: Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir, T hat’s It. Easy Peasy.
Step 4: Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 – 7
Step 5: Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
Step 6: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
Step 7: Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
Step 8: Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the
Step 9: Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes.
You may also buy an “Adult” jar of Natural applesauce from your local grocers. Make sure you buy Natural Applesauce however. Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water or just apples. A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their Natural Applesauce; this is fine.
Avocado (yes, avocado is a fruit.) (4)6 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium
Step 1: Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado – do not cook
Step 2: Cut “meat” out and mash with a fork
Step 3: There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked.

Baked Apples 6-8 months+

Step 1: Core apple and leave peel on
Step 2: Place a wee bit of butter (if baby is ready for or has had dairy) on the inside of the cored apple (sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the apple if your desire and if baby is ready for or has had cinnamon)
Step 3: Place in a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples – about an inch of water
Step 4: Bake in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes or until tender; be sure to check on the water level.
Step 5: Once baked, either cut apple into little bits and serve as a finger food or mash as directed above in the Apples/Applesauce recipe.

Banana Applesauce Mush (4)6 months+

1 apple
1 ripe banana
Step 1: Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
Step 2: Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
Step 3: Boil until tender; be sure to check on the water level.
Step 4: Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency or you can puree in an appliance as shown above
Step 5: Peel a ripe banana and mash in a bowl with a fork (heating in the microwave for approximately 20 seconds will soften the banana up if needed)
Step 6: Add applesauce to the banana and sprinkle with wheat germ* or crushed cheerios*
Step 7: Puree if necessary but mashing with a potato masher will typically get this mix smooth
*8 months+
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Bananas (4)6 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium
1 Banana or however many you wish
Step 1: Peel ripe banana – do not cook
Step 2: Place banana in a food processor/food mill or blender and puree
Step 3: You can also mash the banana in a bowl using a regular fork – heat in microwave for 25 seconds prior to mashing for extra softness
Step 4: Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.
Mango Madness 6-8months+
Vitamins: A (1262 IU in one cup), C, E, K, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium

1 Ripe Mango

Step 1: Peel, de- seed and chunk the mango
Step 2: Place mango chunks in a blender or food processor
Step 3: Add Formula, Breast Milk, or Water and blend or mash until the proper consistency for your Infant is achieved.
Cut the mango lengthwise, along the side of the mango pit. You will be cutting off its flesh from one side then repeating the same process on the other side. You will then cut the ends off the mango pit.
Cut the remaining flesh from the pit. Use a small sharp knife peel the skin from the flesh. Dice or cube as desired. It is easier to make your cubes/dices prior to removing the skin. Make sure you don’t cut through it. Once you have made your cube/dice “pattern” simply turn the skin skin inside out and slice the pieces away.
*Mango does not need to be cooked as it is typically introduced at an age where baby can tolerate raw fruits. Mango may be steamed to tender and then mashed if you prefer without harming it.
You may use mango as a great Baby Finger Foods. Simply peel, de-seed and then cut into dices or chunks that are manageable for your baby. You may wish to coat the mango pieces with “cheerio dust”, wheat germ or another cereal “dust” to help baby easily pick up the bits.
Papaya 6-8months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Calcium

1 ripe papaya

Step 1: Peel, de-seed and chunk the papaya
Step 2: Place papaya chunks in a blender or food processor
Step 3: Add formula, breast milk, or water and blend or mash until the proper consistency for your Infant is achieved.
Some parents who have infants with sensitive tummies will give fruits a gentle steaming to help break down the sugars and fibers for easier digestion. If you feel this is the case for your infant, chunk the papaya and then steam for 5-10 minutes until very soft.
Pears, Plums, Peaches and Nectarines too
Pear (Great for Constipation.) (4)6 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium
Step 1: Peel and cut into chunks so as to avoid the little seed portion.
Step 2: Steam gently until tender if baby is under 6 months.
Step 3: Place in a blender/food processor and puree until smooth; you may be able to just use a fork!
Step 4: Use the leftover cooking water if needed but Pears tend to be very runny and watery without adding liquid.
Step 5: Add some baby cereal to thicken if needed.
Plums (4)6-8 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium
2-3 ripe plums
Step 1: Peel and pit the plums
Step 2: Cut into chunks
Step 3: Steam until tender in a scant amount of water if baby is under 6 months.
Step 4: Puree using the leftover cooking liquid.
You may need to mix in another fruit as plum purée has a tendency to be rather tart and/or bitter
Peaches (4)6-8 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium
You may steam or bake peaches; these methods work for nectarines, plums and pears as well. I HIGHLY recommend giving baked peaches a try at least once. You will find they are more tasty when baked.

Steam Peaches – Method 1

Step 1: Scrub fruit clean and carve an X into 1 side of the fruit
Step 2: Place X side down in a pan with an inch of water
Step 3: Bring water to a boil and steam until soft and tender
Step 4: Peel skin from fruit and remove pits and/or seeds
Step 5: Move to step #6 below

Steam Peaches – Method 2

Step 1: Peel fruit
Step 2: Pit the peach
Step 3: Cut the peach into dices
Step 4: Steam until soft and tender then
Step 5: Move to step #6 below