Saving Money on Baby Food

Tips for Saving Money on Baby Food as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

Use A Hand Grinder To Make Your Own

I made our baby food; the only time I bought was when traveling, and couldn't be sure of ingredients. (The only baby food I did buy more often were the cereals--it was easier to be able to make the small quantities; and I also used them at times to thicken foods.)

I bought the hand-grinder, (around ten dollars) and used it every day. I would save out single ingredients (before mixing/seasoning, and so on: for example, if I was making chili, I would save some plain ground beef for the baby, as well as a few plain kidney beans). I was careful to read labels, and bought items with less salt, etc.) I didn't use salt, sugar, or other unnecessary ingredients.

I also kept a bag or two of plain veggies in the freezer, so I could have some veggies for her if we were having salad, or the like. For the "starch", I often used pastina or nuked a potato, and fork-mashed it.

I had a Tupperware divided dish that I used and made double quantities, so I could save some for the next day's lunch.

I did the ice cube tray thing early on, when we were just introducing foods, so that they might be eating all squash for a week. Later I did it occasionally so that I always had a convenient back up.

My father-in-law thought the grinder was the neatest thing he ever saw, when I first whipped it out at Thanksgiving dinner to grind some turkey and carrots. (She also had mashed potatoes that I gleaned from the kitchen before the butter and milk were added.) My mother-in-law tended to cook like I did--without salt, etc.; so it was always easy to get what we needed.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I also believe the varied textures of the foods made the adjustment to "real" foods seamless. My kids would eat anything I offered them.

One thing (speaking as a therapist): parents, please be reminded that it can take your baby up to 12 times to try a new food before they will accept a new flavor. Don't offer it once or twice, then stop, because they didn't accept it! (That is how we get kids with a repertoire of four or five things they'll eat!)

By Jill

Tips On Buying And Making Food

If you are buying food. I always went with the cheaper brands and lots of coupons. I tried the whole baby food making but I work full time and could not keep up with my daughter. So when she was at the sitter, she ate jarred food and at home we made homemade baby food. I used the book "Super Baby Foods" http://www.superbabyfood.com I still use it, it has great tips on what produce is good in what season, how to store them, how to freeze them. One tip I found helpful was getting the old aluminum ice cube trays. The food pops right out. I bought some on eBay. Hope this helps!

By Anne Case

Buy It On Sale And Stock Up

Here's a "good old days" story. You may think I am old but I am only 39! Anyway, when my 10 year old was a baby, the Winn Dixie near us would have .10 a jar baby food specials (limit 10 per visit). I would go every day - and send my husband too! Of course we checked all dates. We got several stages and types of food and kept them in storage containers in the kitchen corner. I do not think we ever ran out - but somehow we never had too much!

Buy Smart

My son just turned one - when he started on solid foods I signed up on the internet sites for baby food companies so I would get coupons. Also, near me, the cheapest place to buy jars of baby food is Wal-Mart. I also was able to buy jars of discontinued flavors at Big Lots for 25 cents that were not anywhere near being expired.

When he got a little older, I bought 100% Juicy Juice and mixed it with a little water instead of paying almost $3.00 for little bottles of "baby juice". I also bought MOTT'S no sugar added applesauce in different flavors instead of baby applesauce.

When he graduated to finger foods, instead of buying Gerber Graduates I bought single serving size veggies at Wal-Mart (they come in little one serve containers like Jello) and then I rinsed them very well and just put them on his high chair tray. I also feed my son some of whatever we are having for dinner if it isn't too spicy or hard to chew. He has had no allergic reactions to anything. He also ate things like cottage cheese or chunks of banana.

By Cindy

Don't Pay For Convenience

Make your own, it isn't difficult or time-consuming. You are paying for convenience when you buy the little jars. Check your local library for baby food "cook books."

I probably have at least 10 books that I own, purchased at Half Price books and given to me. The Internet is also a resource for ideas.

Use a blender, cheap grinder or a fork. Remember, your infant doesn't need any food other than breast milk until he is at least 6 months old. And, he doesn't need any teeth. Don't continue to feed an 8 or 9 month old baby only finely pureed foods; it isn't necessary.

Google: making homemade baby food. If you truly want/need to save money, don't waste it on convenience foods.

By Grannie

Breast Milk and Homemade Are Best

I'm mother of two and strongly believe breast milk and home made food are the best for babies. I started with fruits juices, like squeezing mango, banana pulp, and apple pulp. I used to give mashed boiled vegetables, boiled potato with little butter. I used to mix samolina in milk make a paste, and give as solid food.

By Subhamitra

Mash Up Dinner Veggies

I use to make extra vegetables when I made dinner and cook them until the mashed up very easily. I would freeze the puree in ice cube trays and when it harden I'd pop the cubes out and store it in the freezer until needed. I also did this with fruit. I would buy fruit in season to save even more money.

By Michele