First Puree - Butternut Pumpkin

All my boys started their solids journey with this puree. Pumpkin is a great first food, I really like butternut pumpkin to start with for it's natural taste and it is easy on the gastrointestinal tract. You can read about why I don't recommend baby rice or other infant cereal here.



This recipe is more about guiding you in how to easily start your baby off on solids - the puree itself is super simple - and also how to boost iron levels but adding some meat in a second easy step!

Ingredients:

1/2 Butternut Pumpkin

1 Chicken drumstick/2 chicken nibbles (for step 2)

Equipment:

The following will honestly help making your own baby food super fast!

Philips Avent Healthy Baby Food Maker

Silicon Baby Food trays 

Catcher bib (see my customised ones here).

Directions:

1. Prepare the butternut pumpkin by scooping out the seeds.



2. Cut the pumpkin and either place into the Avent Blender to steam or you can bake for about 45minutes.




3. When steamed (takes 20mins in blender) simply flick over and pulse (or add from tray).

This is what I would recommend when trying food for the first time. When you feel bubs is ready - normally after a week or two of this once a day, try the next step of adding some meat like chicken. This will boost iron, fat, Vitamin B12 in particular.



The easiest why I find to do this is just to add meat from the main family meal - a small amount - to the butternut and whiz up. You could even add a bit of the meat juices as well. You will notice the texture is thicker than before.

Additional helpful recipes & resources:

*My Simple Spiced Chicken Slow Cooker is a great recipe to adapt to bubs at this stage.

*My high iron Easy Rib Roast - can you tell I love slow cookers?

* Baby friendly slow cooker mixes from Dr Julie's Kitchen - all made with ingredients that are suitable for babies right from the start (and yes they can have some spices and herbs!) 

* The Nourished Baby - your ultimate step-by-step guide to starting solids! Available in Kindle & Audio format too.

*Baby & Toddler Cookbook - which contains 24 baby food recipes alone all which match my week-by-week guide to starting solids.

xxx Dr Julie