• Peas:
  • 1 1/2 pound bag of frozen steamable peas
  • 8 ounces of water
  • 4 ounces of apple juice (optional- you can just use water)
  • Carrots:
  • 1 1/2 pound bag of baby carrots or 1 pound of carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 8 ounces of water
  • 4 ounces of apple juice (optional- you can just use water)
  • Squash:
  • 1 medium sized butternut squash, halved with seeds removed
  • 8 ounces of water
  • 4 ounces of apple juice (optional- you can just use water)

By the time I had the okay to start Connor on solid food I was pumped and ready to go. Usually that is the case with your first child not second but seeing as how my first did not like his milk nor baby food (I did not make my own at that time) I was determined to give Connor everything I had to start him off in the right direction with eating. I learned the first vegetables a baby eats are particularly critical to their “take” on certain vegetables later in life. By feeding them vegetables they really enjoy it sets them up to make healthy choices as they grow up.

Now this is not to say that if you baby likes pureed carrots then he will always love his carrots, green beans, etc. but it does help them develop the taste and hence give a tired mom a little head start on the picky eater battle come toddler years.

You will find numerous of articles explaining methods of feeding veggies to your baby- before fruits, after fruits, mixed with fruits, etc. regardless of your decision the key here is to giving them YUMMY veggies. Veggies they will actually like and if you can take a bite or two without whencing then you are set. Peas, Carrots and Squash are the ones I started my son off with and he absolutely loves them. They are nutritious and an excellent choice for first veggies.

Peas

Small and round, peas are an excellent choice for your baby’s first vegetables, according to Baby Center. Peas contain protein, fiber and large amounts of vitamins A and C. They can be mashed or fed whole, depending on your baby’s preference. Like green beans, peas can serve as a step in the right direction for parents that want to gradually introduce their babies to green vegetables.

Carrots

Like sweet potatoes, carrots are a sweet-tasting vegetable. This can make the transition into eating vegetables much easier. Carrots are packed with calcium for strong bones, potassium, vitamins A, B and C, which support good vision and help make your little one less susceptible to illness. Mashed carrots are a popular kind of baby food that can be purchased from the grocery store, but you can make your own mashed carrots at home by boiling carrots, mashing them like potatoes and cooling them in the refrigerator. Avoid adding sugar or anything else to keep your child’s first vegetables as pure and healthy as possible.

Squash

“Squash, especially a winter variety such as butternut squash, are good early foods for babies and toddlers.”They offer a soft consistency when cooked and generally have a mild flavor. “Nutritionally, each squash has a unique nutrition profile dependent on the specific variety. “In general, winter squash varieties tend to be a good source of niacin, iron, beta-carotene and vitamin A. Squash can be baked, steamed, boiled, or poached. Different varieties of squash offer slightly different textures, but essentially all of them can be cooked to a soft consistency and then cut up for a soft finger food for babies with teeth or pureed for early eaters.Squash is also easily combined with other early baby foods such as apple puree, pear puree, etc. Information provided by Peggy O’Shea, a Boston-based nutritionist and president of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association on babyzone.com.

Information provided by Livestrong

Directions:

Squash

Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Place cut side down in a baking dish. Add about a 1/2 inch of water. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes, or until tender. Remove and let cool slightly. Remove flesh.  Puree with apple juice and 2-3 ounces of water (more or less depending on your desired consistency). Puree until smooth.

Peas

If using frozen steam-able peas, cook in the microwave according to the package directions. Remove from packaging and place in a cold ice water bath. Place peas in the blender with the apple juice and 2-3 ounces of water (more or less depending on your desired consistency) and puree until smooth.

Carrots

Peel the carrots if using large fresh ones and cut into chunks or remove carrots from bag if using pre-washed baby carrots. Place carrots into a steamer pan with 8 ounces of water. Steam until tender. Place steamed carrots in your choice of processor, blender. Puree with apple juice and 2-3 ounces of water (more or less depending on your desired consistency) until smooth.