How to Make Sweet Potato Baby Food

When you are preparing to give your baby solid food for the first time, pureed sweet potatoes are one of the highly recommended first foods, for both their nutritional value and natural sweetness, according to pediatrician and author, Dr. Bill Sears. He also recommends making your own baby food instead of purchasing it at the store, to allow your baby develop a taste for natural food without any artificial additives. Sweet potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to puree and you can cook and prepare them for your little one in a variety of ways.

Things You'll Need

  • Potato peeler
  • Chef's knife
  • Steamer basket
  • Large pot
  • Baking sheet
  • Microwave-safe dish
  • Food processor or blender
  • Water or breast/formula milk

Instructions

  1. Cooking Options

    • 1

      Steam cook the sweet potatoes. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into even-sized cubes. Place them in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. The water in the pot should not reach the bottom of the steamer basket. Allow the potatoes to steam for 15 to 25 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are very tender.

    • 2

      Bake the sweet potatoes. Preheat your oven to between 400 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Pierce each potato with a fork in several places, then place them on a baking sheet. Bake the sweet potatoes for roughly 45 minutes to an hour, until they are very tender and the skin is quite wrinkly. Allow the sweet potatoes to cool slightly before peeling off the soft skin with your fingers.

    • 3

      Microwave cook the sweet potatoes. Pierce the potatoes all over and place inside of a microwave-safe dish. Cover the potatoes with a damp paper towel. Alternatively, you can add 1/4 cup of water to the dish. Cook the potatoes on high for about five minutes, then turn and rotate them. Continue to cook the sweet potatoes in two to three minute intervals, until they are tender. Peel away the skins when they're cool enough to touch.

    Mashing and Pureeing

    • 4

      Mash your cooked and cooled sweet potatoes in a large mixing bowl, using a potato masher or a fork. Mash out any big chunks of sweet potato.

    • 5

      Place the mashed sweet potatoes into a food processor or a blender. Blend until the sweet potatoes are very smooth, with no chunks.

    • 6

      Stir in water or breast or formula milk as needed, while you are blending for a smoother, less sticky puree.

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