Feeding Babies: Recipe for Baby's First Meat

All this talk of feeding babies has made my little Micah hungry.

He is 7 months and 1 week, and his interest in nursing is currently about a zero. He wants to move, army crawl, and see the wide wide world. If I couldn't offer him bottles of expressed mama milk, I would have to wean him. He is so active. Seriously, even when I feed him with a bottle, he tries to roll over, reach out for nearby toys, and kicks the entire time he's downing 7 oz.

All this movement means he gets hungry! I thought I'd share with you my favorite true first baby food: pureed meats. Organic and grass fed, of course.

Meats provide protein, zinc, iron, and B-vitamins in abundance, are easy to digest, and the iron is in a form (called heme) that is better absorbed than other forms- i.e. cereals. The protein in meats also helps baby absorb even more iron from other foods. Studies have shown that babies fed meats as a primary weaning food, as opposed to cereals, grow at a slightly faster rate. And all that without potentially setting the stage for food allergies. Good deal, huh?

So get yourself the following: (Makes 1 cup)

1/2 lb organic, grass fed chuck roast
spring/filtered water
a couple sprinkles of Celtic or Himalayan, or other high quality sea salt
a pot
and an adorable baby!

Then, cut the beef into two inch pieces, cover with the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, sprinkle with a little salt, and simmer until the meat is fork tender. (Usually 2-3 hrs)

Put the meat and 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid into a blender or food processor.

(I use my beloved Vita Mix- making baby food has never been easier! Not to mention no clean up!)

You want it to be a smooth, fine puree.

Then find your precious little one and serve! Enjoy!