So, How Much Money Can You Save?? (4 to 6 months)
Okay so when I planned the first month, I didn’t know really what to expect. My oldest son has always been a little piggy. It took only one bite of carrots at 4 months old to convince him that this “eating thing” isn’t too bad and he hasn’t stopped since.
The boy can put away food like none other. He was, and still isn’t picky. But from the beginning my second has been the complete opposite in EVERYTHING he does. And with his allergy issues, the pediatrician suggested waiting until he was 6 months old before trying him on solid food. Interestingly enough his pediatric g.i. didn’t think it was a big deal to wait. Since he is primarily breast fed, she suggested to eat all the foods I would give him in my own diet and if he can tolerate my breast milk he can handle those same solid foods. Since I was on a strict diet myself, I already knew what foods didn’t bother him through my breastmilk – carrots, apples, rice, pears, peas and sweet potatoes. So she didn’t think it was necessary to try a new food every 3 days with him (with those foods), but to keep an eye out if a new food that I may have not tried seems to cause a reaction.** So after all of that, here is what I did for the first month.
BTW – my second didn’t take to food as easily as his older brother – SHOCKER! So after the first month I had A LOT of food still frozen that I can use the second month. I went ahead and made food for the second month also just in case he changed his mind.
Sweet Potatoes (Thanksgiving Sale – DLM)
6 lbs. @ .33/lb = $1.98
Added about 1 c. of water to puree to make it about a stage 2 consistency
Made 68 oz (68 ice cube trays)
Cost = $.03/oz.
Gerber equiv. 27 jars @ $.59 each = $15.93
Gerber Organic equiv. 27 jars @ $.69 each = $18.63
Net Savings $13.95 to $16.65
***This is a bunch of sweet potatoes, but REMEMBER that in a deep freezer they can keep for up to 6 months. So I won’t need to buy anymore sweet potatoes most likely. Sweet potatoes are wonderful to mix with the more bitter veggies such as peas and broccoli and can be mixed together for a sweet treat with apples. It also is a wonderful compliment to chicken when your child is ready for adding meats. So this was an AWESOME buy!!
Organic Apples (Trader Joes)
3 lb. bag @ Trader Joes = $3.99
Added some water to make it stage 1 consistency
Made 28 oz
Cost = $.14/oz
Gerber equiv. 12 jars @ $.59 ea. = $7.08
Gerber Organic equiv. 12 jars @ $.69 = $8.28
Net Savings $3.09 to $4.29
Organic Bananas (Trader Joes)
7 bananas = $1.74 @ Trader Joes
Added some water to make it stage 2 consistency
Made 26 oz
Cost = $.07/oz
Gerber equiv. 11 jars @ $.59 ea. = $6.49
Gerber Organic equiv. 11 jars @ $.69 ea. = $7.59
Net Savings $4.75 to $5.85
Organic Green Beans (Trader Joes)
2 lbs. @ $3.98 ($1.99/lb)
Added about 1/2c. of water
Used food mill after pureed to mill out skins
Made 26 oz.
Cost = $.15/oz.
Gerber equiv. 11 jars @ $.59 each = $6.49
Gerber Organic equiv. 11 jars @ $.69 each = $7.59
Net Savings $2.51 to $3.61
Organic Peas (Trader Joes)
2 lbs. @ $3.98 ($1.99/lb)
Added appr. 1/4c. of water after milling
Used food mill after pureed to mill out skins
Made 25 oz.
Cost = $.16/oz.
Gerber equiv. 10 jars @ $.59 each = $5.90
Gerber Organic equiv. 10 jars @ $.69 each = $6.90
Net Savings $1.92 to $2.92
Organic Pears (Trader Joes)
3# bag = $3.49
Made 26 oz.
Cost = $.13/oz.
Gerber equiv. 11 jars @ $.59 each = $6.49
Gerber Organic equiv. 11 jars @ $.69 each = $7.59
Net Savings $3.00 to $4.10
Organic Peaches (Trader Joes)
11 Peaches (minus 1 peach which was bad) = $7.89 for 12
Made 36 oz.
Cost = $.22/oz.
Gerber equiv. 15 jars @ $.59 each = $8.85
Gerber Organic equiv. 15 jars @ $.69 each = $10.35
Net Savings $.96 to $2.46
Organic Carrots (Trader Joes)
Appr. 2 1/2 lbs. = $1.78
Added appr. 1/2c. of water
Made 42 oz.
Cost =.04/oz.
Gerber equiv 17 jars @ $.59 each = $10.03
Gerber Organic equiv. 17 jars @ $.69 each = $11.78
Net Savings $8.25 to $9.95
* Gerber prices are approximate and obviously do not include coupons and sales.
** I round oz that I made up to the next jar.
*** Please check with you pediatrician before starting your baby on solids. Every child is different and what might work for my son may not necessarily work for your child. This is to be used as only a suggestion and help give you an idea of what your budget could look like.
question–where can you get a deep freezer for a good price?
Kristi, thanks for visiting! There is a post under Cooking How To’s on buying a freezer. http://onceamonthmom.com/should-i-buy-a-freezer/
Hey!! Can you freeze the bananas?? I LOVE making baby food for my 7 month old. Didn’t realize how fun it was until she was 6 months old, though. And I totally missed the boat with my first two kids. So, I’m really excited to start doing this now.
Krista,
I have froze all my bananas. Freezing hasn’t seemed to hurt them except that they do turn a little brown. I have done a little research and everything I have found states that the nutritional value is not affected by freezing just the color changes slightly. But my 6 month old doesn’t know the difference : )!