Homemade Baby Food Stage 2

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As your child surpasses the 6-month mark and has been used to eating purees, parents typically switch to Stage 2 of “textures” between 6-9 months. It’s important to gradually start offering texture and more complex flavor combinations and not jump into it too soon.

Have you finally figured out what your baby likes and dislikes for purees? Have you thought about introducing them to textures and flavor combinations?

Save this post for answers to all of your baby food questions. You’ll find how to introduce stage 2 textures, what baby food is best (low-risk vs high risk), the popular finger foods, and stage 2 homemade baby food recipes!

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When to Start Stage 2 Tasty Textures?

As your child surpasses 6 months, it’s time to start offering textured purees and more complex flavor combinations. If you feel like waiting longer than 6 months, that is completely fine! Some parents prefer anywhere between 6-9 months when starting stage 2 texture purees. Baby will also let you know how they feel!

Worried You Don’t Have Time To Make Homemade Baby Food?

Homemade baby food is far more nutritious. You can prep by boiling/steaming all of the food and quickly adding to a blender like the baby bullet here which makes homemade baby food making super easy. Now let’s get to some yummy homemade baby food recipes!

Depending on your child’s age, there are a few stages in making baby food. In this post, you will find information about introducing textures, flavor combinations, and finger foods to your baby as Stage 2 Textures starting between 6-9 months.

Please don’t forget… if you find that your child doesn’t seem too thrilled, do not force it. It’ll gradually take time!

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Allergies/Tracking Journal

If you’ve read my post on Homemade Baby Food Puree Stage 1, I had mentioned for babies 4-6 months of age, you’ll want to create a very thin puree while introducing new flavors. The foods you choose should be very low-allergy-risk foods that are easy for baby to digest. Now that you are onto Stage 2 for 6+ months, you still want to take into consideration allergy foods, however, move onto more textured food rather than puree.

Please keep in mind when introducing foods to baby, only introduce ONE new food every 4-5 days as you had done with Stage 1 foods to be on the safe side. This is so important because your baby could have a reaction, rash, or poops and you will want to be able to track which food caused this and if they have an allergy.

This will also give the baby some time to get used to the new flavors and textures. They could try food once or twice and not like it at first, but then after a few tries end up loving it!

Keeping track of any and all foods baby has tasted as well as reactions to each food is essential. Here you can find a FREE downloadable tracker to use. This will help you keep track of any and all reactions to each food as well as what foods the baby likes or dislikes.

Allergy/Reaction Signs

There are signs to follow in order to know if the baby is having a reaction. Here are a few to be on the lookout for:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Difficult Breathing
  • Rash
  • Wheezing
  • Eye Swelling
  • Gas
  • Itching
  • Lip/Face Swelling
  • Nausea
  • Stomach Pain

Texture Consistency “Stage 2”

When introducing textured purees to your baby, you’ll know whether the puree is too textured because the baby will either push it right back out with their tongue reflex or show obvious signs of disapproval.

Not only that, you can physically see if the puree is too lumpy/textured as well.

If you find that baby is not enjoying the texture, you can add a bit more liquid to the food and reblend until you have a thinner consistency. Any time baby rejects a thicker-textured food, offer a thinner consistency right away, but try going a bit thicker again in a few days.

Don’t give up! It may take some time for baby to get used to textures. Closer to 9-10 months, slowly continue to thicken the Stage 1 Purees and work towards Stage 2 Textures. Remember, there is no rush and always follow baby’s lead.

Flavor Combinations Stage 2

During Stage 2 Textures, it not only is important to introduce baby to textures but to continue to introduce a variety of new flavors. A few flavor combinations that baby may enjoy are green beans and rice, apples and oatmeal, and chicken/turkey with turnips.

The more you introduce baby to different flavors, the better it will be for their taste buds. You may find that baby may refuse a flavor (maybe you’ve seen this while trying Stage 1 Purees) and they may continue to dislike it, which is fine, but maybe they end up enjoying it and it only took a few tries.

This is why it’s important to keep a tracker. If you missed it above, you can download our FREE tracker here!

Finger Foods Stage 2

As baby gets older, you’ll find they will be more interested in touching, picking up, and playing with their food. Yes, it will get messy but they are exploring, learning, and using their motor skills.

Finger foods can help babies to develop chewing skills as well as developing coordination. Small, diced bits of fruit, bits of cheese, vegetables, anything soft and not too hard will be perfect. Please remember nothing too large or hard to prevent baby from choking.

This can be a scary stage for parents – the fear of baby choking. Been there with my first son. He loved food so much he would choke all the time because he’d just shove the food in his mouth before fully chewing and swallowing.

I promise you don’t need to worry too much! Encourage baby to chew, chew, chew. I would put a piece of food in my mouth and chew showing my children how I am doing it and continue to say “please chew chew chew!” They would then copy me by chewing and it didn’t take long for them to catch on.

Be sure to not put too much food in front of your child. Small, bite-sized pieces are best, and allow them time to chew, swallow and drink liquid to help wash out their mouth before eating again.

Please never leave your baby unattended when they’re eating!

The idea is to start getting your baby used to picking up the food using a pincher grasp and eating it. After they’ve mastered that skill which won’t be long, you’ll want to start putting the food in a bowl and have them use a soft-tipped spoon and encourage baby to scoop their food out of the bowl and work it towards their mouth.

List of Safest – High Risk Foods

Below you will find a basic list of high-risk, low-risk, and safest foods for baby. Please keep in mind this isn’t a full list and to always consult your pediatrician.

Please always consult with your pediatrician in regard to baby nutrition and feeding your child.

Safest Foods to Try First:

  • Apples
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Pears
  • Squash
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Zucchini

Low-Risk Allergy Foods:

  • Applesauce
  • Apricots
  • Asparagus
  • Barley
  • Beets
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Rice

High-Risk Allergy Foods:

  • Beans
  • Berries
  • Buckwheat
  • Cabbage
  • Chocolate
  • Cinnamon
  • Coconuts
  • Dairy
  • Mangos
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Pork
  • Shellfish
  • Strawberries
  • Soybeans
  • Wheat
  • Yeast

Avoid serving honey or foods containing honey until baby is one year old because it contains bacterial spores that could cause life-threatening illnesses (infant botulism).

Making Stage 2 Textures and Flavor Combinations

You can prepare your baby’s food as you did with the Stage 1 Purees. You’ll also want to start offering baby the same meal the rest of the family is eating. Using the baby bullet makes it super easy for you.

Whatever you have cooked for the family, just add it to the baby bullet and blend. Just add spaghetti, chicken, lentils, or vegetables into the Short Cup or Batch Bowl offered with the baby bullet.

Baby Bullet has a large size blender which is the Batch Bowl and then a smaller blender cup referred to as the Short Cup depending on the quantity of food you want to prepare. It’s very convenient.

They also provide a silicone tray to freeze/store food (I also use this tray to make popsicles), a storage kit with lids to store food as well in the fridge, or use as “to go” with a dial to keep track of date stored.

Making one meal for the whole family will save you time and money! I know the Stage 1 Purees may have been a little bit of extra work, but it’s always worth giving baby a homemade meal!

You’ll find with stage 2, it gets a bit easier when able to offer the same meal as the family is eating.

The more flavors and textures baby gets to experience, the better your chances of creating a “good eater”. By introducing more to baby now, the less likely they’ll live off of chicken nuggets ;).

Related: Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater

Texture and Flavor Combination Recipes

Below you will find a variety of homemade texture puree recipes for babies starting at 6 months of age. We’ll be using the pulse technique for textures.

Per baby bullet “With the Pulse Technique, you push straight down on either the Short Cup or the Batch Bowl using a bit of resistance to keep from slipping into “lock-on” mode.

Push and release, push and release, and continue until you’ve achieved the consistency you desire. The less you push, the thicker and chunkier the consistency will be. The more you push, the thinner and smoother the consistency will be.”

AS A REMINDER:

  • Make sure skins, cores, pits or stems have been removed from fruits or vegetables or any other type of food
  • Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of water, formula or breast milk. You can add more for a thinner consistency

Chicken, Brown Rice and Squash

  • 1 steamed/boiled yellow squash
  • 1/2 cup of fully cooked chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup of brown rice*
  • 1/8 cup – 1/4 cup of chicken or veggie broth
  • *if baby is handling textures well, add the rice after pureeing

Benefits: This meal is filled with lean protein, carbs, and nutrient-rich fiber. You can cook this meal for the whole family then puree in the baby bullet for baby’s dinner or store it for later meals.

Add all the ingredients to the blender and use the pulse technique to achieve the proper texture.

Turkey/Chicken, Rice and Carrot

  • 1 carrot steamed or boiled until soft
  • 1/2 cup of fully cooked, diced turkey/chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup of cooked rice*
  • 1-2 cups of chicken or veggie broth
  • *if baby is handling textures well, add the rice after pureeing

Benefits: This meal is filled with lean protein, carbs, and nutrient-rich fiber with loads of flavor. This may be a favorite meal for baby and the rest of the family!

Add all the ingredients to the blender and use the pulse technique to achieve the proper texture.

Sweet Potato Hummus and Toast

  • 1 16oz can of beans and the liquid
  • 2 oz of boiled/steamed sweet potato (or 2 oz of sweet potato puree)
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic* (optional)
  • 2 slices of whole-grain bread
  • *garlic is packed with health benefits and can support immune function amongst many other benefits.

Benefits: Sweet potatoes are a source of vitamins A, C, B6, and E. They are also a good source of phosphorus, which supports the growth of healthy bones and teeth which is so important for a baby as they grow. This creamy protein-packed snack is full of fiber and flavor that baby will enjoy.

Add all the ingredients to the blender and use the pulse technique to achieve the proper texture.

Toast the bread and cut it into strips or small bite-size pieces.

You can either spread the hummus on the bread for your baby or have them try and pick up the bread with their finger and guide them to dip it into the hummus (depending on their age).

Chicken and Penne Pasta

  • 1 cup of boiled/steamed carrots (or 6oz of carrot puree)
  • 1 cup of boiled/steamed cauliflower (or 6 oz of cauliflower puree)
  • 1/2 cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup of boiled/steamed chicken breast (or 4oz of chicken puree)
  • 1/2 cup of low salt vegetable broth
  • 2 cups of mini penne pasta

Benefits: Wholesome vegetables and protein

You can also add spinach, celery, garlic, onions, and tomatoes to make a pasta sauce. You’ll want to blend all ingredients until smooth (except for the pasta). Pour into a saucepan and heat until cooked. Pour over the mini penne pasta.

If there is any type of dairy allergy, omit the cheese altogether. My second son had an almond, dairy, and egg allergy starting from 3 months old so we would either omit dairy altogether or use alternative cheese, soy milk, etc.

Add the ingredients (except the pasta) to the blender and blend until smooth or a bit chunky.

Pour into a saucepan and heat until cooked.

Pour over cooked pasta and serve.

Tropical Parfait/Yogurt

  • 1/4 cup of cream cheese
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup of pineapple
  • 1/4 cup of vanilla yogurt

Blend all ingredients until smooth and serve cold. You can either refrigerate or freeze.

To add a bit of texture, feel free to add a bit of baby’s favorite dry cereal on top (oats, granola, etc.)

Roasted Pear, Apple and Date Puree

  • 1 Pear (peeled, cored and sliced)
  • 2 Apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
  • 5 Dried Dates (pitted)
  • 1 Orange (juiced)

Quantity: 20 oz

There are two ways to make this recipe. You can either boil/steam the pears and apples and blend everything, serving cold or warm OR you can roast the pears and apples.

Blending Option:

If you plan to blend, you’ll want to boil/steam the pears and apples.

Place the dates into a small bowl with hot water for at least 10 minutes to help soften.

Add the pears and apples to the blender along with the dates and orange juice and blend them all together.

You can serve to baby cold or warm – or even frozen and make a popsicle!

Roast Option:

Preheat oven to 425 Degrees F

Line Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper

Place Pears and Apples on the baking sheet, put them into the oven

Roast the pears and apples for 25-30 minutes

In the meantime, place the dates into a small bowl with hot water for at least 10 minutes. This will help the dates become soft in texture rather than hard. Drain after 10 minutes or until soft.

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until completely smooth or textured.

If you find that it is too textured or not smooth enough, you can add in water (tbsp).

Apples and Chicken/Turkey

  • 1/3 cup boneless chicken or turkey, chopped and cooked
  • 1/4 cup boiled/steamed apples (core, peeled and skinned) or 1/4 cup natural applesauce
  • Handful of diced carrots
  • Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Blend chicken/turkey with cooked apple in a blender.

Add cinnamon.

Puree or mash to a textured consistency. Add water to thin if needed.

Tip: If you freeze this meal, it may thaw to a watery texture. It’s best to reheat in a saucepan so that the ingredients are easily recombined.

Strawberry and Pear Totsicles

  • 1 boiled/steamed pear (peeled and cored)
  • 1/2 cup of raw strawberries (remove tops)
  • 1/4 cup of water

Add all the ingredients to a blender until smooth.

Fill as many cups of a tray as you can (we use the Batch Tray from the Baby Bullet and a few other brands I received at my first son’s baby shower).

Insert a popsicle spoon or wood craft sticks into each filled cup.

Freeze until hard and baby can enjoy as a popsicle.

Tip: This can be done with Banana and Berries, Mango and Banana, Banana and Peach, Cantaloupe, and Watermelon.

Zucchini Bread

  • 1/2 cup of honey and maple syrup (you an use 1/2 cup of cane sugar/sugar but I like to avoid sugar as much as possible. Omit honey if baby isn’t 12 months of age)
  • 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup of whole wheat flour
  • Pinch of baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp of salt
  • 1/4 tsp of cinnamon (add to taste)
  • 1/4 cup of boiled/steamed zucchini (or 4 oz of zucchini puree)
  • 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
  • Cooking Spray

Add all the ingredients except for cooking spray into a blender until smooth.

Spray the cooking spray into an 8×4 inch loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and enjoy!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

  • 1 cup of milk (or non-dairy milk)
  • 3/4 cup of boiled/steamed broccoli (or 6 oz of broccoli puree)
  • 1/2 cup of uncooked chopped broccoli
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup of vegetable broth

Add all ingredients (except for the chopped broccoli) into a blender and blend until smooth.

Pour the contents into a pot and add the chopped broccoli.

Heat over medium heat until the broccoli pieces are tender.

Mac and Cheese

  • 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese (if dairy allergy can substitute for non-dairy cheese)
  • 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese (omit ricotta cheese if dairy allergy)
  • 1/4 cup of boiled/steamed yellow squash or cauliflower (or 2 oz of yellow swuash or cauliflower puree)
  • 1 tsp of butter (omit butter if dairy allergy and use olive oil)
  • 2-3 tbsp milk (or non-dairy milk). Save 1 tbsp for cheese mixture.
  • 1 cup of cooked macaroni noodles

Add all ingredients (except for noodles) into a blender and blend until smooth.

Heat the cheese mixture in a saucepan over low-medium heat until melted and warm throughout (cheese, olive oil, and 1 tbsp of milk). While that is heating, cook the macaroni noodles in a different pot.

Toss into cooked macaroni noodles and serve!

Cinnamon, Apple and Oatmeal Cookies

  • 1/2 cup of butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup of honey (omit if baby isn’t 12 months of age. You can replace with maple syrup or dates)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp of vanilla
  • 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 tsp of baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1 boiled/steamed apple (or 6 oz of apple puree)
  • 1 1/2 cup of uncoked oatmeal

Add butter, honey, egg, apple/apple puree, and vanilla to the blender and blend.

Next, add flour, baking soda, and cinnamon to the butter mixture and blend until the ingredients are combined together well.

Pour the contents over a bowl of uncooked oatmeal and stir until the oatmeal is coated.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Tip: I recommend this recipe when they have eaten textured food for a few months and are closer to 9+ months OR if you feel they are ready.

Tips For Making The Best Homemade Baby Food

Anything can be a textured puree! You just have to either use raw, steam or boil and add liquid when blending. Just be sure to follow the allergy guidelines depending on your child’s age.

The less liquid you add, the thicker the puree, and the more liquid you add, the thinner the puree. I highly recommend adding the liquid slowly blending each time rather than pouring the entire liquid quantity.

Fruit and vegetable sizes vary, so you may end up with more or less food.

As a reminder, refrigerated foods must be consumed within 3 days. Frozen foods are good for up to 30 days.

Thaw frozen baby food in an airtight container overnight before you plan to serve.

If you have any recipes not listed, please share in the comments for other mamas to try! I hope you found this helpful in your journey to making homemade baby food.

Did you miss out on our post about Homemade Baby Food Puree Stage 1? You can check it out here!

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