How to Make Homemade Macaroni & Cheese Baby Food
Instead of her usual foods, you might want to change things up for your little one by serving her some homemade, baby-style macaroni and cheese. Although your baby will develop at her own pace and all babies are different, the Missouri Department of Health suggests that babies should be at least 8- to 10-months-old before introducing them to macaroni and cheese and other pastas. When you do introduce macaroni at this age, you want to be sure that you use small macaroni, perhaps cut it into even smaller manageable pieces -- and that your baby can mash foods with her gums before allowing her to try this dish. At 10-to 12-months-old, you baby will be able to swallow foods -- including macaroni -- more easily, notes to the BabyCenter website.
A bowl of macaroni and cheese. (Image: minadezhda/iStock/Getty Images)Step 1
Cook your small macaroni noodles according to the directions on the package. Cook the pasta until the noodles are very soft. Drain the noodles, and then place the warm noodles in a bowl.
Step 2
Grate your cheese. Add your grated cheese to the macaroni and stir until the cheese is melted. Use a mild cheese such as Monterey jack, Colby or American. Older babies may enjoy the flavor of stronger cheeses such as cheddar.
Step 3
Add 1 tablespoon at a time of whole milk, formula, breast milk or yogurt to the noodles and cheese until the mixture has the consistency you want. Alternatively, add extra nutrition by substituting canned pumpkin or pumpkin baby food. Serve the warm macaroni and cheese to your baby.
Step 4
Stir in small chunks of cooked vegetables or chicken for older babies. Be sure your baby is ready for finger foods -- and that his motor skills are developed well enough to grasp objects between his thumb and forefinger. For most babies, this happens between 10 and 12 months, advises the BabyCenter website.
Things You'll Need
Small macaroni noodles
Bowl
Mixing spoon
Grated cheese
Whole milk, breast milk, formula, yogurt or canned pumpkin
Small chunks cooked chicken or vegetables (for older babies)
