Making your own baby food is easier than you might think and less expensive than buying prepackaged baby food. It's also convenient because you can use fresh produce, grains, and meat that you have on hand. Best of all, you know exactly what you're feeding your baby.

"Homemade" baby food can be as simple as a pureed or mashed version of what you're serving the rest of your family. This also gets your baby used to eating the same food as everyone else, a strategy that could pay off during the picky toddler years.

For recipe ideas, get inspired by these photo galleries of homemade baby food, ranging from smooth purees and soft mashes to chunky textures and finger foods.