TECHNIQUES TO TRY

I. Easy Mashables

Advantage: Raw foods -- not cooked or processed -- deliver your baby all of the inherent nutrients.

Step 1: Select a food that doesn't need to be cooked, such as a banana.

Step 2: Mash with your fork.

Step 3: Add breast milk or formula, if needed, for a smoother texture.

Advice: Good first foods for mashing include banana, avocado and watermelon. For older eaters, try papaya, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, figs, and persimmons.

Advantage: A half hour or less of prep gives you a freezer full of convenient, healthful purees that beat the grocery-aisle competition.

Step 1: Wash, prep and chop a pound or two worth of a fresh or frozen fruit or vegetables.