With the right equipment, making your own baby food is an easy -- and an economical -- way to introduce your baby to solids. By making food yourself, you can be sure your baby is eating the best and purest possible ingredients, while avoiding all the preservatives found in most jarred foods.

Believe it or not, there is a right way to make your own baby food. Before getting started, check out this list to learn some helpful Do's:

• Use the freshest fruits and vegetables you can find within a day or two. Frozen fruits and vegetables retain a lot of their nutrients, so they are also a good option.
• Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before starting, as well as all food, bowls, utensils and equipment.
• Prepare your fruit and vegetables by getting all the peeling and pitting out of the way.
• Cook all vegetables and harder fruits, like apples and pears, to soften before processing.
• Baking, broiling, or steaming hard vegetables, like potatoes, before processing preserves their vitamins and minerals.
• If you boil to soften, use as little liquid as possible and add back some of the leftover liquid when processing the food.
• To reach the desired mushy consistency, slowly add breast milk, formula, or cooking water as you process the food.
• Food should be served no warmer than body temperature.
• Be very careful when using the microwave. Food doesn't heat evenly, making it very easy for baby to get burn their tongues. If you have to use a microwave, be sure to stir thoroughly and allow time for cooling.
• Avoid serving more food than baby will eat. Any food mixed with baby's saliva can potentially breed bacteria in the food.
• Let your baby learn to enjoy the natural flavors of the food without seasoning or sweetening. It might upset their tender tummies.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. Use within two to three days.

Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays, remove and store in plastic freezer bags in the freezer. These create nice individual serving sizes. Fruits and vegetables frozen this way will last six months; meats, fish, and poultry will last about ten weeks. Bon appéit baby!