Store Monthly Cost
$135
Homemade
$90/mo
Savings
$45/mo
Monthly Store-Bought Cost
$135
12 oz/day, 3 meals
Homemade/mo
$90
Savings/mo
$45
Inputs
Result
Daily oz = 3 meals × 4 oz = 12 oz. Jars/day = 12/4 = 3. Store monthly = 3 × $1.50 × 30 = $135. Homemade: 12 oz/day ÷ 8 oz/lb = 1.5 lbs/day × $2 = $3/day × 30 = $90. Savings = $90/month.
Inputs
Result
Daily oz = 2 meals × 3 oz = 6 oz. Jars/day = 6/4 = 1.5. Store monthly = 1.5 × $1.50 × 30 = $67.50. Homemade: 6 oz/day ÷ 8 oz/lb = 0.75 lbs × $2 = $1.50/day × 30 = $45. Savings = $22.50/month.
Store-bought baby food costs $50-$150 per month depending on the brand and baby's age. A 9-month-old eating 3 meals at 4 oz each needs 360 oz/month. At $1.50 per 4 oz jar, that's about $135/month. Homemade baby food costs $30-$60/month.
| Age | Meals/Day | Oz/Day | Store Cost/Mo | Homemade/Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 1 | 2 oz | $23 | $8 |
| 7-8 months | 2 | 6 oz | $68 | $23 |
| 9-10 months | 3 | 12 oz | $135 | $45 |
| 11-12 months | 3+ | 15 oz | $169 | $56 |
Yes, homemade baby food is 50-70% cheaper than store-bought. One pound of produce ($2-$3) yields about 8 oz of puree, costing $0.25-$0.38/oz. Store-bought jars cost $0.38-$0.50/oz for conventional and $0.50-$0.75/oz for organic brands.
| Option | Cost/Oz | Monthly (12 oz/day) | 6-Month Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade | $0.25 | $90 | $540 |
| Store Jars | $0.38 | $137 | $820 |
| Store Organic | $0.50 | $180 | $1,080 |
| Pouches | $0.75 | $270 | $1,620 |
Most babies start solid foods around 6 months when they can sit with support, show interest in food, and have lost the tongue-thrust reflex. Start with single-ingredient purees (sweet potato, avocado, banana) and introduce new foods one at a time every 3-5 days.
Make a 3-5 day batch at once and freeze the rest. A typical batch is 2-3 lbs of produce, yielding about 16-24 oz of puree. Freeze in ice cube trays (1 oz each), then transfer to freezer bags. Frozen baby food keeps 3-6 months.
Essential equipment costs $30-$100: a blender or food processor ($25-$60), ice cube trays ($5-$10), and freezer bags ($5). Optional items include a baby food steamer ($30-$50) and silicone freezer trays ($10-$15). Most families already own a blender.
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Last Updated: Mar 25, 2026
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