Weaning your baby can be a time of anxiety for many parents. Knowing when to start, what food to prepare and how to supervise your baby’s meals is confusing, especially when everyone will have a strong opinion on what you should do.
Our shopping guide to the best baby food blender
Here’s a quick guide to the best food blender UK retailers sell. We’ve tested these on our own homemade baby foods and sourced reviews and opinions on the best food blenders from friends and family who have little ones.
A step-by-step guide to weaning your baby
When to start weaning your baby
Advice from the NHS is that babies should be weaned from six months of age. A good general rule is that they should be able to sit up independently, have an increasing interest in the food you’re eating and be losing the ‘tongue thrust’ reflex which will make them immediately spit out food.
Methods of feeding
Spoon feeding
This is the traditional method of weaning and was used when babies were introduced to solids at four months. Parents spoon feed their baby small amounts of pureed food. Smooth textures will reduce the risk of choking.
In a few weeks you would start to introduce lumpy food and increase the size of the chunks as they (and you!) become more confident. Use a baby blender and steamer to control the texture of the food you present.
Eventually your pride and joy will learn to use the spoon by themself and put chunks of food in their mouth with their fingers.
Baby led weaning.
This is an idea that has become more popular in the last few years. You give your tiny tot pieces of lots of different kinds of foods and let them decide what they like and how much they want to eat. Stay with your baby throughout mealtimes and seek guidance on how big the pieces of food should be.
Chunky purees should also be on the menu for your baby as stews, soups, sauces, goulashes and mashes are a staple part of our diets. Use a baby blender to prepare small, experimental portions.
BLW is a messy process and, at first, it will feel as though all the food is wasted but stick with it and very soon your clever and determined little one will be picking up food, putting it their mouth and chewing with great pleasure.
How to cook the food
The best way to cook your baby food is by steaming. This method cooks evenly, without boiling and keeps all the nutrition inside the food. Boiling releases the ‘juices’ and vitamins and minerals are often washed away in the cooking water.
What your baby should eat
There are no rules other than to introduce foods that may cause an allergic reaction individually, slowly and in small amounts so you can watch for a reaction. This includes cow’s milk, eggs, nuts and peanuts, seeds, foods with gluten in, soya, fish and shellfish)
Try your baby with savoury veg and mild fruits first. Broccoli, parsnip, potato and pear are all great options. This stops them developing a sweet tooth. Banana, carrot and sweet potatoes can be included with pasta and bread something you try after a few weeks.
First foods – a kit guide
Highchair
Choose a high chair that is comfortable, safe and supportive for baby and is also at the right height for you to feed them and for them to sit at the dining table. Take a look at our selection of handy highchairs for your toddler.
Splash or Messy Mat
This is essential! Invest in a snazzy apron for you, your partner AND the dog because things are about to get messy! Babies who are experimenting will throw food, squish it between their fingers, put it in your hair during a hug and get in every nook and cranny of their highchair.
Spoons and Bowls
If you’re looking for cute accessories to go with your baby blender, Asda Little Angels have lots of great value options. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Soft grip, baby sized spoons.
- Soft grip forks for older babies.
- Small bowls that can be attached with suction to the highchair tray or table.
- Place mats that can be attached to the highchair tray or table.
- A soft grip ‘sippy’ cup to for water during mealtimes.
Bibs – here’s what to consider
- Robust Velcro fastening.
- Big! Choose ones that cover little arms and torsos.
- Consider a buying a full body splash suit and take the highchair outside!
- Buy lots! They will need washing A LOT!
A sense of humour
This is an essential item that you’ll NEED as an accessory to your new baby food blitzer. Try and relax about the whole process. Your baby won’t always enjoy the food you’ve lovingly prepared. Your home will have banana stains in strange places, and they will ALWAYS be discovered your mother-in-law. It’s a long, fun process and hopefully by the end of it you’ll have a toddler who adores all kinds of food.
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