Baby weaning confusion/advice

[lolaVie]

Probably a daft question…I’m not the most confident with food preparation! DD will start weaning around the end of august. Planning a mix of purées and finger foods based on Charlotte Stirling-Reed’s book. I go back to work part time a few weeks after that and MIL will be looking after her.

My plan is to prep her lunches (and other meals as she gets to then) the night before so all MIL has to do is reheat. What’s the best way to reheat a little pot of purée? And if I’ve cooked something like a broccoli floret so it’s soft enough to be finger food in the first few weeks, how will she reheat that?

Later on when there’s meat involved too? Microwave?

I wouldn't bother reheating at all to be honest..
they will need to the wait for it to cool down. If just veg I'd just take out the fridge in morn so room temp by time it's eaten... You don't want you child to get used to only eating warm food as can be a pain when out and about.

Also you probably want to batch cook puree and freeze it in tiny portions at first. Those could be defrosted quickly in hot water.

If you really want to heat id say hot water is safest. Microwaving can leave hot spots.

@PronounsBaby Ahh thanks. Yeah that makes sense.

Later on when there’s meat - how would you do that?

Bump?

Microwave in a sauce? Even if the sauce isn't really eaten. Won't dry out.

When you say “later on when there’s meat”, does this mean you’re planning on weaning a long time before 6 months?

With veggies for finger foods it would be much easier to just get MIL to cook it fresh, or if you think that’s too much then provide things which don’t need cooking, and save the other things for when baby is at home.

Re heat in microwave or a bain-marie or just give normal food and then you don't have to worry about that.

@HippeePrincess no we’ll be starting at six months so I mean down the line when she’s eating meat.

It’s true I could ask MIL to just cook for her and I think she happily would - I’m just already so grateful for the childcare that I’m looking for ways to make it all as easy as possible for her!

She can eat meat at 6 months.

@DinnaeFashYersel we’ll be starting with veggies for a couple of weeks at least before introducing meats. I’m not so worried about the defrosting/reheating of the veggies - just thinking ahead for the next steps after that.

I know this is easier said than done, but remember that baby food is still just food.

If you know how to warm food for yourself, you know how to warm it for a baby (just cooler).

Agree with PPs that room temp food and meat - and whatever else you’d have - is totally fine!

Microwave is fine for all of it. If you give it a good stir and the let it cool, hot spots will dissipate.

I started out as you are planning to do, but don't kill yourself to have it all organised for every day. Pouches are fine from time to time too, and potentially introduce more flavours that you might not be cooking at home!

Microwave fine for all. Your plan sounds great. If you didn't want your mil to have to reheat finger food veggies (which are probably nicer fresh anyway) you could stick to soft fruits when at her house - pear, peach, mango, strawberry etc and do the veggies at home with you.

I don't think reheated broccoli would be very nice.

Maybe you could try getting mil to steam it in the microwave, or use frozen broccoli which is too mushy for me but might be good for weaning? Also could be defrosted/steamed in the microwave.

Just in the microwave and if it’s a purée stir it to get rid of hot spots.

Thanks everyone. I know it probably seems a really stupid question! I’m really keen for DD to experience lots of flavours and textures but don’t want my ideas/plans to put MIL out when she’s already doing so much for us. I’m also quite sad I’ll be going back to work just as DD reaches this important stage and want to know I’ve done my best by her even if I can’t actually be there to cook fresh for her etc.

@Greentomatoes21 of course you’re right! Baby food is still food!! Will try to remember that!

It’s really important to include protein and fat not just fruit and veg right from the start. The highest concentration of nutrients which the babies stores are running out of by 6 months come from red meat and fish.

just make sure anything is heated thoroughly and cooled to the right temperature rather than warming slightly particularly things containing meat, fish, pasta and rice.