Weaning essentials - What do I need?

[Inmydreams88]

I am soon going to be weaning my baby in the next few months. I've decided I want to do a mix of purees and finger foods to start with and I'm planning to make all my own baby food. I'm just making a list of things I will need before I start to wean.

Do I need a food processor, hand blender etc or do I need a special baby food blender? Will a hand blender make smooth puree?

What were your weaning essentials?

I used a hand blender. In the early weaning days I then passed the puree through a sieve to make sure I hadn't missed any lumps!

Oh also I used an ice cube tray to freeze small portions of puree, that way I could quickly defrost a selection when needed.

I was and remain actually a very nervous weaner.

Compared to friends.

I would say watch a video online and learn the difference between choking and gagging.

I would never have managed BLW in its pure form, but I did understand the difference and coped with normal lumpy purée type stuff and finger foods.

I did not cope with strips of steak or chicken. I don't actually think mine choked on anything soft and lumpy, I've had two chokes, both from to much in mouth and at an older age. Four kids.

Thats a great idea! Added some to my list.

I was always so sure I'd do BLW, but after having my first baby I am terrified!

Hand blender and fork, ice cube trays are handy for freezing small portions

Lots of bibs. I just put a selection of what we were eating on a plate (plastic plate) or opened a jar of cow and gate. You can spend hours prepping food and they won’t eat it so I didn’t bother.

From about a month before we started I would make our usual meals (eg bolognese sauce, lentil curry, fish or cottage pie) without adding salt at the cooking stage and then blend a couple of adult-sized portions in the blender we already had, freeze in ice cube trays and then decant into a labelled freezer bag. That way you end up with a variety of meals available and can defrost a cube at a time until they start eating more.

I did about half puree and half finger food, so would offer some pasta as finger food along with the bolognese. Or some broccoli with the fish pie.

I think it's good to plan for a mix. That way, if you happen to get a baby who strongly prefers hands or strongly prefers spoons, any prep you do won't be all wasted.

A high chair, loads of bibs and a floor cover! I just mush food with a fork, no need for anything expensive. Don’t bother making things specially, just give them what you’re having, or finger food. The first 6 months are really for tasting an learning.