Have only ever given DS2 (9mo) jars - where do I start with real food?

[BettyButterknife]

I feel like a total slattern over this, especially as I used to be a food journalist, but I have found life with 2 kids a bit of a struggle and as a result have weaned DS2 almost exclusively on jars.

I'm going back to work now and feel like I should be properly meal-planning to make sure we don't spend too much time or money on cooking multiple meals.

Not really sure what I'm asking - I suspect I know the answer really - but is it easy getting a jar-head to eat proper food? Where do you start? How do you find the time to make food for them? Why do I find it so impossible to be organised??

It's not a bad idea to simply chop up what you're eating and offer it to them that way. 9mo they can cope with chewy things, lumpy things and should be fairly handy with a spoon. Jars are pretty bland from what I remember so they'll probably relish the new tastes. You'd avoid seriously spicy things to start with, and watch the salt content of course, but the quicker they get used to eating what the rest of the family eats, the fewer problems you'll have.

I used to make up batches & freeze - much easier to be organise that way ;) -

Things such as rice, with lots of different chopped up veg in a cheese sauce are good & freeze well - you can buy little tubs in poundland etc which aare a good size & stack well in a freezer

agree with chopping up your own meals though, but without giving meat, wheat, mushrooms etc until a bit older - fish is okay as easier to digest

Oooooooh I'd be curious to know how you get on with him, mine is 2yo and still loves the bloody things :(

Batch cook and freeze in ice cube trays. Then you can bag up the ice cubes for instant meals.

(Ice cubes taken OUT of bags and heated to appropriate temperature first OBVIOUSLY.......)

Agree just give what you're having or whatever is left over from the family supper blitz it with a blender and give the next day so he's a day behind with his meals. If there is enough to freeze then freeze a portion too and you'll soon be feeding "properly".

Easy meals that my 9 month old enjoys is beans on toast, tuna/cheese pasta, cheesey mash, mashed veg ie turnip/swede/sweet potato, jacket potato and beans.

Just give them exactly the same food you are having, maybe cut up into chip-sized pieces. As long as it's not nuts, and cherry tomatoes and grapes are cut in half, then your child will be fine. There is no need for you to make extra work for yourself by making different child meals.

Cook your evening meal, take out a small portion, plonk it in front of him. Jobs's a good'un.

No need for mashing/pureeing/whizzing/blending or any other kind of processing!

p.s. meat, wheat, etc all fine from 6 months. We still keep small portions of bolognese, cheese sauce, etc in the freezer for quick meals where you only have to boil some pasta

These are great tips, thanks. I'm back at work three days a week and spend the other two looking after both DSs - 3.5yo doesn't nap so I don't have much time in the day to cook. Sounds like I need to get used to making meals suitable for us all in the evenings and save portions for the boys to have the following day.

I am trying to lose weight - I suppose I could make whatever we're having and add extra cheese/yoghurt/olive oil for them (dh and I don't eat meat or fish). We also tend to eat a lot of spicy dishes and lots of pulses which I think would be hard to get the kids to eat. Might have to be more conservative for a bit, or give the kids pizza or fishfingers on those days!

We don't eat meat either - as far as you eating spicy foods go, you can add cream or creme frais to any spicy dish & this will take the heat out of it - the more you add, the milder it is, mix up with rice too & it becomes mild enough for little ones - we used to do this a lot with DD, with chilli, curry etc etc

My DD is 16 months and loves spicy food, hot mustard, horseradish, etc. The first taste she makes a face then goes back for more!

Fantastic! Will give it a go. DS2's favourite food at the moment is raspberries - like yours, he makes a face but gets stuck in. Perhaps he's inherited my tastebuds after all...

Whenever I make an evening meal for us suitable for DS (11 months), such as spaghetti bolognaise, macaroni cheese, mild chicken curry etc. I make extra and freeze about 4 portions. Then I always have a variety of meals for him in the freezer. Makes it very quick to sort out dinner for him too.