weaning without a microwave

[KleineMaus]

Can this be done? When I weaned DS1 we had a microwave. We don't have one now and haven't really missed it so wasn't planning to buy another one, but not sure how I'll cope with weaning DS2 without one. Don't want to cook everything from scratch every day, but not sure how best to re-heat frozen portions other than in the micro. Any advice?

We don't have a microwave and it hasn't been a problem with weaning DD as she just eats what we do anyway.

defrost your portions first, then warm them up in a small saucepan. you might need to add a bit of water to prevent drying out.

As humptynumpty says, though I think if you're reheating food make sure it's hot and then cools down, rather than just getting it up to lukewarm. We did a mix of baby-led weaning and mashed food, so sometimes meals were what we were eating mashed up a bit more (with salt added for ours after).

To be honest I would just empty the frozen portion in to the saucepan ona low heat for a fast defrost.

Or put frozen portion in a sandwich bag and float in warm water which you replenish every few minutes.

Reckon you could easily do it, especially if you do baby led weaning!! Sticks of cucumber, banana, apple, avocado don't need anything doing. Also can eat the veg you cook. I hardly used the microwave this time round.

We didn't have one last time and I am seriously considering getting one this time. I found defrosting/ saucepans etc, not impossible, but a faff.

Can't remember using a microwave at all with DD's weaning. Have you thought of BLW or just blending whatever you are eating?

Yes, thanks rasputin, I suppose I know that, but it does seem like a faff and I wondered if anyone might know of a better way. To be honest last time round I did very little pureeing and freezing, but I was thinking now I have a toddler as well as a baby to sort out I might have to be a bit more organised. Have been reading up on BLW on here and although I'd heard of it before it sounds slightly terrifying and a bit rigid, i.e. the stuff about not putting food in their mouths.... I remember DS1 choking on apple until he was about 18 months and it was really scary. I do think pureeing is a bit of a waste of effort though, I mainly did mashing and I think it definitely helped speed the transition to proper solids. Also, we were lucky with DS1, he had teeth by 4 months and could devour toast by 5 months.

If you do BLW they are less likely to still be choking on apple at 18 months as they will have more practice with different textures from an early age. DD is 12months and will happily sit and eat a whole apple with no problem at all, and has been able to for a while. Also, its amazing what they can manage without teeth DD managed meat, toast etc very well without teeth! It doesn't have to be rigid though - you can do a bit of both. Just go with what suits your family.

I dont have a microwave and the way I heat food is either in a pan or steamer.

'Can this be done'

!!!

Let me see, microwaves have been around about 25-30 years, babies have been weaned for..... mmm yes I think it might be possible

We don't have a microwave or freezer, I didn't do any special cooking for either child, they just had mashed up version of whatever we were having.

They were weaned at 6m and it was sort of a combination of mushed up our food and blw of anything they could grab (although blw hadn't been 'invented' then, its just what people did without a fancy name...).

If I did need to heat anything I used a saucepan.

I was always told you should not heat food for babies and little'uns in a microwave as it can superheat the food, or leave hotspots in food which will burn their mouths.