Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit
Now the adventure really starts! Introducing solid foods to your baby is a lot of fun as they adjust to new tastes and textures, and you discover lots of new facial expressions you didn’t know your baby had. We have put together a handy list of baby first food essential items to help with weaning.
- If you decide to start with purees, a blender or hand-held blender can make things a lot easier.
- Hand-held mashers and sieves are also good for purees—and they’ll give you a work-out!
- Plastic bowls suitable for the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer. The ones with suction cups on the bottom can help cover off the food-throwing phase.
- Small, smooth round-tipped plastic or rubber spoons—these are gentle on your baby’s delicate mouth and gums.
- You might want to buy a spoon with a long handle for getting into jars.
- For the tech fans, you can get spoons that change color if the food is too hot, although you should still always double check the temperature first.
- Wipe clean plastic bibs can help cut down on outfit changes. Weaning is messy—babies like to play with food, it’s all part of the fun.
- Cloth bibs are handy to wipe up messy chops—buy a few though to rotate with the laundry.
- An apron to keep your clothes nice and clean.
- Ice cube trays to freeze portions of purees and freezer bags to store the cubes—great for batch cooking.
- Baby cup or beaker. Free-flowing spouts (without a valve) helps to protect teeth. Be prepared for little spillages.
- Reusable pouches are great for when you’re out and about—fill them with your own homemade purees.
- Baby bowls with tight fitting lids are essential when you’re on the go with baby.
- Larger plastic bowls for stage 3 weaning—ideally get a couple with dividing compartments.
- Baby highchair—look for one with strong straps, which is easy to fold away, has easy to clean removable tray, covers, and cushions, and adjustable height settings for when your baby grows. There are loads of high-quality, barely used weaning items on local Facebook groups and Freecycle if you want to try second hand.
- A feeding schedule stuck on the fridge to track what your baby has tried, and how often. It can take up to eight tries for your baby to get used to a new flavor, so don’t give up.
- Baby booster seat. For when your baby is older, a baby booster seat ties to your own chairs meaning you can enjoy mealtimes together.
- Messy mats or a shower curtain. Not essential but if your baby is fond of throwing food, you may be thankful for one of these. Did we mention that weaning is messy?!
- Now you’ve got the kit, read our checklist on how and when to start complementary feeding.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/getting-ready/
Related articles
Acceptance and Refusal – 12 to 24 Months
When feeding your baby, understanding how much food he/she needs can be tricky.
2 mins to read
Understanding The Power Of Proteins
Proteins are often known as the “Bricks of Life”.
3 mins to read
The importance of responsive feeding for lifelong health
Did you know? Both pressuring your baby to eat more, or restricting how much she eats, can interfere with her growth.
3 mins to read
Baby Self Feeding – What to Expect?
Gone are the days of spoon-feeding him purées, it’s time to roll out the wipeable mat for your independent eater! Let your toddler lead the way on his adventures in food.
6 mins to read
Baby constipation - symptoms, causes and treatment
Constipation doesn’t only happen to grown-ups; babies and children get it as well.
2 mins to read
10 tips for a sound baby sleep routine
Baby sleep routines can vary enormously, often causing poor parents many sleepless nights. Here are some bedtime routine tips to help your baby sleep through the night.
1 min to read
Playful Learning – The unseen benefits
Did you know? Imaginary play and ‘talking time’ are essential to your baby’s healthy development.
2 mins to read
How to Increase Baby Immunity with Child-Friendly Foods
Nothing is more painful than seeing your child fall prey to infectious diseases easily.
4 mins to read
Babies And Their Grandparents - The Beginning Of A Beautiful Love Story
Grandparents love looking after their grandchildren and can be a great help to you as long as they can retain their freedom! Make the most of this special relationship.
3 mins to read
Signs of Baby blues vs postpartum depression
Wondering how to know if I have postnatal depression? You’ve just birthed a human, your whole has been turned upside down, and you haven’t slept for what feels like an age.
4 mins to read
Healthy Baby Snacks On The Go – Get Inspired!
When your baby is hungry in between meals, think about nutrition and balance as you do with main meals. Avoid high-sugar, low-nutrient snacks.
1 min to read
Baby Milestones – 12 to 24 Months
A few key milestones in your child’s development.
1 min to read
Developing Healthy Digestive System By Including Probiotics In Your Child's Diet
There are billions of bacteria living in our digestive system.
3 mins to read
How to tell if your baby is full? Nine faces of feeding
It may seem like a whole new world now that your little one is starting to eat solid foods.
4 mins to read
Finding the right nutritional balance for your toddler
Latest research reveals that foods high in salt and sugar may be taking up too much space in toddlers’ tummies, leaving little room for foods that are high in essential nutrients.
3 mins to read
Baby Poo
Your baby's stools let you know how their digestive system is performing. Telling the difference between "normal" and "abnormal" can be difficult at first, but don't despair.
7 mins to read
Moving on to finger foods? Follow our baby-led weaning checklist
Wondering when to start baby food? Most babies are ready to start trying at around six months.
2 mins to read
Baby Sleep Development - Benefits
As well as recharging your baby’s batteries for tomorrow’s playtime, sleep can help his brain, body, and even vocabulary develop.
5 mins to read
Baby Blues
You are not alone. Almost two thirds of mothers feel down after childbirth.
4 mins to read
