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
Baby Milestones – 9 to 11 Months
1 min to read
What’s a healthy breastfeeding diet?
If you’re breastfeeding, a healthy breastfeeding diet is important as it can affect your baby as much as you. Get tips on what not to eat when breastfeeding and what to eat when breastfeeding.
2 mins to read
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full
Did you know? The longer a mom breastfeeds, the more she responds to her baby’s signs of fullness.
2 mins to read
8-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
About the size of a robin’s egg, your little one measures about 30 mm long. Learn more about this week.
3 mins to read
How To Keep Your Child Healthy
You can't stop your child from getting sick, but you can certainly reduce the chances by following some basic principles to promote a healthy lifestyle and strong immune system.
3 mins to read
How to encourage baby’s first steps—in 10 steps
It can be both thrilling and terrifying watching your baby’s first steps—or at least, attempted steps.
2 mins to read
Your baby’s step-by-step guide to texture
Once your baby has mastered smooth purees, it’s time to offer textured foods. Experience with different textures helps him develop the skills for chewing.
1 min to read
How much food to feed your baby at 6-7 months / 8 months / 9-11 months
While feeding your baby, understanding how much food he/she needs can be tricky.
2 mins to read
Why your baby needs to be active
Did you know? Spending time playing with your baby at this age can lead to him being more active when he’s a toddler.
2 mins to read
First foods can influence your child’s future tastes
Did you know?
3 mins to read
When Can Babies Drink Juice – You may be surprised...
Think before you drink!
1 min to read
How much food to feed your baby at 8 months
With a little knowledge and observation, you will easily be able to identify when you have fed your child the appropriate amount of food.
2 mins to read
Your baby proofing action plan
It’s a good idea to baby proof your house before the big arrival. Read our baby proofing tips, from baby safety locks to baby corner guards, to minimize the risk of accidents at home.
1 min to read
Baby Not Interested in Eating Solids – Understanding the Process
Did you know?
3 mins to read
12-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
You’re coming to the end of your first trimester. Congratulations! Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Why Play Is Good For Baby's Body and Mind
Your little one is bursting with energy from dusk till dawn and loves making new discoveries.
3 mins to read
Baby talk: How to encourage baby’s first words.
Your baby’s first words are likely to happen after a few months of baby talk.
2 mins to read
Top 5 nutrients and how to get them
Choose foods containing these key essential vitamins and minerals to help your baby develop healthily.
1 min to read
Baby Milestones – After 6 to 7 Months
A few key milestones in your child’s development
1 min to read
