Yesterday, I shared some strategies for starting your baby on solid foods. If you haven't read it, I suggest you start there before reading this post. Today, I want to talk about tools for easy prep and feeding.
The Blender
There are a lot of machines out there for specifically making baby food. Based on some input from other moms, I chose the Beaba Babycook and was farely happy with it. I really like that it cooks the food by steaming and then easily converts to a food processor. When making dinner, I would put veggies in it (usually whatever we were having), start it up and not have to worry about it until it was done steaming. It's also very easy to clean. The one thing I did not like about the Beaba is that it does not get the texture of food super smooth. For Jackson, that was a problem, especially as we were just getting started with eating. It took me a while to figure out that he didn't like any chunks in his food.
I eventually started using the Vitamix blender for a lot of baby food making, although I continued to use the Beaba for at least steaming veggies. The Vitamix created the super smooth texture that Jackson liked. I also used it for making barley cereal.
You could really use any strong blender or really good food processor, so don't feel like you have to get a new appliance just for baby food. If you are thinking about buying something for baby food, I encourage you to just buy a really good blender. Something like a Magic Bullet or Ninja blender would probably work well too.
Storage
You also have a lot of options for storing baby food. I started out using the Beaba molds and just didn't like the extra step of removing them from the molds and storing them in a ziploc bag. I still use the mold because I have it, and they are nice for when I'm making a big batch of something.
My absolutely favorite storage container I found was the OXO Tot Baby Blocks. I started using the 2 oz size, which was perfect for the small portions you start with. Later on, I used the 4 oz size for when Jackson's appetite increased. The nice thing about these containers is that you can continue to use them long after your done making baby food. I use them for lunches, salad dressings, protein powder, you name it! They are great.
I ended up buying a small freezer a few months into my baby food making as it can take over your everyday freezer. Small freezers are not too expensive and we still use this for bulk food storage.
Feeding
What you actually use to feed your baby is completely about your preference. My favorite spoons are the Beaba First Stage Spoons because they are soft and just the perfect depth for little mouths. Bibs, which Jackson still wears, are very important and I liked the ones with the trough at the bottom because he was/is a messy eater.
I liked giving Jackson the option to experience food in his mouth and with his fingers so I often put food out where he could feel it too. Sometime I would put a big piece of the fruit or veggie in front of him to show the connection and let him experience the food in its true form. This Tiny Diner tray is wonderful for this and I used it at both home and restaurants.
Maybe you've already realized that high chairs take up a lot of room?? We were in a very small townhouse, so instead of a whole seperate chair, I just use this booster seat that attached to a chair. I have never regretted this purchase. We still use it and I've never really wished for a high chair.
So there you have my summary of favorite tools. I'm going to put together one more post on how I go about the actual making of baby food. Be on the lookout for this post in the next couple of days.
Are there any tools that you use and love? Please share in a comment below.
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