Weaning

[EmmaDoran]

Hi -

Just about to start weaning my son and am wondering what I need to buy. I've bought a blender/mixer thing but apart from that there seem to be about 20 different bottles and cups which claim to 'aid the transition' plus myriad plates, bowls, spoons, 'magic mats'(?), floor protectors, ice-cube tray things for tiny portions of food etc.

And then there is the issue of which highchair...

Any advice/tips welcome.

Thanks!

[Beagle]

we started weaning a fortnight ago and I have a pack of tommee tippee spoons and a three pack of their lidded storage containers and some bibs. I mix up the rice/veg in the storage container and feed from it using the spoon.

Apart from ice trays and ziplock bags I haven't needed anything more. It's still very tiny amounts of food I am feeding.

If I find I need more stuff I will get as I need it, but this "streamlined" system works for me now with minimal investment.

Haven't even opened the high chair box yet.

[Pickle]

Don't be fooled into buying too much expensive "official" weaning kit, it's really not necessary. A pack of the plastic soft spoons is a must.

Instead of using branded tubs etc. I used some large ice cube trays (each cube was about a tbsp full), froze my purees in those and then transferred them into standard zip lock bags. Much easier and takes up a lot less room in your freezer. At the beginning I did batches of different plain veges, then could grab a variety of 3 different cubes (or so) for a meal - better to do that rather than large batches of mixtures only to find baby doesn't like them!

I bought an expensive Chicco highchair for #1, within his first year I'd got rid of it (far too many cracks and crevices for puree splatters to get into) and now we are a family of Tripp Trapp chairs - still going strong now and my children and 4 and nearly 3.

Good luck!

[Saffron]

Offer lots of finger foods, and you'll find you can skip a lot of the 'weaning equipment'. Especially as it's coming up to summer, plenty of soft fruits are coming into season. Many vegetables such as squash and sweet potato don't need to be pureed. Just steam them in chunks a size your baby can hold. Most of all, have fun. xx

[Fuschia]

Ikea antilop chairs are just fine

[Helen GV]

look into baby led weaning too, following on from what saffron says above. a load less faff :)

[MichelleT]

We're doing baby led weaning, avoids having to buy most equipment. All I have is a sippy cup, doidy cup, plate and some plastic spoons. we have the baby dan high chair which is essentially a cheaper Tripp Trapp - I wanted something that would fit under our dining table and not look too out of place.

[buggie]

Have found the Annabel Karmel weaning book good, and have now borrowed the baby and toddler meal planner to help me feel confident varying things.

Sounds like your sorted pot wise - tip would be to err on smaller portions otherwise you can fill the pots up quickly (and then worry that you won't vary things enough :-$) - unfortunately, as with everything to do with being a mum, you can easily beat yourself up about things you are/aren't doing weaning wise!

[EmmaDoran]

Thanks everyone! All very helpful!

xxx

[Ko]

ikea plastic aprons for babies/toddlers are a lifesaver - fully sleeved and a big pocket to 'catch' drips and drops. about ?4 for two.

[sophiechristophy]

just buy one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Care-Booster/dp/B002YK2WMI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby&qid=1300919000&sr=8-2

and one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-led-Weaning-Helping-Your-Baby/dp/0091923808/ref=sr_1_cc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300919036&sr=1-2-catcorr