Should I buy a food processor or a blender to make baby food for my six month old and why?
I am trying to get everything I need to start my baby on food, she is almost six months old, any advice would be greatly appreciated. My shopping list so far is as follows:
1. High Chair – any suggestions?
2. Either a food processor or a blender.
3. Steamer – any suggestions
New mom, so please share your expertise, I live in a small place and am running out of space. Thanks very much guys!
January 17th, 2011 at 7:12 am
I used a hand blender to puree food. It worked great. I didn’t have to do it for very long though, before she was ready for stuff with more texture, so don’t buy anything too expensive, you won’t need it long.
I didn’t have a steamer, just boiled them until soft or nuked them.
At first, I fed her in her baby seat. Lots easier. When she was able to sit up a little better, I used a high chair.
January 17th, 2011 at 7:55 am
You absolutely should! My highchair is a Chicco … I LOVE THAT HIGHCHAIR it has a snap in tray that makes for super easy cleaning and folds up really slim it fits between my fridge and counter. I use a a hand held blender and make my own food, then put it into ice cube trays and then freeze it, once it is frozen I transfer to a plastic bag that is labeled. Then I take about 2 and put it in a take and toss bowl and let it warm up in warm water and there ya go!! You need a steamer because boiling food will make all the vitamins and nutrients leak out into the water and ultimately.. down the drain… I got a neat steamer from walmart that fits in any pan and it is sorta just a basket that unfolds… it was like 5 or 6 bucks and you just put water in the bottom of the pan… good luck and props to you for not choosing to give your baby food filled with preservatives! All of these are space savers!!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Progressive-11-Stainless-Steel-Steamer-Basket/10086660
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nesco-Professional-Grip-n-Go-Handheld-Blender-Kit/12337732
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Chicco-Polly-Highchair-Coventry/10972963
January 17th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Well, I’m not a fan of pureeing stuff. I’ve always just mashed things with a fork – yes, even when I first start weaning. The way I look at it is, we didn’t have blenders 100 years ago. I personally feel that pureeing doesn’t prepare babies for what food is really like, ie, with texture. I’m not saying give them steaks to chew, but I don’t think that food needs to be liquidised. And I’ve never used baby rice. Far too bland. Honestly, my kids eat anything. My eldest was eating proper curries at 7 months! (Mashed of course!) You can get hand grinders. The more you grind, the finer the consistency of the food. They’re only a few pounds.
As for steaming thing, just put them in a jug with an inch of water and some cling film over the top and microwave them for a bit depending on what it is.
January 17th, 2011 at 8:37 am
I have a Breville blender and it is excellent. I don’t use it for baby food, but here’s an article on doing so.
http://www.blendersreviews.com/resource-center/use-a-blender-to-make-nutritious-home-made-baby-food.aspx