If you make your own baby food, enter!

[Nicole]

My dear hippy, granola eating, Birkenstock wearing friend is having her first baby. She registered for everything under the sun except a baby food maker so that is what I want to get her since I know she'd love it. Can you recommend your baby food maker? And what do I need to get along with it so she has everything she needs to get started. Bonus points if it can be found on Amazon.

[dottyblue]

Are you sure she wants one? I made all my own baby food, but I used my existing kitchen items (food processor, blender, food mill etc). I didn't need another appliance taking up unnecessary space in my kitchen.

[isabel]

I've heard great things about the beaba. I kind of want one, except I'm a little scared of going too far down the rabbit hole.

www.amazon.com/Beaba-Babycook-Baby-Food-Maker/dp/B001LQCOIS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417447836&sr=8-2&keywords=beaba

[lizrd7579]

I just used a regular food processor so I could use it after I was done with baby food.

[eaky77]

A small food processor and ice cube trays work just as well as the expensive baby food makers. I would get her those, then maybe a baby food recipe book.

[luvvy]

I made all of G's baby food.  I used ice cube trays and a regular old blender.  It was cheaper and super easy.  That way I could throw a frozen chunk of food in a bowl and it would keep until we were ready to eat (at restaurants/friends houses/etc).

[candreco]

I'd maybe look into a baby food cookbook (kind of silly but fun, I think I had one from Williams-Sonoma with some more unusual combos in it), and the freezer containers for baby food instead. Like others, I just used my regular food processor.

[penguingrrl]

I would check if she's interested in one. I used my regular food processor for baby food. Also, baby led weaning is all the rage in hippie communities, so she may intend to skip purees entirely.

[cville]

Everyone I know who has one has this one: www.amazon.com/Beaba-Babycook-Baby-Food-Maker/dp/B001LQCOIS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1417448054&sr=8-3&keywords=baby+food+maker


But only 1 of the people I know who have one actually used it. Ha ha ha.

[pagas]

I made all of Finley's baby food, I think a baby food maker isn't necessary. Way easier to steam things in big batches, use the food processor and freeze it in ice cube trays.

[Nicole]

I know she doesn't have one already and I *think* she'd love to make her own baby food. So regular food processor? And what is this about ice cube trays? I have no idea about this stuff bc I didn't do it.

[smock]

I'm just using my regular old food processor, but here's what I did buy for feeding: silicone bibs; spoons; bowls; fancy ice cube trays with lids; a high chair; a travel high chair; the NUK mash and serve bowl for stuff like bananas and avocados; the Kidsme food feeder; and sippy cups.

But I agree that you might want to ask if she's planning to do purees, since a lot of people skip them these days.

ETA: I got these fancy (expensive) ice cube trays: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004A9ZF3Y/ref=ox_ya_os_product 

[dottyblue]

Dec 1, 2014 10:37:08 GMT -5 Nicole said:

I know she doesn't have one already and I *think* she'd love to make her own baby food. So regular food processor? And what is this about ice cube trays? I have no idea about this stuff bc I didn't do it.

If you aren't sure, I would get her something from her registry.  She likely already has a food processor or blender she can use, right?

[cville]

Geez Louise. LET NICOLE BUY THE BABY FOOD MAKER IF SHE WANTS.

[soozy87]

I used an immersion blender and ice cube trays.

[iamgrace]

I just used an immersion blender. I wouldn't get anything special, especially if she didn't register for it.

[thebuddhagouda]

I would probably get her something small she registered for and then a cookbook like others have suggested.

This is the one I used.

www.amazon.com/Cooking-Baby-Wholesome-Homemade-Delicious/dp/1416599185/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417448740&sr=1-3&keywords=baby+food+cookbook

[lilac05]

I also just used a regular food processor, immersion blender, and ice cube trays. (I think the immersion blender was my favorite, plus now I use it all the time!) She may not have registered for the baby food maker because of space in the kitchen, because she doesn't want to create more waste (since they're only used for a couple of months), or because she's planning to do baby-led weaning (no purées). I'd try to work it into a conversation with her before you purchase one.

If you won't have a chance to chat about her thoughts on baby food, I'd buy ice cube trays (with lids, if possible), a baby food cookbook, and some eating utensils, plus a gift card "to purchase a baby food maker of your choice" if you still have money to spend.

[styme46]

I used my Ninja blender and regular old ice cube trays. Cookbooks are a great idea though! I got tired of making the same old things so I'm sure K got tired of eating the same old things!

[eb777888]

I also just used my blender.

[eb777888]

Dec 1, 2014 11:10:15 GMT -5 styme46 said:

I used my Ninja blender and regular old ice cube trays. Cookbooks are a great idea though! I got tired of making the same old things so I'm sure K got tired of eating the same old things!

Yes, I also did the ice cube tray thing and ITA about cookbooks. 

[starlily]

Dec 1, 2014 10:33:39 GMT -5 candreco said:

I'd maybe look into a baby food cookbook (kind of silly but fun, I think I had one from Williams-Sonoma with some more unusual combos in it), and the freezer containers for baby food instead. Like others, I just used my regular food processor.

I second this suggestion. The WS Baby & Toddler cookbook with done OXO storage cubes would be a great gift. Maybe throw in some bowls & spoons too.

[jenny1223]

I'll be the dissenter here. I had a Baby Brezza food maker (steams & processes in one) and I loved it even though I also have an awesome food processor. Plus I think the baby food cookbooks are silly.

[muppetinma]

Dec 1, 2014 10:32:38 GMT -5 luvvy said:

I made all of G's baby food.  I used ice cube trays and a regular old blender.  It was cheaper and super easy.  That way I could throw a frozen chunk of food in a bowl and it would keep until we were ready to eat (at restaurants/friends houses/etc).

This exactly.  I steamed food in a regular pot with a metal colander in it, threw it in my regular blender, then froze it in regular ice cube trays.  Nothing special that I didn't already own, and all things that I still use now.  If she's really as granola eating as you say, I don't know if she'd want such a specialized piece of equipment. 

[gummybear]

Another vote for existing immersion blender and ice cube trays. Super easy.

[5hole]

If she's super crunchy, she may be planning to skip purées altogether and do baby led weaning...

[snipsnsnails]

Yep, if she's super hippie, make sure she's not doing baby-led weaning. No need for a baby food maker at all!

[Deleted]

See I loved the Baby Bullet because the baby food jars were helpful long after I stopped purees.

Anyway, don't get mom something off registry unless its clothing, small toys or books. Having to return something when you have a newborn and are afraid to leave your house is fucking annoying.