Alice is now 7 months old and has naturally progressed onto the textured stage of weaning, known commonly as “Stage 2”. There are still finger foods alongside it, but for the most part its spoon fed mashed foods at meal times with finger snacks when out and about! This stage again is an exciting one as it opens up way more variety of foods and tastes, and is becoming increasingly easier for her to join in with most of our family meals.
One of the main/only things I have struggled with at this stage (and it has seriously been a pattern with them all), is that of being organised to have food with us or making an appropriate dinner for them. Pouches obviously help to an extent with this issue but the majority of the time it annoys me at the price when if I could just be a little more organised her meals would be no more expensive than what I am already making at home.
We were recently asked by OXO tots to test out some of their weaning tools, to see if it would make my life easier. They sent us the Baby food mill, roll up bib, easy grip spoons and flip lid snack pot (which is super handy for finger foods on the go).
Baby Food Mill
I find it rather exciting that in the short space of time between having each of my children, new products and gadgets swarm the market each in a bid to make our lives easier. But how do we know if they are any good or just a fad?
Having been through weaning with now 3 kids I can tell you that is a really good little gadget, which has not only made life easier, but is fun to use too! It has really taken the stress out of baby meals because whether you are at home or on the go, food can easily be blended into lumps suitable for Baby. It is a fantastic little gadget to make any baby food at home and we use it more and more with anything from spag bold, to Sunday dinners, casseroles and stirfrys.
Most of our meals are made from scratch and hardly ever use salt (and never sugar) in the cooking process and so are naturally baby friendly. I spoon a little into the mill, wind the handle and boom – baby food! No extra cost and left overs can be quickly mushed and popped in a tub for lunch the next day. Its obviously an investment but with a couple of weeks of not having to buy jars and pouches you quickly recuperate the money back! I am yet to remember to take it out with us, but I know life can only get better with it in tow.
I love that Alice is getting a taste for my cooking, with all of its herbs and spices, and will hopefully continue to be a good eater like her siblings!
Roll up Bib
The roll up bib is perfect for on the go as it not only fits nicely in the bag, but also is wipeable and easy to keep clean. It keeps meal time mess to minimum (unless you accidentally tip it down yourself – not that I ever have!!) and we have been using this on a daily basis too. I like the high neck as it stops sneaky foods staining the collars on her clothes, and I have found that Alice prefers it on for when she is having finger foods as she can easily find the lost bits and start all over again. Its like a little treat of half eaten cucumber sticks and bits!
For a bib its a little more than I would usually spend but I guess if your going to be using for a good year or so then its probably worth it. I guess you have to look at all the stained clothes your saving on too?!
Good Grip feeding spoons
You know you’re a mum when you become excited about the make up of blumming weaning spoon. But honestly, their spoons are the most comfortable I have found for feeding and I find them reasonably priced and do really enjoy using them. The contoured handle makes it easy to hold, the stainless steel core makes it feel sturdy and the narrow shape is really efficient at use as you can easily get it into babies mouth. I am assuming the silicon spoon part is fine…shes never complained!
Their products are really lovely and colourful, and I have found that they have really helped make this stage easier. I especially love those spoons and having a quick way to make her some food without having to dig out the blender…so excited to keep building that palette!
*Thank you to OXO Tots for sending us these samples to try and keep in return for an honest review. All thoughts and pictures are my own and we have been very impressed by the quality of their products.
