Ahead of baby’s weaning journey, Laura Mason notes the best kitchen essentials to keep you both on track
Best for on the go: Fill n Squeeze Starter Pack
This is an ingenious product for parents who want the benefits of homemade food to be available to their baby while on the go. Simply make up their favourite purée and then fill the sterilised pouches through a unique funnel system. Label, date and name the food and it’s ready for a family day out. £20, kidly.co.uk
Best hand-held essential: OXO tot Mash Maker
The Mash Maker food mill allows you to purée what’s already on your plate, effectively transforming ‘grown-up food’ into a meal for baby. The steel blade grinds a variety of foods with ease, including meat, and you can even scoop and serve from the top without having to disassemble the device first. £25, lakeland.co.uk
Best for inspiration: Ella’s Kitchen The First Foods Book
It’s great having all the kit, but for a helping hand in compiling nutritious snacks and meals, this cookbook is full of creative ideas, with more than 130 recipes. Choose from veg purées to full meals – each one rigorously tested. There’s also tips from nutritionists and other parents. £7.49, amazon.co.uk
Best for organisation: Vital Baby Prep & Go Food Pots
Batch cooking and freezing is a really efficient way of preparing and serving home-cooked meals. Vital Baby’s ranges of pots are freezer safe for storage, and the clip-on lids make them safe for snacks and travel. A perfect way to mix up baby’s diet without needing to cook each mealtime. £6.29, vitalbaby.com
Best cooking essential: Philips Avent 2-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker
This machine is a steamer and blender in one, so no need to transfer food during the cooking process. Steaming is a great way of retaining essential nutrients, so once the food is cooked, you flip it over and blend to your baby’s desired consistency. Et voilà! £125, amazon.co.uk
