Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner - 4th Edition

I bought this book when I had my second child, having weaned my first child purely on tins and jars of baby food. I so wanted to avoid the multitude of nasty looking baby food in the supermarket with a shelf life of 25 years but really didn't know where to start because I was confused about what vitamins and nutrients were important for my baby's healthy development. This book, together with the Baby Meal Planner by Nicola Graimes, showed me the way and gave me the confidence to prepare lovely food for my babies. I am surprised by the amount of reviews that comment negatively on the huge variety of fruit and vegetables in these books. For me and my family it paved the way to much improved, healthier more interesting mealtimes and has given me the confidence to try all kinds of foods I would never have bothered with in the past. As for cooking just for the children, this never happened in my house because all of the recipes are easily adapted for the whole family.I agree that for more accomplished cooks these books may seem a little basic and boring, however, if you are lacking in confidence and a bit confused about what kind of foods you can give your baby and when, then I would suggest you give this book a go. I am now the confident, proud mother of four beautiful boys who all have very healthy appetites.As for the dreaded sugar and salt, I would say everything in moderation and use your common sense. I omitted the salt from most recipes and used low-salt stock cubes. In my experience children who are never allowed anything sweet or salty are always the ones shoving handfuls of sweets and goodies in their mouths at parties - forbidden fruit? And how will they ever learn about self-control if you don't allow them to have anything other than a carrot stick?

Found this book so good I used nothing else to get my son onto solids. Plenty of variety in the purees and there were very few that my son didn't like. There are plenty of the first stage weaning recipes which give you good ideas for older children (eg I sneak courgettes into mashed potato thanks to the excellent courgette gratin)I started using lots more recipe books as we moved from baby to toddler, as I find most of the toddler recipes in this one are a bit bland for my husband and I. I'd say it's not to be considered a family recipe book (I don't think it intends to be either as Annabel has a separate family recipe book out!)Baby 2 is on the way and I will be relying on this book again.

This is the only book any first time or experienced mother will need for weaning their baby. There are some wonderful, easy to follow day by day charts to guide you on how to wean and when to feed the food you'll be making. Easy to follow recipes included as well as guidance on utensils etc you'll need. This is my fourth child and I bought this now that he's four months old in time for weaning at six months. The book has helped me prepare and now I feel confident and ready to wean when the time comes.

I like the summary before each stage of weaning, the planner and recipes were great and easy to make

I purchased this book as a present for a new mum with a note saying 'I know its abit boring and practical but it will give you a chance to flick through, before you need it!' I first purchased this book when I had my first child in 2003. I wish someone had purchased it for me as a new mum book! It really helped getting ideas of foods which can be pureed together and then how to tempt them on to lumpier food. My son eat liver, chicken, lamb all recipes in the book! I still use recipes for both my sons still, especially the fish in orange and pineapple muffins! They still ask for the wholemeal rusks! I was proud that i never used a shop jar of baby food for my kids, even when we went away! Great for batch cooking and freezing. You'll also need a few ice cube trays for first stage weaning and small plastic storage containers suitable for freezer and microwave.

Brilliant book - I got this for use for my 2nd child and wished I got it for the first now! The recipes are easy to follow and yummy too. Really helpful planner inside for trouble free weaning. Would recommend to any parent - whether your child is a baby or a toddler