Weaning: What to Feed, When to Feed, and How to Feed Your Baby

You don't really feel you should need a book to tell you how to mash a carrot! This book is really helpful however in suggesting 'tempting' flavours and combinations to try out and, most importantly, what your baby should and shouldn't be eating at various ages. Plus, the recipes for later months are certainly more adventurous than I would have assumed you could be with baby food. Doesn't preach any particular style of weaning but gives simple straightforward advice. There are also lots of hints and personal stories to help with any problems. Very clear layout in age bands, plus handy reference charts. Yes, you could probably find everything in this book online fairly easily but it's a nice helpful book which gives you all the information you need in one place (and I'd rather wipe mashed banana off a book than off the laptop!!)

My daughter had very clear ideas about preparing food for her baby: she wanted to prepare all from scratch, using the best ingredients. Things have changed since she was a baby, so we needed guidance and ideas. This book delivers! While the author never loses sight of the fact that every baby is an individual, she gives lots of sensible advice and some wonderful recipes. Result:- one happy baby boy, a confident new mum and grandmother, and a delighted new dad, who enjoys feeding his son and takes a real interest in the recipes. And an aunt who has declared herself taster-in-chief so she can try things at home for herself! The salmon and sweetcorn chowder is the favourite so far. Brilliant!

Bought this book when LO was 6 months as felt a little bit lost in the weaning jungle. Should I purée or should I use baby lead weaning (blw)? Was I a terrible mother as had let my little boy try food before six months or terrible as he was 5 and a half months so I was depriving him? The one thing I have definitely learnt so far in motherhood that whatever I do I always am in fear of being wrong - and this is where this book was best. It's bright, cheerful and full of really easy to read information and facts about weaning and feels more like a supportive friend than a bossy nanny. A first for me was that it had suggested weeks menu plans so you can actually see how you build up a range of flavours at the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I didn't follow it precisely as I'm just not that kind of gal, but it helped me work out where I was going wrong (and more so, where I was going right). A lot of people will but this book for the famous AK recipes, which are great, but certainly at the fist stage they're not rocket science - keep the nutrients in and salt out - but if you are not someone who cooks from scratch a lot it will be useful. Or, if you are like me and you do prepare veg at home a lot, it will reassure you that you are doing it right. Second stage recipes look more useful as is the advice on how to batch cook and store what you make so you're not constantly chained to the hand blender. Something I'd not found elsewhere, was that each recipe said what goodness was in it - like beta-carotene or vitamin A. Also gives you advice not the balance of meals - protein, carbohydrates and fruit/veg so you don't think that a pure fruit purée diet is enough. This is very useful and I do use this in my menu planning as a quick guide as to whether the meal is right or not. As for negatives, as with any recipe book the cost of ingredients varies and as to be expected there is a lot of plugging of other AK products to help you on your weaning journey. Also, watch out who you buy this from. I purchased from a verified Amazon seller who sent me the American version of the book - cue lots of googling what rutabaga was and being amazed that pawpaw and guava are ubiquitous fruits in the States (I got a full refund btw as the copyright notice on the book pictured her is clearly for GB not US). After being told by all my friends with babies that I didn't need to buy a weaning book as all the information was available not he internet, I really, really wish I had bought this book sooner. It armed me with all of the information in a bright, cheerful way and made me feel a lot more confident.

Loved this book, perfect for taking me through the complete weaning process. Easy to follow recipes and helps and tips to make the whole process easier. My baby is now 11 months and I still make lots of his fave dinners from here such as the lentil and sweet potato stew and salmon corn chowder. Annabel also provides some really useful snack ideas and finger food suggestions which have proved a hit with my little one. The menu planners give you a good overview of a typical days food which as a new mum is a great sense check. Would recommend this book to all weaning parents.

I'm not sure what I'd do without this book. It gives excellent guidance on when and how to wean with really clear instructions on what is suitable at which age. Really easy recipes too - my twin boys have not turned anything down from this book except avocado! I feel that they are getting the best start in life as I am able to give them fresh, nutritious food and I know exactly what goes in it!

Excellent guide to help the weaning journey. I did a course and this was recommended and I've read it through a few times as I've prepared for, and started weaning. Its really simple to read and understand and suggests a course of purees and finger foods to help wean your little one. I've tried some of the recipes and they are lovely, and easy to adapt yourself based on what ingredients you have/your little one likes. Its also been helpful in teaching me how to cook some veggies which I've never used before, like butternut squash. I have recommended this to friends.

Beautiful photos, wonderful recipes. This has inspired me to make healthy food for my baby--started at 6 months, and am still going at 10 months. This book will "teach" you how to use simple ingredients to make healthy age appropriate foods.

Excellent

Fantastic guide for getting your little one on the road to eating. Nice recipes which can be used for the whole family.

Great book

I bought the book because a friend of mine had recommended it to me. I bought it second hand and it is in an impecable state, all went very well and certainly very good value for money! Although not everything in the book was new to me, I think it was very useful. Certainly the recipes were inspiring and offers many combinations I would not have ever thought of. So all in all it is a great help. The only thing I miss is more recipes!! Specially for the different seasons, since if the baby is weaning in winter, you may not find the same seasonal veggies as in the summer.