On this Page:

• Pros of a baby food maker and processor
• Cons of a baby food maker and processor
• So, do I really need a baby food maker and processor
• What to look out for

As your baby approaches the time to start solid foods, you may be wondering do I need a baby food maker and processor? If you are asking other mums you’ve probably received various different answers. Some mums swear by them and others make do without a special baby food maker and processor. So read on to find out if a baby food maker and processor is right for you!

Pros of a baby food maker and processor:

• Saves you money – making your own baby food is way cheaper than buying store bought baby food. Plus you can experiment with the fruits and vegetables that are in season.
• You know what you are feeding your baby – if you make your own baby food, you will know exactly what you’re feeding your baby. You can cook up fruits, veggies, meat or fish in your baby food maker and processor. Plus you can limit the added sugar, salt and preservatives found in store bought food.
• Helps to introduce foods that the rest of the family eats – you can start baby off on the right path of eating the same food as the rest of the family. Simply blend together a small portion of the family meal of the day. This may also reduce the chances of your baby becoming a fussy eater.
• Saves you time – a baby food maker and processor will save you time. They are designed with busy parents in mind. After prepping your fruit or veggies you can pop them in the steamer, put on the timer and then go and do something else.
• Environmentally friendly – instead of filling your bin with store bought baby food jars or food pouches, you can use reusable food pouches or even tupperware containers to store your homemade baby food.
• It’s not only for baby – your baby food maker and processor is not limited to purees. As your baby gets older you can control the blender to make foods with more texture. You can even use it to steam and blend veggies to make soups or sauces for the whole family.

Cons of a baby food maker and processor:

• Time consuming – while actually steaming and blending your own home made baby food only takes a few minutes,  the prep work can take a bit of time. Peeling and chopping the fruit and veggies takes more time than the actual cooking! Not everyone has this time.
• An extra gadget – maybe you already have a steamer and/or a blender? So you don’t need an extra kitchen gadget that will take up valuable space.
• Storage space – homemade baby food will need storing, and doesn’t last as long as shop bought baby food. You will need to refrigerate or freeze larger quantities of homemade baby food, which may take up valuable space.

So, do I really need a baby food maker and processor?

The answer to this question is totally up to you. Many parents can make do with what they already have in their kitchen be it a blender, food processor or even a fork to mash soft fruit or veggies by hand. However, if you are planning to make your baby’s every meal a baby food maker and processor may become your go-to appliance in your kitchen.

Time is something that comes at a premium when you have a new baby around the house. So having the convenience of being able to throw the veggies into a puree machine (along with a little bit of water), turn it on, and be able to go and do something else in the meantime may just be a life-saver.

What to look out for:

If you have decided that you want to make your own baby food and your budget will stretch to a baby food maker and processor, then there are a few things to look out for:

• Is it dishwasher safe and easy to clean? – Many baby food makers have different parts and accessories that will need cleaning. To make your life easier look for machines that have dishwasher safe parts and that are easy to wipe clean.
• BPA free – with all the controversy surrounding BPA (Bisphenol A) it’s a good idea to choose a machine that is BPA free to ensure the health and safety of your baby.
• Does it have a timer? – A timer can prove invaluable for busy mums. It means you can prep and pop the food in the steamer and go and do something else. This means you don’t need to constantly check on the food being cooked.
• Different settings – Look for different blending settings. This will enable you to produce either smooth purees when your baby is starting solids, or chunkier textures as your baby progresses.

Finally:

A baby food maker and processor can be an awesome addition to any kitchen. It allows you to make healthy or even organic food for your precious little one. If you give one a chance, you might never go back to feeding your baby store bought baby food ever again!

Reference:

The top 9 baby food makers (an Australian guide 2022)