A purpose-designed baby-food maker or blender saves you time and trouble when you're making homemade baby food - perfect for when you are weaning your baby.
When you wean your baby at around the age of six months, you might want to make at least some of their food. Cooking your own baby food means you know exactly what they're eating, can adjust your recipes to suit their tastes, and often works out cheaper. Even if you are doing baby-led weaning, then you'll still be making purées with a baby food blender, as they're great for your little one to have as a dip with finger food.
The best baby food makers and blenders
A purpose-made gadget can make the whole process easier. There are all sorts on the market, ranging from a simple tool to blend food into a purée to a gizmo that cooks the meal as well.
These 'one-stop-shop' gadgets mean there's less washing up as everything stays in the machine's bowl or jug from start to finish. You might even be able to programme the whole process, so you simply press one button, and everything happens automatically, allowing you to get on with other things. We all know the importance of being able to do ten things at once, so if there's a great gadget like a baby food blender or steamer that does three things in one, we're a fan.
Is homemade baby food better?
"In today’s busy world, it’s all too easy to reach for a jar of commercially prepared baby food. However, there are many reasons why preparing homemade food for your baby is a preferable option. Here are some of the reasons why," says Dr. Deborah Lee.
A large amount of medical research now exists to support the fact that the first 1000 days of a baby's life – from conception to age 2, is fundamental for their lifelong health. The details of baby and infant feeding are hugely important.
Commercial baby food is a type of ultra-processed food (UPF). By definition, UPF is any food that has been altered during the manufacturing process in order to improve taste, texture, colour or extend its shelf-life. Jars, bottles, packets and pouches of pre-prepared baby foods are all UPFS. The problem is that the manufacturing process alters the nutritional value of the food, can affect a baby’s taste buds and preferences for food in later life, and can expose them to additives that might be harmful, says Dr. Lee.
Statistics show that 72% of 7–9-month-olds have at least one UPF meal a day, and 23% almost always eat UPF meals. Only 6% of parents never buy commercial baby foods for their baby. Parents need to be made aware of the potential harm of a baby relying on UPF foods on a regular basis, and should be encouraged to feed their baby natural and whole foods where possible, says Dr. Lee.
Commercial baby foods are UPF foods, which are typically higher in fat, sugar and salt than homemade baby food. Follow-up studies of babies with a high UPF intake show a clear link with childhood obesity. UPF foods tend to be sweeter, and babies fed on UPF at any early age are more likely to develop a sweet tooth in later life. Consumption of UPF in baby and childhood is also linked to dental caries and an increased risk of heart disease in later life, says Dr. Lee.
There has been concern about the level of heavy metals – lead, mercury and arsenic – in commercial baby food. In fact, these metals are found in the soil and are present in tiny amounts in many of the foods we eat, however they are grown and prepared. "Even home-made baby food will contain traces of heavy metals. However, homemade baby food is likely to contain less. The Food Standards Agency advises that parents ensure their baby has a varied, balanced diet, containing oats, rice, fruit, and vegetables that is age-appropriate," says Dr. Lee.
Don’t
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Add any fat, salt or sugar to the food.
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Use stock cubes or gravy granules for babies.
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Use other salty ingredients such as bacon, ketchup, mayonnaise or marmite.
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Use sweeteners – not even honey.
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Give babies raw or uncooked eggs or shellfish.
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Give babies whole nuts. Babies can have nuts and peanuts from the age of 6 months, but these must be finely ground or made into nut butter as they can cause choking. "In fact, it’s a good idea to introduce nuts to a baby as research shows that babies who have not been given eggs from 6-12 months of age are more likely to develop a nut allergy," says Dr. Lee.
Do
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Before pureeing, wash and peel any food products, remove pips and skins, and chop them into small pieces. For meat and fish, remove bones.
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Introduce one new food type every 3 days to check for signs of food intolerance. Look for a skin rash, diarrhoea or vomiting.
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Gradually give them slightly lumpier food as they get older and introduce finger foods such as slices of banana, soft cheese or pasta.
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Always give your baby dairy products that have been made from pasteurised milk only. Unpasteurised cheeses such as brie, camembert and goats’ cheese can cause listeriosis.
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Always buy eggs stamped with the Lion mark which means the eggs are from hen’s that meet higher welfare standards. So long as this is the case, a baby can eat a soft-boiled egg, says Dr. lee.
Benefits of using a baby food blender
There are several reasons why you might want to use a baby food blender, from the obvious benefits like convenience and ease of use, to taste development, nutrient retention and the control of ingredients. Baby food blenders will also help you save money compared to buying ready-made baby food, and you can decide on the portion sizes you want for your child.
How to use a baby blender
Baby blenders can be used in just a few simple steps. The steps might differ slightly according to the product you’re using, however usually you’ll need to coarsely chop the vegetables or fruit you want to use, then pop it in the bowl, attach the lid and select the desired speed. Depending on how fine or coarse you’d like your food chopped or puréed, you’ll need to alter the length of the time you run it for.
The best baby food makers and steamers
Best baby food maker overall
Amazon With a big capacity and loads of functions, the Babymoov Nutribaby Plus Multi-Function Baby Food Processor is perfect for parents who want to whizz up some delights for their little ones. This baby food processor warms baby bottles and jars, sterilises, steams, defrosts and blends. Reviewers commented that with two compartments it also allows parents to cook different foods separately, making sure you can retain all their vitamins and minerals with different cooking times. However, it can take a while to warm food. We think, although it is quite pricey, the product comes with a lifetime warranty, and our mum tester said it took up minimal space. It is also super simple to use with an LCD screen, and it allows you to add more items during blending. Our mum tester Caroline Kirk, mum to Sonny, six months, and Rowan, five years, in love with this product said: "Wow! I had no idea such a great all-in-one product like this existed. It's not cheap, but it comes with a lifetime warranty, looks sleek and modern, and takes up minimal space on my kitchen work surface. I particularly like that it collects the liquid from the food, so you don't lose any nutrients."
It was Shortlisted in the 2020 M&B Awards Best Weaning Product category.
Read our full review of the Babymoov Nutribaby Plus.
Pros
- Five functions
- Two baskets
- Total capacity of 2,100ml
Cons
- Warming food takes a while
| Maximum capacity: | 2,100ml |
Best multi-function baby food maker
Amazon This all-in-one gadget steams, blends, reheats and defrosts, so we can totally understand why one review said it's a 'must-have product'! The classic Babymoov Nutribaby also has two compartments, so you can cook and blend simultaneously. With just two buttons it is simple to use and it has a high capacity, meaning you can prep far in advance. One downside however, is that it does take up a lot of room, so not ideal if space is limited. Impressed with how helpful this product is as a baby food maker, one mum said: "This is a must-have product if you have a baby/toddler. I ordered by recommendation, and I am satisfied with it. It is very easy to use, large space where you can make food for the next day as well and keep it in the refrigerator."
Read our full review of the Babymoov Nutribaby
Pros
- 4 pre-programmed functions
- Separate baskets
- Easy to use
Cons
- Takes up a lot of room
| Maximum capacity: | 1500ml |
Best baby food maker for batch cooking
Amazon A fan of batch cooking? You'll love the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker! Think this product is fantastic as it can steam, blend, defrost and reheat food for your little one. This baby food maker also uses the same jug to steam and blend, saving on washing, and making it easy to clean, which is a bonus, however, it has been noted that the boiler is more tricky to clean. Our tester thought it was brilliant, but would have liked another storage pot, a must for batch cookers! Tested by Ramya Krishnamoorthy, mum to Niralya, eight months, glad and impressed with the style said: "Expensive but a good investment, as it has everything you need for stress-free weaning. It's stylish, compact and very easy to use – one button does everything from setting the timer to blending, reheating and defrosting. The storage pot provided is useful – shame there's only one. I like the visual indicator to let you know when food is ready."
Read our full review of the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Steam Baby Meal Maker
Pros
- Steam, blend, defrost and reheat
- Cook up to four meals at a time
- Clever steam, flip and blend design
Cons
- Boiler is difficult to clean
- Only one storage pot
| Maximum capacity: | 1000m |
4.
Tommee Tippee Quick-Cook Baby Food Blender and Steamer
Best baby food maker for different textures
Amazon The Tommee Tippee Quick-Cook Baby Food Blender and Steamer is perfect for prepping food in just a few minutes. Whether you want to prepare fruit, veg, meat, or fish, this can blend the food into a range of textures, depending on your baby's needs. We love that this product also comes with a smart memory function, so it will remember your last programme, perfect if it's one you regularly use. And if you're stuck on what to prepare, then it comes with a handy recipe guide too. One reviewer said she'd be lost without this product, because it can do so much without having to precook the food. Mum of four Emily, agreeing with how easy this product is to use said: "Fantastic. I have just had baby No.4, so these products are all new to me as I never had anything like this before, and I can't believe I didn't. Now, this is in my life. It's so much easier. I can just pop the food in, set the settings up and wait for it to be done instead of boiling/cooking the food, waiting to cool and then blend without the worry of one of the other children getting in the kitchen and knocking the pan off the hob or having to stand over it and watch. This saves washing up, utensils and time. Very delighted with this product, and I would be lost without it."
Pros
- Automatic timer
- Works quickly
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Less capacity than other baby food makers
| Maximum capacity: | 200ml |
5.
Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper
Best budget baby food maker
Amazon The Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper food processor is small but mighty! Although it isn't specifically for baby food, it will whip up your baby's food in no time and is simple to use. Your food will be blended, chopped, mixed and puréed in seconds, by simply adding it to the bowl and attaching the lid. The fact that it's dishwasher safe is simply brilliant because is means there's less to wash up. One reviewer loved the mini chopper because it's a great size if you're looking for something to store away when space might be at a premium. Happy with how simple the Judge JEA75 Electric Mini Chopper is to maintain, one buyer said: "This is easy to use, clean and store due to its small size. No large food processor bowls that don't fit on a drying rack. Easily makes fairly uniform breadcrumbs and chops onions. Have yet to try hummus or a burger mix, but I'm sure it will be fine in here as well. A good alternative to a full-size processor."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Small enough to store away
- Dishwasher safe bowl
Cons
- Not a specific baby food maker
| Maximum capacity: | 500-700ml |
Best easy-use baby food maker
Amazon NutriBullet now have a baby food maker and it's a hit with many parents. By simply adding your ingredients to the cup or bowl, and putting it on the power base, you'll get instant results. We loved that the product comes with six storage cups, which are perfect for keeping your baby's food in, and you can easily change the size of the food you need from purée to larger chunks. One downside is that it's quite noisy, so not ideal if your baby is having a nap. In awe with its size, one buyer said: "Absolutely love the design of this blender as well as the containers! Everything is a nice size. Not too big nor too small! The product works very well and I have no complaints. I absolutely love the dials on the little containers as I now know exactly when I made the purees without having to use a label!"
Pros
- Comes with six storage cups
- Storage cups come with dials instead of having to use labels
- Easy to use
Cons
- Quite loud
| Maximum capacity: | 340ml |
How to choose a baby food blender and what to consider before buying
There are various things to consider when choosing a baby food blender, of course which one you choose will ultimately depend on your budget, as they vary from £25 up to around £150 or more.
Firstly decide which is most important to you, is it the ease of use, the one with a built-in steamer, or something else which is more important to you and your family’s lifestyle. You should also consider where it might fit in your kitchen, do you have space to leave it out permanently, or would you need to find cupboard space for it.
How many functions will you actually use on your baby food blender?
More functions typically mean a higher price tag. So, consider carefully what you will use – do you like the idea of lots of different modes or prefer something relatively uncomplicated?
Which gadgets do you already own?
Thinking about what's already in your kitchen cupboards will help you work out which functions will be worth paying for. For instance, some baby-food makers also double as baby bottle warmers, but if you've already got one, then you can ignore this function when deciding which gadget to go for.
How much kitchen space do you have?
If this will be a permanent addition to your kitchen for the next year, check that the machine's footprint won't take up too much of your worktop space and that its height allows it to slide under your wall cupboards. Or if it's going to be stored between uses, will it easily fit in your cupboards? You also need to ensure you have enough storage for homemade purées and meals.
Check what's included
Some baby food blenders come with additional weaning accessories, such as cube trays for the freezer or food storage pots. Think about whether you'll use them and whether it would make more sense to buy them separately.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
What is the difference between a baby blender and a normal blender?
The main difference between a baby blender and a normal blender is that baby blenders are able to blend the food to a fine purée, while a normal blender might not.
While you can use a normal blender for baby food, not all models will be suitable, so it’s worth testing it before you plan to use it. Many baby food blenders also allow you to steam, boil, stew and stir food, as well as puréeing it, meaning that it’s all done in one gadget, saving you time and space.
Are baby food processors easy to clean?
There's no point saving time cooking if it means you'll spend more time washing up. Check that the different components can go in the dishwasher if you have one and that they aren't fiddly to take apart and assemble again after each use.
How often will you use a baby food maker?
If you're planning on cooking all your baby's food from scratch, then this gadget will probably sit permanently on your worktop. But if you're simply intending to whizz up some of whatever you're already cooking for tea at the weekend, then a smaller, more portable machine that you can easily take in and out of a cupboard might be better.
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.