After steaming, we added the carrots to the blending compartment of the baby food maker and blended the food according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We made notes of the consistencies of the purees, like whether they were smooth or had chunky pieces, along with the smell. We removed the pureed carrots from the machines to determine how many servings the food maker made. Then, we compared the consistency and texture of the carrots with a jar of baby food to note any variables and differences. Lastly, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to disassemble the baby food maker and clean it by hand, noting if the cleaning process was difficult or easy. Feeding your baby can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Just when it seems like you’ve got the bottle or breastfeeding figured out, you realize it’s time to start offering your little one their first bites of real food. Which might get you thinking…should I invest in a baby food maker? Size: Know the volume your baby eats, and buy a pouch that corresponds or is a little larger. You can always fill it with less food, but if you overfill it and your baby does not eat the whole container, you’ll need to toss out the leftovers, which is wasteful. Steam fruit, vegetable, meat and fish then blend for nutritious homemade baby food at the push of a button. Use the automatic timer to set steam and blend times for ‘Michelin starred’ mush meets five-star convenience.

The manufacturer’s instructions are a breeze to follow and include illustrations (and recipes!) on how to use the product. You’ll also find instructions directly on the motor base that detail how to turn the batch bowl to begin blending. To blend, simply press the bowl down onto the base and blend to your desired consistency. You can continuously stop pressing the bowl during blending to replicate a pulse function. The biggest downside to the machine’s design is the short cord. Otherwise, it’s surprisingly quiet compared to other baby food makers we tested.You just need the food to be smooth enough that it easily passes through the opening of the pouch, so anything that’s pureed or the consistency of pureed soup or yogurt will work.Generally speaking you can do: While some baby food makers are an upfront investment, the appliance can help you save money, time, and energy in the long run. Many baby food makers do more than steam and blend baby food; some self-clean so you don't have to hand wash, while others warm baby bottles and reheat food.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT). Baby Food Makers I also like this set of 3.4 ounce Weesprouts reusable pouches a lot, which are a nice size for babies (there is a larger size too!) and they are easy to clean and use. Favorite Store-bought Baby Food The number of baby food pouches you need will vary based on your frequency of use and how willing you are to wash them regularly. To find the best baby food makers, we referred to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for guidance on when babies can start eating solid foods and the different stages of food consistency. We also spoke to parents and medical professionals, including Arunima Agarwal, MD, and Brandi Naccari, MD. With this expert guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated baby food makers on the market, considering their design, ease of use, effectiveness, ease of cleaning, and overall value. We then narrowed our list to 16 baby food makers, which we put through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City. The Béaba Babycook Express isn’t ideal for cleaning due to several nooks and crannies that can collect gunk if you don’t properly wash. On the plus side, there are several dishwasher-safe parts, and the wide opening of the water tank makes it easy to reach inside.This unique baby food maker is the only one with a glass bowl, if you are looking to avoid plastic products. Four settings allow you to steam, cook, blend, reheat or defrost all in one appliance.