Weaning: What to Feed, When to Feed, and How to Feed Your Baby Hardcover – 1 July 2010

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 have just started weaning my little one and this book is an absolute godsend, if just for its recipes. You can get all sorts of information online, but it cant beat having a book next to you for quick recipes when you cant make your mind up and for variety. It has been written really well, with concepts explained in detail and unlike certain other authors, it lets mum be in control. There is no right or wrong when following Annabel Karmel.Also, being a vegetarian, there are enough recipes there to keep us going. However, its not a recipe book as such, its devoted to the entire process of traditional weaning, taking one step at a time. Its not really meant for people who follow baby led weaning nor for those who are just looking for the recipes. This book is not for the toddler years or once weaning is established. In a way, this works out to be expensive as she has another book which combines both these, but I still prefer this little book that fits perfectly on my kitchen window. I have read Gina Ford and a couple of other authors, but still find Annabel Karmel easier to follow and implement. Looking forward to getting to stage two soon!

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!!)

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.

As a new grandmother I have been keen to produce homemade food for my 10month old grandson as I did for my own children. I now have reusable pouches (a change from freezing ice cubes of bolognese!) and batch make meals and freeze for mum and ourselves. I have had this book a little while but waited to review it until I felt I had worked my way through most of the book. I have to say the recipes are excellent and there have been a few surprises. Liberal use of herbs, mozzarella and all are clear if they can be frozen. I firmly believe by introducing new tastes and textures you get a less fussy and more experimental foodie toddler. You can't beat these recipes, try a taste test with a commercially produced variety and the difference is huge. Our little man has eaten up everything on offer. If I had one criticism it would be less explanation and more recipes,