1. Blender or Food Processor
We have both, but we used our blender a lot more when it came to making our own baby food as we started with purees. You can find tips and recipes for making your own baby food in this post I wrote a while back.Even if you plan on baby led weaning, I still recommend having one of these around, maybe the processor more so than the blender as it would be great for chopping up veggies, nuts, and other hard foods.
2. Apple Slicer
Our toddler loves apples and having an apple slicer is so much easier and quicker than trying to cut an apple with a knife.
3. Vegetable Peeler
This should probably just be in everyone's kitchen, but if you don't have one, now is a great time to get one! We use our peeler mostly for carrots and potatoes.
5. Ice Cube Trays
Ice cube trays are great for freezing pureed baby food so you can make big batches. Later, you can use them to make mini popsicles. If you don't have an ice maker, these are great for ice cubes, which will come in handy for teething or any bumps and bruises.We prefer silicone ones as they are easier to pop out than plastic.
6. Paring Knife
A toddler's food needs to be cut into small bite size pieces to help prevent choking, so having a few paring knives around definitely comes in handy.
7. Steamer
We have a rice cooker that has a built-in steamer. It's great for steaming vegetables, like carrots and broccoli, so they are softer and easier for your toddler to eat. You can also puree the soft veggies for your baby.Instant pots also have a built-in steam function, but if you don't have either of these appliances, you can buy a steamer for less than $30 on Amazon.
