Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner

Review Summary: Great for getting started

Review:

I bought this book on the recommendation of so many mums, and it was a great help to get started through the minefield of weaning - I found the first and second stage recipes a great help, although some of the second stage ones are a bit too similar.

Unfortunately, having now reached the 9-12 month section, I'm finding it a bit less useful. The recipes still seem to be based around creating a purée, when my 9-month old is quite happy with lumps and likes finger food. I was also very surprised to see the 9-12 month menu planner with milk feeds 5 times a day, and had hoped for some direction in reducing these.

I notice Amazon package this book with the 100-purée book - having bought one and borrowed the other from the library, I'd say the content is about 90% the same, so save your pennies and just buy one!

Review Summary: Baby weaning Bible!

Review:

We simply refer to this book as 'The Food Bible'. I have used it constantly since starting to wean my daughter. She is now over one and I'm still getting my money's worth out of it. Some of the recipes have become family favourites! Simple, practical recipes which are tasty, what more could you ask. I found I picked about 5 or 6 from each age range and kept cooking batches, adapting to suit what i had in the cupboard, and to my daughters changing tastes. Good practical advice and a great starting point for weaning and cooking for a family.

Review Summary: learn to love cooking!

Review:

I've never been one for cooking, and I was never taught how to cook either.
This book has been great for learning how to enjoy cooking, and both my son and I have really benefited from it.
The recipes are simple, and I still dip into the book now, even though my son's older, for inspiration. The pages are covered in food splashes and half of them are repaired with sellotape, a sign of a well used, well loved receipe book :o)

Review Summary: Essential for every Mum facing the weaning milestone!

Review:

I bought this book, along with the Gina Ford one, because everyone I know has it and so I figured they were on to something! Have to say I have been really impressed with the information in it and also the recipes. I've used them as the basis for weaning my daughter - initially the puree recipes are pretty basic and you wonder why you needed a book but now she's nearly 7 months, the recipes give great ideas for introducing protein and different foods. They also tell you about good combinations. The only thing I don't like is the timings of meals and bottles as Annabel seems to have an extra feed a day so I simply used Gina's timings and Annabel's recipes which worked for us. I felt quite daunted by the prospect of weaning, feeling like we'd just got the whole milk/breast/bottle thing sussed but like with all things baby, read a few books and then adapt to your needs & you'll be find. Happy pureeing!

Review Summary: Fabulous book for advice and recipes

Review:

I have recommended this book to everyone. It's full of good advice for different weaning stages. And I cook the 9months + recipes for my husband...he always says how nice they are and then I tell them that the meal was designed for a 12 month old!! Lovely food for babies, toddlers, and adults.