If you are getting started on making your own baby food, I’m sure you are wondering what you need and how to get going. Seeing the meal plan instructions with all the materials needed may be a little much to take in at one time. So a good place to start is being prepared by getting everything you need in order. This is an all encompassing list of everything you may need to make baby food. 
You do not need everything on this list, but there are options in each category based on different preferences. For example, maybe you want the most budget friendly option, or only glass containers, etc.
I’ve listed some of the materials in my baby food prep plans, but I have also discovered lots of new amazing tools. They make cooking baby food even easier and more fun!
After you are done shopping, you are prepared to get started. Make sure you save the meal prep plan that best fits your baby’s age:
- First up is Stage 1: 6-8 month purees
- Add a little more spice: Stage 2: 8-10 month purees
- And finally: Stage 3: Baby Finger Foods (10-12 months)
For Cooking
This is a comprehensive list, but you’ll probably have most of the tools already in your kitchen.
- Oven and cookie sheet
- Cutting board, great knife set and peeler
- Steamer or Aroma Rice Cooker with steamer
- If you don’t want to buy a whole new machine, you can use this steamer basket. It will just take up one of your pots. So to make a big batch, you’ll need 3 pots or more.
- Good set of pots and pans.
Pureeing Tools
For quick prepping, I like to use a combination of tools. My favorites are the ninja and hand blender.
- Food processor – great for easy chopping but you may need something more powerful for carrots and harder vegetables.
- Immersion hand blender like this Cuisinart works well and it’s easily stored.
- Regular blender like this Ninja blender is perfect because it also comes with individual cups. This is what I initially used because I already had it.
- A baby bullet is a great option because it also comes with storage containers.
Storage Containers & Freezing
I’m all about making big batches of baby food, so a lot of trays is necessary to get a month’s worth of baby food. I have a variety of ice cube trays and also baby food specific trays. These are some of my favorites and other great options loved by many moms.
Why ice cube trays?? Each cube is 1 ounce so it’s a perfect amount for baby food. Stage 1: 2-3 cubes per meal, or 1 cube with baby cereal. Stage 2: 3-4 cubes or 2 cubes with baby cereal.
- You can start with just basic ice cube trays– 4-10 is ideal to freeze large quantities of food at a time, that will produce a variety of recipes.
- Ice cube trays with lids– 4 pack. Great for baby food, especially if you don’t want them exposed in your freezer. OXO Tot is a favorite brand for many and they also carry a covered freezer tray.
- There are a lot of options made specifically for baby food: Mumi&Bubi – 2 stackable trays with 42 total 1 ounce compartments. Comes with a lid and more compact than ice cube trays.
- Kid Simple-Budget friendly version of the Mumi&Bubi trays.
Individual Container Options
- These OXO Tot containers are great quality and really popular- they are individual containers and come in 4oz and 2oz.
- If you want glass, these baby food glass jars are amazing. They come in a pack of 12, 4oz jars.
- Similarly, the Sage Spoonfuls container set has 12 plastic containers- excellent quality and price.
- BabyBliss Baby Food Silicone Storage Tray– 9 cups, 2.5 oz
- Weesprout Silicone Tray– 10 cups, 1.5 oz fit perfectly in their pouches.
- My personal favorites are the Elacra 3.4 oz containers, because they come in a pack of 10 and are great quality. I also have the larger variety which holds baby food finger meals perfectly.
Pouch Systems
There are some amazing reusable baby food pouches! You can still have the best of both worlds. The convenience of buying pouches is a common reason many state for not making their own baby food. This way is healthier, cheaper and just as convenient!
- Weesprout Food Pouch– 6 pack, 5 fl oz- Great reviews and nice that you can see the inside. Only downside is the small amount- so these are a good choice if you don’t think you’ll want a lot of pouches.
- Infantino squeeze pouches– You can get packs of 50 or 100!
- Infantino squeeze station– No mess here! They have this homemade baby food pouch thing all thought out.
- A pack of two infantino spoons that can be attached to the pouches.
Feeding
Many times, you can use one of the baby food storage containers as a serving bowl. This way- you can put the lid on if your baby didn’t finish. There are also some specific dishes for babies and accessories you and your baby may like!
- Munchkins bowl set
- These munchkin spoons last forever, my toddler is still using them now that he feeds himself.
- Mash and feed serve bowls for when you want to just grab a banana and avocado for lunch.
- People love these- super convenient tool to feed your baby with: Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon.
- Waterproof silicone bibs– with catching pockets. The pockets come in handy, even more when your baby starts self feeding!
- Amazing for teething! Turn some baby food into popsicle sticks with this Nuby Garden Pop Tray.
Baby Finger Foods
Finger foods are a little bit different in terms of cooking and eating, which is why there are some new unique items for this transition. It’s an exciting phase though, especially when they are fully feeding themselves. Can get very messy though!
Cooking
- Regular Muffin Pan
- Mini Muffin Pan (These are a perfect size for baby and toddler food. But if you don’t buy one, you can use a regular muffin tin and cut them in half)
- A cookie sheet (2 if you don’t have mini muffin tin)
- Parchment paper and aluminum foil
- 2-4 mixing bowls
- Optional for making bite size meatballs or oatmeal bites- Scooper
- Plastic wrap and freezer ziploc bags
Storing
- Elacra 6 ounce baby food containers
- Glass option for storage containers, 5.4 ounces.
Eating
- Silicone place mats with plates or get this super cute cloud design. They transition perfectly with your child to finger foods and self feeding.
- Eating on the go: Disposable silicone mats are perfect for restaurants!
Resources & Recipes:
Besides the meal plans featured here, these are a couple great books for more recipes and ideas:
- 201 Organic Baby Recipes– Great starter book with lots of interesting and easy recipes
- The Big Book of Organic Baby Food– Very Thorough and goes beyond purees.
And that’s it! You are all set to get started, just pick the right meal plan for you:
- First up is Stage 1: 6-8 month purees
- Add a little more spice: Stage 2: 8-10 month purees
- And finally: Stage 3: Baby Finger Foods (10-12 months)
Happy Cooking! Did I miss any of your favorite baby food cooking tools? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
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I learned more thing from this article. for that thanks for sharing this article with us,
Hi! wonderful reading and great for my baby food.
As being a mother of three kids i would like to add two things which can be helpful for everyone who are have newborn baby 1st one is baby monitor and 2nd one is breast pumps. Both of these will help you a lot. Happy weekend!
Thank you Shantall for your detailed Ultimate List to Make Baby Food! I love all the options you mention.
Which pureeing tool do you find most helpful? Also, how long would you say the pureed food’s shelf life is after you puree it?
Hi Carolyn! I use our Ninja blender- I like that I can choose the individual cups versus the bigger blender when needed. But most blenders or hand immersion blenders work great also. The food will last a week in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. If you are interested in batching food to freeze, check out the meal prep posts!
Thank you Shantall for the great info. Appreciate it. 🙂
Thank you for reading!