BPA free baby weaning equipment: part 2

Here is part 2 of BPA-free weaning equipments. It looks at bowls, feeding sets, spoons and training cups. We also include why it is important to consider BPA Free weaning equipment and getting started weaning tips.

For safe preparation equipment; hand blenders, mixing bowls, and containers see Part 1 - BPA-Free food preparation and storage equipment.

Plastic Weaning Bowls & Dishes Lightweight BPA free plastic is useful for Mums on the go. These bowls are free from BPA which means if you are in a cafe or restaurant you can ask them to heat them up in the microwave. However, you may prefer to ask for a hot bowl of water instead. Swiss company Bibi offer a good range of BPA free weaning bowls, some of which have a suction base so that the bowl stays on the table.
Spoons BPA free silicone or rubber spoons are gentle on small mouths, a useful feature if baby is teething and suffering from sore sensitive gums. Boon have created a clever BPA free squirting spoon convenient for traveling.
Training Beakers or Sippy Cups Get baby used to holding a cup early. A BPA free cup with two handles is easier for small hands to control.
Wooden Feeding Utensils Certified organic the bamboo range from Bambu Boutique is truly beautiful and a great non plastic, non-toxic, sustainable alternative to plastic cutlery and bowls. Check out their spork.
Table Sets Steadyco have produced an award winning range of BPA free table sets that help toddlers develop the skills and confidence to eat properly and with as little mess as possible.

Why is it important to think about BPA Free products for weaning your baby?

The key concern with plastic containers is that some of the materials used to make plastic may leach into your baby’s food and drink especially when heated. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a hormone mimicking element found in plastics labelled #7 (normally polycarbonate). In 2008, the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in children. Read more on Bisphenol A.

Tips for Weaning Baby

Start weaning at lunch time rather than in the morning so baby is not too hungry or tired to try something new
First foods for baby include; carrots, sweet potato (yam), parsnip, apple, pear and banana – all of which go well with baby rice
Give your baby a spoon as soon as he or she can hold one
Use frozen baby purees within six weeks (label with date and contents)
Stick with the same two or three foods for a few days before moving on
Give your baby one taste at a time, that way you will know better which he or she prefers and can detect any adverse reactions
Offer solid foods once or twice a day for the first month
Don’t give babies under 12 months; salt, sugar, honey, unpasteurised cheese
Don’t give babies under 6 months; berries, citrus fruit, nuts, seeds, raw / lightly cooked eggs, wheat based foods
Between 6 and 12 months your baby should still get milk each day, although the amount will vary depending on how baby is progressing with solids
If you are having problems with weaning, keep a weaning journal to see which foods agree and disagree with baby
Steer clear of petroleum based anti-bacterial sprays that emit strong smells as using these too close to meal times may mask the smell of your food and put baby off
Every baby is different so don’t be afraid to use different approaches, baby-led weaning might be another option to consider

What is Baby Led Weaning?

Baby led weaning allows babies to feed themselves. You don’t need a feeding spoon or purées as baby can use their fingers. Gill Rapley studied children’s behaviour towards food and found that giving six month old babies more control of their food led to;