As you all know, Finley is at that weaning stage. I'm not yet confident enough to make my own baby food as it terrifies me, so poor little Fin was scheduled to miss out on a festive din-dins this Christmas. So when I was contacted by HiPP Organic a couple of weeks ago regarding their festive range, I was really excited.
Well, Finley is one lucky little boy! HiPP Organic sent him lots to try from within their range, from stage 1 to stage 3, in his very own personalised stocking and, true to the claims, festive they are...
Stage 1: Apple & Cranberry Breakfast
Stage 1: Sweet Squash, Sweetcorn and Peas pouch
Stage 1: Parsnip, Sweet Squash and Chicken Dinner pouch
Stage 1: My First Sunday Dinner jar
Stage 2: Parsnip, Potato and Turkey Casserole jar
Stage 3: Chunky Beef and Vegetable Casserole jar
What's important for me at this weaning stage, is that food is tasty and wholesome. I could stick with creamy mashed potato or yoghurts for an easy life but it's no good for Fin's health or palette.
Being nervous in creating my own dishes for him, it's wonderful to be able to trust and rely on brands such as HiPP Organic to bring a variety of tastes and textures to the table that are appropriate for his stage.
Being nervous in creating my own dishes for him, it's wonderful to be able to trust and rely on brands such as HiPP Organic to bring a variety of tastes and textures to the table that are appropriate for his stage.
Whilst Fin can't tell me what he thought, I can tell you that he wolfed the stage 1's down without a single grimace or smacking away of the spoon. In fact, he'd shout at me when it was finished! I'd never feed anything to my kids that I wouldn't eat myself so I also gave them the taste test myself.
Apple & Cranberry Breakfast
This was nice! A thicker Stage 1 than other brands, it has a creamy smooth porridge kind of texture that doesn't just slop off of the spoon. The flavours are subtle yet tasty enough to make it different from normal breakfasts. The sweet and torte combination of the apple and cranberry really compliment each other very well!
Sweet Squash, Sweetcorn and Peas Pouch
I could taste no peas at all, and the puree was more yellow which suggested that there aren't many in there anyway. The squash really did come through though making a lovely combination with the sweetcorn. Given that sweetcorn also has a strong flavour I was quite surprised at how well I could taste the squash.
Parsnip, Sweet Squash and Chicken Dinner
I could open and heat 5 of these pouches, pop them in a bowl, and eat with warm buttered bread on a rainy miserable day. Incredibly tasty, reminded me of a thick chicken and veg blended soup, again with that lovely strong sweet squash flavour cutting through.
Finley had a whole pouch of this for lunch yesterday, he was going nuts when the bowl ran empty so kept having to get more until it was all gone!
My First Sunday Dinner
Like the breakfast jar, this puree is thicker and a little more rustic to other brands. It reminded me of carrot and swede mash, in texture.Very different tasting to the pouched chicken dinner, it was much more chicken'y thanks to lesser flavoured veggies compared to the sweet squash.
I'm looking forward to cracking open the Stage 2 Turkey Casserole, hopefully he will be ready for these lumpy bits by Christmas Day but if not at least I know that the rest of the festive range goes down a storm and Finley won't have to miss out on a Christmas Dinner this year. HiPP Organic is clearly a brand that Finley likes!
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| Example of product types. (Not prize) WIN! WIN! WIN! |
From pouches, jars and tray meals to fruit pots, juices and cereal, HiPP Organic are passionate about using only the very best organic ingredients to create wholesome & nourishing baby foods. Their own organic fruits & vegetables are grown naturally on dedicated organic farms, where they are left to ripen naturally and are then harvested at their plumpest & sweetest. These extra special ingredients are then gently steam cooked to protect the nutrients and keep every ounce of flavour.
The result is a delicious range of baby foods bursting with flavour & natural goodness, suitable for every stage of your baby’s development and all meal times.
I've teamed up with HiPP Organic to offer one of you lovely lot the chance to win a hamper containing a selection of the entire HiPP Organic range. The more ways you enter, the more chance you have of winning this amazing prize. Great way to start the New Year!
GOOD LUCK!
Comp closes 11:59pm 14/01/2015. Ship to UK Mainland only. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery.
Hipp Organic Hamper giveaway
I found it best to introduce new things one at at time. It helps to identify any allergies or intolerances they may have to the food! Then you can really start mixing things up! x
ReplyDeleteWe love the Hipp organic range, we've used their milk and the food goes down well too x
ReplyDeleteGive them a variety of foods and see what they like. Experiment with colours, shapes and textures :)
ReplyDeleteDon't stress if their progress seems to take a step backwards for a while - they'll get there! :)
ReplyDeleteIts good to have ready meals for toddlers that are healthy and not full of unhealthy additives. Nice giveaway
ReplyDeleteMy weaning tip would be to take one day at the time. Don't worry if your little ones doesn't like something one day, try again in a couple of days. Apparently little ones can try the same food loads of times before liking the taste/ texture/ flavour of it.
ReplyDeleteA great range - always try to give organic food where possible
ReplyDeleteTake your time... lots of small amounts. (@bexallum on twitter)
ReplyDeleteTry lots of different things and be patient
ReplyDeletei can definitely imagine the breakfast one being nice. great hamper for a baby
ReplyDeletetake your time, they may not want to try certain things at certain times but keep persisting
ReplyDeleteL started solids couple of weeks ago, for now i would say be relaxed and dont push your baby into eating solids take it easy
ReplyDeleteA great range
ReplyDeletenice and healthy stuff
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about how much they eat at first as it's all about 'food is fun' :)
ReplyDeleteStacey Guilliatt
Start off with baby rice.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great little kit although I do recommend making and blending your own foods. You can get lots of ideas from local children centre x
ReplyDeletefab range no sorry I adopted at four years old!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry if they make faces, spit it out or play with it, it doesn't necessarily mean they don't like it, it's just all a strange new experience to them and they need to get used to it :) xx
ReplyDeletetry baby rice :)
ReplyDeleteDon't get too caught up with deciding between BLW and jars etc, i found it so much easier to ust go with the flow and give baby a variety of options each day, it was so much easier
ReplyDeleteDon't rush things, so much better to take things slowly :)
ReplyDeletestay calm and be patient
ReplyDeleteI was very patient. I just let my monkey do what he wanted and it went from there. Baby led weaning definitely gets a thumbs up from me
ReplyDeleteNot too sure what to say - we were lucky that our son seemed to like everything from a very young age.
ReplyDeleteHave fun
ReplyDeleteHave patience and be calm about the mess
ReplyDeleteBe patient as it can be a long process
ReplyDeletetry to introduce as many new foods as possible when weaning however one at a time
ReplyDeletebe patient and keep trying
ReplyDeleteI don't really have great tips expect don't force it and make sure it not unhealthy
ReplyDelete@oneisjamie
I did a mix of purees and baby led weaning and that worked for my 2!
ReplyDeleteTammy Westrup
@tkw2014
invest in a mouli, they are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteRelax. Take it at babies pace and remember food is fun until they are 1. Its all about baby trying new flavours and textures. x
ReplyDeleteBuy icecube trays (the Annabel Karmel ones with lids are very good) and freeze basic purées in them to begin with (apples, pears, carrots, etc). Once frozen, pop them into a bag and store. When needed, pop one cube out to defrost. Simple way of introducing babies to basic foods made from scratch.
ReplyDeleteA great range - leanne w
ReplyDeleteBe patient and take each day as it comes! It takes time but once the baby gets the hang of it, it is great fun!
ReplyDeletegive th child a spare spoon and dont be afraid of the mess
ReplyDeleteWpatience - be very patient. And try food they don't like immediately again and again
ReplyDeleteTry to be relaxed, and offer lots of choice, in tiny portions at first.
ReplyDeletewould be perfect for Skyler, she'll be starting all this soon x
ReplyDeleteWe introduced new tastes and textures slowly.
ReplyDeleteMake it fun and dont stress
ReplyDeletemake your own meals from your everyday dinners, freeze it, minus the salt and sugar. only use jars/packets/pouches when you are out for the day to make life simpler
ReplyDeleteLearn yourself baby first aid, even if it's just by watching a youtube video, so if LO does choke you can be confident you'll know what to do.
ReplyDeleteDon;t worry about it and do it when your little one is ready. Try a variety of foods and pre prepare and freeze when you get a chance to save hassle later on.
ReplyDeletePatience is a virtue :)
ReplyDeletego slow and try and stick to savouries for as long as possible
ReplyDeleteStart with the sweet stuff first - apples, pears, carrots and parsnips.
ReplyDeleteVariety, Social and Enjoyment / Fun I believe are important in the weaning process. Allow the baby / child to develop :- gradually become proficient at self feeding. Learning can be fun for all the family, rather than being viewed as a chore :- Taking pleasure in the child's interest in food, cutlery etc.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
try things that are easy for them to swallow.
ReplyDeletedont force and always remember its a scary time but baby will let you know there limits x
ReplyDeletetake things at your own pace - don't let anyone else tell you what's right for you and your child x
ReplyDeletebe patient
ReplyDeleteSippy Cup Instead of Bottle, when you are gradually weaning.
ReplyDeletestart with baby rice and rusks mixed with babys own milk
ReplyDeleteMost the baby weaning tips have been covered but one for mum is to cover yourself with a tea towel or something similar so you don't end up with baby food all over you! x @hanrwalker
ReplyDeletelet them get messy!
ReplyDeleteOnce my little one had got used to being spoon fed, i introduced finger foods at 7 months, and try to give him some finger food items at every meal so that he gets to practise feeding himself as well as getting a good meal from me spoon feeding him.
ReplyDeleteLet them use their hands
ReplyDeleteDon't worry if they barely touch a meal sometimes. Babies are pretty good at controlling what they eat :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE HIP GOOD QUALITY MY SON LOVED IT AND NEXT IS MY DAUGHTER
ReplyDeleteWe have followed baby led weaning with both our DD. Our youngest is 8 months and loving food. :) We still use products such as these though to let her get used to using spoons and dipping things in. Yep - messy! I would totally recommend BLW - it is such a joyous, sociable way to eat with babies.
ReplyDeleteTry not to get to stressed about it all and go with the flow
ReplyDeleteDont stress over mess! Make meal time fun for little ones. Babies copy our facial expressions so plenty of smiles :)
ReplyDeletedont overload their immature digestive system, little and slowly :)
ReplyDeleteBe patient and try various food
ReplyDeleteTake things slowly dont try and force them to eat more than they want
ReplyDeletebe patient
ReplyDeleteNot yet - waiting on our first!
ReplyDeletebe patient and take it slowly , there is no rush
ReplyDeleteI love the Annabel Karmel freezer trays with portion sections - perfect for first tastes!
ReplyDeletetry a wide variety and let them lead you !
ReplyDeleteTry colourful foods - babies love bright things
ReplyDeletebe patient and let them do it in there own time
ReplyDeletebe patient and have plenty of variation and choice available.
ReplyDeleteStart with some really milky baby rice - it's the same taste as their milk and remember that they have to learn how to eat from a spoon. It's very different to the teat of their bottle xx Good luck xx
ReplyDeleteAlways have a back up of something they like, that way you can experiment with different flavours and textures and they still have something to eat if it isn't a good day! :)
ReplyDeleteplenty of savoury before you start to introduce the sweet stuff.
ReplyDeleteKeep Smiling! It varies from baby to baby and you have to work out what is best. My son ate everything you put in his mouth and my daughter would have none of it! Like I say - keep smiling!
ReplyDeleteNot just yet - baby on the way :)
ReplyDeleteJill m - go with the flo
ReplyDeleteJust because your child doesn't eat something once don't let that stop you trying it again
ReplyDeleteBatch prepare! Make a load of sweet potato mash and freeze in ice cube trays to use as and when needed
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've learned from my picky son, is to try absolutely anything in the way of foods, and then keep trying until you're certain they don't like something, we kind of gave up and now (after 5 years) is finally getting out of being picky. My daughter is turning 4 months next week we will be doing this haha.
ReplyDelete