Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner at a glance
Baby and toddler food expert and ‘Queen of Weaning’, Annabel Karmel, celebrated her 30-year reign with a brand-new edition of her first book, Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner.
We spoke to these real parent testers to get their review on the parenting classic...
How did this product make your life easier?
Kelly: Weaning is such an anxious and worrying time and this book broke down weaning into step by step guides which I found very beneficial and reassuring. I especially liked the best first finger foods section, and the recipes provided in the book are straightforward and easy to follow, as well as being healthy. The recipes are also adaptable for the whole family which saves lots of time! With the puree section, there is a lot of ideas about food and taste combinations that I wouldn't have thought of.
Holly: I just love the ease of this product. It covers so many stages of your child’s life & it’s not just a standard recipe/weaning book. It makes things easy for us as a family with a wide variety of content. Even though I’m not a first-time mum anymore I’ve still learnt so much from this book that I can incorporate into my baby's weaning journey & into my five-year-old's life.
Jessica: Finally a decent meal planner book! Everything you need to know from first stage weaning to preparing meals for toddlers is in this well presented, easy to use, hardback book. Every question you could think of in regards to your babies food journey is answered in great detail eliminating the need to do further research. Having a meal planner book like this takes the stress out of weaning and feeding your child.
Would you recommend this to other parents?
Charlotte: I would definitely recommend the book because it is organised in chronological order, so the recipes change slightly to suit the texture and flavours suitable to the age of your child. The recipes are also easily adapted to suit dietary needs or personal flavour preferences. I love that it is a hardback book too, so it's easy to wipe all spillages off!
Teleri: As it says in the title it as a 'complete' meal planner so there's no need for other books. There are a good variety of recipes and it covers all ages from the start of weaning up until they're a toddler. If another parent is nervous or inexperienced with feeding and weaning, then this also includes a good introduction on nutrition etc.
Kelly: I would recommend it. Weaning is such an anxious and worrying time and this book broke down weaning into step by step guides which I found very beneficial and reassuring. I especially liked the best first finger foods section, and the recipes provided in the book are straightforward and easy to follow, as well as being healthy. The recipes are also adaptable for the whole family which saves lots of time! The book is sturdy and good quality.
Would you choose this product above all others on the market?
Holly: Yes I would use this product above all others on the market. I trust it. I love the advice you are given throughout the book & it deserves to win. Any questions you may have about your child’s weaning journey are answered here. It’s so easy to read & follow & again I love the layout throughout the book.
Teleri: The author is well known in this field and so I would choose this book based on this fact alone. The size and shape of the book is also appealing, it is nice to hold and easy to flip through the pages. However, if I was to choose from a range of books I would probably go for one with more focus on baby lead weaning and vegetarian food. This is just a personal preference.
Jessica: I would definitely choose this book over all the others currently on the market. I feel it offers everything you could possibly want to know about every stage of feeding. It covers every angle so there's no need to buy multiple books. Attention to detail is above all others and the quality is outstanding. You get so much for your money.
What changes would you make to this product?
Charlotte: If I could make a change it would be to include some more detail in the method of the recipes, Some of them were a little vague and I was therefore left having to figure it out for myself. When you are weaning, you can sometimes feel overwhelmed with the whole thing, so really clear instructions for all of the recipes would be great.
Holly: If I’m honest I can’t really think of anything I would like changed about this product. There’s nothing throughout the book that I feel is missing. I did initially think for a smaller / shorter book at first glance maybe it wouldn’t have as much content inside but actually it’s jam-packed full & I don’t feel that anything’s missing.
Kelly: I would suggest adding some additional photos of the meals. I like to see a picture of the recipes which I am preparing and making. Some slow cooker recipes would also be good (or at least some advice about how the recipes can be adapted) It would also be good if there was some advice about freezing the recipes. I.e. if they can be frozen and how long for.