We’re all at home at the moment, so how do you get ready for weaning by shopping online for weaning essentials? 

With thanks to Kiddies Kingdom

Getting ready for weaning can be an exciting but daunting time for parents. Transitioning from formula or breast milk to more solid foods will involve a lot more preparation and persistence, so it’s important parents are clued up on what to expect, as well as being prepared with the best products and recipes.  With physical shopping currently restricted, even more parents are now turning to online retailers for baby essentials than ever before, but with so many products out there, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed with choice as you get ready for weaning.  Leading baby and child retailer, Kiddies Kingdom, outlines effective ways to shop online when looking to introduce solid food into your baby’s diet. 

Prioritise

It’s easy to get carried away when shopping for a newborn baby, purchasing everything and anything that’s suggested. Babies grow and develop at an exceptionally fast rate, so it’s important to take a tailored approach to every new milestone, assessing what is essential and what is not. Just like in physical stores, you are likely to be enticed by various additional purchases before reaching the checkout, and whilst it’s good to be open to deals, you may end up buying unnecessary items. When starting off weaning your child, it is advised to have a safe and secure highchair, weaning bowls, a baby-friendly feeding spoon and a selection of bibs. You may also want to invest in a food blender or processor (if you’re making formula from scratch), freezer portion trays, tupperware boxes, freezer bags and a splash mat. 

Stick to a maximum of five retailers

When browsing online, it’s astounding how many different brands and products there are to choose from, making what should be an enjoyable shopping experience quite stressful and overwhelming.   From independent retailers to national specialists and department stores, it’s easy to find yourself encompassed in 10+ different internet search tabs looking at the same product on various different sites. Whilst it’s important to price match when shopping online, restrict this to around five retailers to avoid confusion and ensure your products are aligned. Not only will this save you money, it will also save you time browsing.

Do your research

Just like when you’re shopping for any other items, there are various brands for baby products all ranging in price and quality. When purchasing more substantial items like highchairs or food blenders, take time to look at reviews online and compare to those of similar brands. Consult with other mums to find out what weaning essentials they purchased and whether they really needed them, this will help you have a more organised approach when shopping.

Start early

Every baby has different timings for milestones but as a rough benchmark, most are ready for weaning onto solid foods at around 6 months old. Signs your child is ready for weaning may include crying for more regular feeds or reaching for solid food from a family members plate. Check out the NHS website for more advice. Although many parents make this change gradually, it’s important to be prepared with products ahead of the weaning process where possible. To help you with this, prepare a wish list in advance so you can start ticking items off as and when you are doing online shopping. Not only will this stop you over-buying, it will ensure you are not hit with a hefty bill as you would if you purchased everything at once.

Dig for discounts 

Babies are costly, with the average parent spending £450 on bottle feeding, so it’s important to be savvy when shopping for essentials. If you find a specific brand that you love, don’t feel restricted to purchasing only from the official site. Many online retailers and department stores stock well-known brand and may offer their own deals and promotions.  With all retailers now competing on the same platform, many are likely to implement deals and promo offers to entice customers to shop with them. Whilst it’s great to find a bargain, remember that if it seems too good to be true, it often is. Kiddies Kingdom is a leading baby and child retailer. Visit their website www.kiddies-kingdom.com, follow them on Instagram @KiddiesKingdom, on Twitter @KiddiesKingdom and on Facebook @KiddiesKingdomUK.   Disclaimer: The views and advice given in this article are those of the guest writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Weaning Week or any other organisations represented on this platform