By Caroline Parkinson BBC News Baby food used to be about mashed banana and jars of shepherd's pie, but the influence of TV chefs is dragging gastronomy into the nursery.
By Caroline Parkinson BBC News Baby food used to be about mashed banana and jars of shepherd's pie, but the influence of TV chefs is dragging gastronomy into the nursery.
The confetti couscous salad - diced red pepper, toasted pine nuts, honey dressing, you get the picture - had been lovingly prepared. But, not for the first time, it was launched back in the face of the person who had painstakingly prepared it.
The confetti couscous salad - diced red pepper, toasted pine nuts, honey dressing, you get the picture - had been lovingly prepared. But, not for the first time, it was launched back in the face of the person who had painstakingly prepared it.
That's because the recipient wasn't a picky partner, or an irascible diner in a restaurant - but a baby. Welcome to the world of the gourmet catering for the under-twos.
That's because the recipient wasn't a picky partner, or an irascible diner in a restaurant - but a baby. Welcome to the world of the gourmet catering for the under-twos.
Will all that effort be appreciated?For most new parents the pressing question when it comes to feeding their newborns is breastfeeding v formula milk. But when their offspring progresses to "solids", a process known as weaning, that torrent of advice suddenly thins to a trickle.
Will all that effort be appreciated?For most new parents the pressing question when it comes to feeding their newborns is breastfeeding v formula milk. But when their offspring progresses to "solids", a process known as weaning, that torrent of advice suddenly thins to a trickle.
And mothers - and it is mainly mothers - are plunged into a maelstrom of new concerns. Should s/he be eating fish or eggs? Is it too soon for pasta? What's the latest wisdom on deterring nut allergies? Is the little one getting enough iron, calcium and protein?
And mothers - and it is mainly mothers - are plunged into a maelstrom of new concerns. Should s/he be eating fish or eggs? Is it too soon for pasta? What's the latest wisdom on deterring nut allergies? Is the little one getting enough iron, calcium and protein?
Every vegetable that is rejected prompts a twinge of anxiety; every sugary treat that is eagerly consumed leaves in its wake a guilt-racked parent.
Every vegetable that is rejected prompts a twinge of anxiety; every sugary treat that is eagerly consumed leaves in its wake a guilt-racked parent.
These days concerns over childhood obesity are always lurking. For many parents buffeted by these competing concerns, cookery writer Annabel Karmel appears as a reassuring presence.
These days concerns over childhood obesity are always lurking. For many parents buffeted by these competing concerns, cookery writer Annabel Karmel appears as a reassuring presence.
I've heard about mothers who get up at 5am to cook food for their baby to eat at the childminder's Judy More, dietician She has cornered the market in books on weaning, selling 140,000 last year. Her tomes sit alongside those by Jamie, Gordon and Nigella on the best-seller lists and on kitchen shelves - and will be at least as well-thumbed.
I've heard about mothers who get up at 5am to cook food for their baby to eat at the childminder's Judy More, dietician She has cornered the market in books on weaning, selling 140,000 last year. Her tomes sit alongside those by Jamie, Gordon and Nigella on the best-seller lists and on kitchen shelves - and will be at least as well-thumbed.
Ms Karmel also sells her own ranges of baby foods and equipment, and is soon to launch an online TV channel and a slot on GMTV.
Ms Karmel also sells her own ranges of baby foods and equipment, and is soon to launch an online TV channel and a slot on GMTV.
Hers is a kitchen in which a sandwich is never just a sandwich, but a pinwheel at the very least. Typical recipes include mini-shepherds pies decorated with vegetable faces, teddy bear-shaped chicken rissoles and traffic light ice lollies. And birthday cakes are fully set-dressed, depicting a pool party or a pirate ship.
Hers is a kitchen in which a sandwich is never just a sandwich, but a pinwheel at the very least. Typical recipes include mini-shepherds pies decorated with vegetable faces, teddy bear-shaped chicken rissoles and traffic light ice lollies. And birthday cakes are fully set-dressed, depicting a pool party or a pirate ship.
Healthy start
Healthy start
Ms Karmel began putting recipes together when her second child Nicholas was born in 1989. Her first child Natasha had died of a rare viral disease aged just three-months, two years earlier, and Annabel wanted to give Nicholas - a fussy eater - the best start she could.
Ms Karmel began putting recipes together when her second child Nicholas was born in 1989. Her first child Natasha had died of a rare viral disease aged just three-months, two years earlier, and Annabel wanted to give Nicholas - a fussy eater - the best start she could.
Word spread, and fellow mums encouraged her to publish a book.
Word spread, and fellow mums encouraged her to publish a book.
Annabel Karmel is now omnipresentIn the passive-aggressive competitiveness of playgroups, telling other parents that little Joshua or Ruby will have peanut butter sandwiches for lunch - rather than, say, homemade puy lentil moussaka - can attract sideways glances.
Annabel Karmel is now omnipresentIn the passive-aggressive competitiveness of playgroups, telling other parents that little Joshua or Ruby will have peanut butter sandwiches for lunch - rather than, say, homemade puy lentil moussaka - can attract sideways glances.
But she doesn't agree her recipes are time-consuming - or that mums will feel pressured to make complex meals with restaurant-standard presentation.
But she doesn't agree her recipes are time-consuming - or that mums will feel pressured to make complex meals with restaurant-standard presentation.
"This is not gourmet food. I don't think any gourmet would sit down and eat it. It's just offering ways of helping mums to introduce foods like fish and chicken into their baby's diet, which many find difficult."
"This is not gourmet food. I don't think any gourmet would sit down and eat it. It's just offering ways of helping mums to introduce foods like fish and chicken into their baby's diet, which many find difficult."
Lucy, a first-time mother from north London, is a Karmel convert. "I was able to follow her menus and feel confident I was doing something tried and tested. More than anything, for me Annabel filled a gaping hole of information.
Lucy, a first-time mother from north London, is a Karmel convert. "I was able to follow her menus and feel confident I was doing something tried and tested. More than anything, for me Annabel filled a gaping hole of information.
"But it does rather feed our middle-class insecurities about healthy eating and the guilt that goes with being a mother."
"But it does rather feed our middle-class insecurities about healthy eating and the guilt that goes with being a mother."
That's something paediatric dietician Judy More has certainly come across. She says working women in particular can get too worried about what their children are eating. "I have heard about mothers who get up at 5am to cook the food for their baby to eat at the childminder's."
That's something paediatric dietician Judy More has certainly come across. She says working women in particular can get too worried about what their children are eating. "I have heard about mothers who get up at 5am to cook the food for their baby to eat at the childminder's."
Middle class guilt
Middle class guilt
The pressure comes from the gap between a parent's expectations, and what can be achieved.
The pressure comes from the gap between a parent's expectations, and what can be achieved.
I'm surprised at how little I've enjoyed making baby food - I'm so busy trying to do everything else Mum-of-one Fiona Dr Ellie Lee, a social policy expert at the University of Kent who focuses on parenting issues, says there are many anxious middle-class mothers.
I'm surprised at how little I've enjoyed making baby food - I'm so busy trying to do everything else Mum-of-one Fiona Dr Ellie Lee, a social policy expert at the University of Kent who focuses on parenting issues, says there are many anxious middle-class mothers.
"Everything they do becomes a professional activity. They read all the books, and turn everything into an enormous task."
"Everything they do becomes a professional activity. They read all the books, and turn everything into an enormous task."
But many struggle to fulfil their self-set goal. "The difficulty is the clash between the abstract and scientifically-defined guidance on what babies should be eating, and trying to get food into your child.
But many struggle to fulfil their self-set goal. "The difficulty is the clash between the abstract and scientifically-defined guidance on what babies should be eating, and trying to get food into your child.
"Mothers often have to go back to work when their babies are between four and six-months-old, which is when they are also trying to get weaning started. Convenience becomes very important. People end up doing the best they can."
"Mothers often have to go back to work when their babies are between four and six-months-old, which is when they are also trying to get weaning started. Convenience becomes very important. People end up doing the best they can."
This can lead to guilt and competition about whether their baby's dinner is better than the next.
This can lead to guilt and competition about whether their baby's dinner is better than the next.
"People get very defensive," says Dr Lee. "And even if they don't come out and say something about what other mothers are doing, there's a subdued one-upmanship."
"People get very defensive," says Dr Lee. "And even if they don't come out and say something about what other mothers are doing, there's a subdued one-upmanship."
Let them eat what you eatBut Fiona from Guildford, whose baby is seven months old, is determined to be realistic about what she can offer her daughter.
Let them eat what you eatBut Fiona from Guildford, whose baby is seven months old, is determined to be realistic about what she can offer her daughter.
"I expected to be an enthusiastic baby-meal maker, as I love cooking. But I've been surprised at how little I've enjoyed making baby food. Part of the trouble is that I'm so busy trying to do everything else - including cook grown-up meals - that peeling, steaming and pureeing seems like just too much graft."
"I expected to be an enthusiastic baby-meal maker, as I love cooking. But I've been surprised at how little I've enjoyed making baby food. Part of the trouble is that I'm so busy trying to do everything else - including cook grown-up meals - that peeling, steaming and pureeing seems like just too much graft."
So what to do if you can't find time to cook for your baby? Nutritionists recommend mashing up whatever you cook for yourself, to get the baby used to family foods.
So what to do if you can't find time to cook for your baby? Nutritionists recommend mashing up whatever you cook for yourself, to get the baby used to family foods.
And many do turn to jars and packets of ready-made food. In this age of pressurised parenting, that's an option which often comes with sheepish looks - and an explanation that dinner definitely will be home-made.
And many do turn to jars and packets of ready-made food. In this age of pressurised parenting, that's an option which often comes with sheepish looks - and an explanation that dinner definitely will be home-made.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Here is a selection of your comments.
I fully endorse the idea of feeding babies whatever adults eat (within reason). Mine ate everything from lasagne to complete Sunday roasts, mashed or blended as required (which was just as well, as they screwed up their faces at the glop that passes for commercial baby food). They are now healthy, robust teenagers with enormous enthusiasm for real meat, fruit and veg and no interest at all in junk food, which my daughter describes as "meals that are completely beige".Zax, Amersham
I fully endorse the idea of feeding babies whatever adults eat (within reason). Mine ate everything from lasagne to complete Sunday roasts, mashed or blended as required (which was just as well, as they screwed up their faces at the glop that passes for commercial baby food). They are now healthy, robust teenagers with enormous enthusiasm for real meat, fruit and veg and no interest at all in junk food, which my daughter describes as "meals that are completely beige".Zax, Amersham
The guilt about not always cooking them fancy meals declines when they get older and now (at one year) the little one just eats whatever we cook for ourselves. Books like Annabel Karmel's did help a lot, showing what food is out there and giving plenty of ideas. I've enjoyed cooking (simple) things for our baby. When she stopped eating whatever I would offer her and started to become picky it got frustrating though.Claudia, London
The guilt about not always cooking them fancy meals declines when they get older and now (at one year) the little one just eats whatever we cook for ourselves. Books like Annabel Karmel's did help a lot, showing what food is out there and giving plenty of ideas. I've enjoyed cooking (simple) things for our baby. When she stopped eating whatever I would offer her and started to become picky it got frustrating though.Claudia, London
Why the outcry over information? With families increasingly living some distance apart, new mums need all the advice they can get. I had no idea how to prepare pureed apple for my son, nor when to introduce meat/lumps/spices. These books not only guided me step-by-step through a tricky time, but also gave me ideas for foods I didn't usually cook.Rhiannon, Cardiff
Why the outcry over information? With families increasingly living some distance apart, new mums need all the advice they can get. I had no idea how to prepare pureed apple for my son, nor when to introduce meat/lumps/spices. These books not only guided me step-by-step through a tricky time, but also gave me ideas for foods I didn't usually cook.Rhiannon, Cardiff
As a mum of a 7 month old I know all too well how you can get sucked in by doing "the right thing". The right thing is going with your instincts, give your baby a similar diet to you, let them make a mess and enjoy being a parent.Charlotte, Yorkshire
As a mum of a 7 month old I know all too well how you can get sucked in by doing "the right thing". The right thing is going with your instincts, give your baby a similar diet to you, let them make a mess and enjoy being a parent.Charlotte, Yorkshire
We have a four month old. My wife has all the books, the vast majority of which in my view contain nothing beyond common sense. Left to me, I would puree whatever we eat, leaving out the hot spices. I think this will eventually happen once weaning is well under way, however in the first few weeks there will be those baby recipe books to deal with, some soul searching, the purchase of several different food blenders and other kitchen equipment, jars of ingredients that will never be used and probably the odd argument. People say he looks like me, so hopefully, like me, he will eat anything and everything. Tiny little fingers crossed.Roger, UK
We have a four month old. My wife has all the books, the vast majority of which in my view contain nothing beyond common sense. Left to me, I would puree whatever we eat, leaving out the hot spices. I think this will eventually happen once weaning is well under way, however in the first few weeks there will be those baby recipe books to deal with, some soul searching, the purchase of several different food blenders and other kitchen equipment, jars of ingredients that will never be used and probably the odd argument. People say he looks like me, so hopefully, like me, he will eat anything and everything. Tiny little fingers crossed.Roger, UK
I have used Annabel Karmel's recipes for both of my children who are 2.5 years old and 9 months. I work three days a week and whilst my children have their afternoon naps on the days I don't work I will cook a meal that can be blitzed for the baby, chopped small for the toddler and I can have myself. The leftovers are frozen in portion-sized pots and used on the days I am at work. I do not buy ready meals for myself or jars so why should my children have to suffer them.Laura Sprake, Winchester
I have used Annabel Karmel's recipes for both of my children who are 2.5 years old and 9 months. I work three days a week and whilst my children have their afternoon naps on the days I don't work I will cook a meal that can be blitzed for the baby, chopped small for the toddler and I can have myself. The leftovers are frozen in portion-sized pots and used on the days I am at work. I do not buy ready meals for myself or jars so why should my children have to suffer them.Laura Sprake, Winchester
I am a mum of an 18-month old girl. I have quite bad post-natal depression and whilst I was on maternity leave spent so much time cooking these meals and trying to give my daughter the "best" start by attending all the groups I could, and doing all the educational activities recommended. I ended up a frazzled wreck in the corner. My partner banned me from buying the magazines and encouraged me to stick to what I knew was best inside. She now eats everything we eat and is a happy, healthy child. Health visitors offered me one session on how to feed my daughter and spent an hour telling me I was doing it all wrong. All I had to do was rest assured that I knew my daughter and could do the best for her - if she ate sausages all week because she refused everything else, I just blend her veg into a tomato sauce. Poor modern mothers - if only we looked at what our parents did and liked ourselves enough to know we turned out OK really.Rachel Gay, Leicester
I am a mum of an 18-month old girl. I have quite bad post-natal depression and whilst I was on maternity leave spent so much time cooking these meals and trying to give my daughter the "best" start by attending all the groups I could, and doing all the educational activities recommended. I ended up a frazzled wreck in the corner. My partner banned me from buying the magazines and encouraged me to stick to what I knew was best inside. She now eats everything we eat and is a happy, healthy child. Health visitors offered me one session on how to feed my daughter and spent an hour telling me I was doing it all wrong. All I had to do was rest assured that I knew my daughter and could do the best for her - if she ate sausages all week because she refused everything else, I just blend her veg into a tomato sauce. Poor modern mothers - if only we looked at what our parents did and liked ourselves enough to know we turned out OK really.Rachel Gay, Leicester
How this has hit home. I have three children - five, three and under one, and rack my brain and conscience every night after a full day at work about what they will be eating the next day. This can mean cooking meals till midnight sometimes. I do allow baby to have jar food probably once or twice a week, but do feel guilty. As much as possible at the weekend we all eat the same meals. But it is hard.Caroline, London
How this has hit home. I have three children - five, three and under one, and rack my brain and conscience every night after a full day at work about what they will be eating the next day. This can mean cooking meals till midnight sometimes. I do allow baby to have jar food probably once or twice a week, but do feel guilty. As much as possible at the weekend we all eat the same meals. But it is hard.Caroline, London
I have a 16 month old baby and did not suffer any anxiety over her eating. I gave my daughter whatever I was eating but with less spice/chilli. She now eats all different flavours of food and gets very interest in what my husband and I eat. Personally, it's all to do with common sense and making sure you include the five fruit or veg in the day.Shehnaz Devji, Hertfordshire
I have a 16 month old baby and did not suffer any anxiety over her eating. I gave my daughter whatever I was eating but with less spice/chilli. She now eats all different flavours of food and gets very interest in what my husband and I eat. Personally, it's all to do with common sense and making sure you include the five fruit or veg in the day.Shehnaz Devji, Hertfordshire
My wife and I make our own food for the baby. We started with a view that we should give him a culturally diverse diet. Now he is 13 months old, we give him foods that make the least mess as he throws his food everywhere.John Allen, London
My wife and I make our own food for the baby. We started with a view that we should give him a culturally diverse diet. Now he is 13 months old, we give him foods that make the least mess as he throws his food everywhere.John Allen, London
I briefly suffered from middle class baby-nutrition angst with my first son, but soon realised i was being duped... Let them boast about their little ones consumption of exotic vegetables and organic grains - what a waste of time and money! Get a yoghurt, a piece of toast and some fruit down them then get off to the park with more time to play.Ginnie, Birmingham
I briefly suffered from middle class baby-nutrition angst with my first son, but soon realised i was being duped... Let them boast about their little ones consumption of exotic vegetables and organic grains - what a waste of time and money! Get a yoghurt, a piece of toast and some fruit down them then get off to the park with more time to play.Ginnie, Birmingham
The baby feeding industry has a vested interest in fuelling parents' anxieties, and there's a lot of money to be made. But the tide has been changing since the new weaning guidelines came out advising parents to wait till six months before giving food. Six month old babies can feed themselves with normal food. Rachel, Chelmsford
The baby feeding industry has a vested interest in fuelling parents' anxieties, and there's a lot of money to be made. But the tide has been changing since the new weaning guidelines came out advising parents to wait till six months before giving food. Six month old babies can feed themselves with normal food. Rachel, Chelmsford
I went down this road last year, preparing a cooked lunch for my two under-threes, then a light tea (they were too tired to eat much in the evening), and then a cooked dinner for the adults. Only to have one, if not both, turn up their noses - or literally throw it back. Now they eat what we eat - it means we all eat healthy home-cooked food, with lots of fruit and veg. Yes it's bland, but that's what chilli sauce is for.Emma Gamble, St Helier
I went down this road last year, preparing a cooked lunch for my two under-threes, then a light tea (they were too tired to eat much in the evening), and then a cooked dinner for the adults. Only to have one, if not both, turn up their noses - or literally throw it back. Now they eat what we eat - it means we all eat healthy home-cooked food, with lots of fruit and veg. Yes it's bland, but that's what chilli sauce is for.Emma Gamble, St Helier
I was given one of Ms Karmel's books but I must confess, I have never made a single thing from it. Life is too short to make kids' dinners into pretty pictures. My kids were weaned on to pureed fruit and veg, lumpy after a while and, very quickly, just what we ate. Perhaps that is why my children will try new foods and eat strong "adult" flavours. Treats and very occasional visits to (dare I say it) to fast food restaurants are allowed and not stressed about.Gemma, Leighton Buzzard
I was given one of Ms Karmel's books but I must confess, I have never made a single thing from it. Life is too short to make kids' dinners into pretty pictures. My kids were weaned on to pureed fruit and veg, lumpy after a while and, very quickly, just what we ate. Perhaps that is why my children will try new foods and eat strong "adult" flavours. Treats and very occasional visits to (dare I say it) to fast food restaurants are allowed and not stressed about.Gemma, Leighton Buzzard
I too am a convert to Annabel Karmel. I'm a new mother with a daughter who is almost seven months and without this book I would have been lost as to what she can and can't have. It's been very helpful and as a result she loves her food and is developing a very keen taste in new foods. And I get to give her home cooked foods and not have to rely on baby jars which can often be tasteless and contain salt and sugars.Lindsey Storey, Darlington
I too am a convert to Annabel Karmel. I'm a new mother with a daughter who is almost seven months and without this book I would have been lost as to what she can and can't have. It's been very helpful and as a result she loves her food and is developing a very keen taste in new foods. And I get to give her home cooked foods and not have to rely on baby jars which can often be tasteless and contain salt and sugars.Lindsey Storey, Darlington
Moderation in all things. I cook food for my baby, but he also has things we eat - like fish pie and shepherd's pie, and when I do cook things for him, I do it in batches I can freeze. I certainly wouldn't get up at 5am to cook it. And the occasional fish finger and baked bean combo doesn't do any harm. You can get too hung up on all of this. Food should be enjoyable.Sara, Billericay, Essex
Moderation in all things. I cook food for my baby, but he also has things we eat - like fish pie and shepherd's pie, and when I do cook things for him, I do it in batches I can freeze. I certainly wouldn't get up at 5am to cook it. And the occasional fish finger and baked bean combo doesn't do any harm. You can get too hung up on all of this. Food should be enjoyable.Sara, Billericay, Essex
There is so much to feel guilty about being a mum these days. In the 60s toddlers used to get bread & dripping as a snack. So-called "processed" baby food often contains less pesticides than fresh fruit at supermarkets because it is so strictly controlled... so what do we do? Treat each day as its comes and to hell with the experts.Mother-of-toddler, Brighton UK
There is so much to feel guilty about being a mum these days. In the 60s toddlers used to get bread & dripping as a snack. So-called "processed" baby food often contains less pesticides than fresh fruit at supermarkets because it is so strictly controlled... so what do we do? Treat each day as its comes and to hell with the experts.Mother-of-toddler, Brighton UK
Why do the over-privileged always want to over-complicate?Paul, London
Why do the over-privileged always want to over-complicate?Paul, London
Honey dressing? Can I point out that honey shouldn't be given to children under the age of one?Sam-the-Man, London, England
Honey dressing? Can I point out that honey shouldn't be given to children under the age of one?Sam-the-Man, London, England
