Know what's in your baby's food!
Why Making Your Own Baby Food Is Healthier, Cheaper & Better — And What the Science Says
The research is in — and it might change the way you think about squeeze pouches.
If you've ever stood in the baby food aisle wondering whether those convenient squeeze pouches are actually as good as they look, you're asking exactly the right question.
A recent Australian study examined baby squeeze pouch products available on the Australian market and the findings are striking. Published in a peer-reviewed journal, the research found that the majority of squeeze pouch products for infants and toddlers were considered inappropriate for use as complementary foods.
Only two products reviewed were deemed nutritionally adequate. Most were found to be micronutrient deficient, energy dense, and high in sugars. The study also found that marketing messages and labelling on squeeze pouches were misleading and did not support World Health Organisation (WHO) or Australian NHMRC recommendations for breastfeeding or the appropriate introduction of complementary foods.
It's a confronting finding for busy parents who have relied on pouches as a convenient, healthy-seeming option. But the good news is that making your own baby food has never been easier or faster thanks to purpose-built baby food makers like the Beaba Babycook
The Case for Homemade Baby Food
You Know Exactly What Goes In
When you prepare homemade baby food, you have complete control over every single ingredient. No preservatives. No additives. No hidden sugars or excess salt. Just real, fresh, wholesome food the same food your family eats, prepared in a way that's safe and appropriate for your baby's age and stage
Store-bought baby food — including squeeze pouches must have a long shelf life, which means it is often processed in ways that affect its nutritional profile, texture, and taste. Homemade baby food is made fresh, served fresh, and frozen fresh preserving both nutrition and flavour in a way that packaged food simply cannot replicate
It Builds Better Eating Habits From the Start
Research consistently shows that early exposure to a wide variety of flavours, textures, and whole foods supports the development of healthy eating habits that last well into childhood and beyond. When you make your own baby food, you're not limited to the flavour profiles and textures of commercially available products you can introduce bitter greens, complex spice combinations, and a full spectrum of whole foods from the very beginning of the weaning journey
Babies who are exposed to a greater variety of flavours and textures early in weaning are more likely to accept a wider range of foods as toddlers which means fewer battles at the dinner table down the track
It's Significantly Cheaper
The cost of feeding a baby on commercial pouches and jarred food adds up quickly. A single squeeze pouch can cost anywhere from $2.50 to $5.00 and a hungry baby can go through multiple pouches a day. By contrast, batch cooking homemade baby food using a baby food maker like the Beaba Babycook costs a fraction of the price per serve, using the same fresh ingredients you're already buying for the rest of the family
Over the course of the weaning journey from around six months through to 18 months to two years the savings from making your own baby food can be substantial
It's Faster Than You Think
One of the most common reasons parents reach for pouches and jars is time. And it's a completely valid concern life with a baby is full-on. But this is exactly where a purpose-built baby food maker changes everything
The beaba Babycook steams and blends a batch of baby food in as little as 15 minutes — from raw ingredient to smooth puree, all in one bowl. Batch cook on a Sunday afternoon and you have a full week of nutritious, homemade meals ready to go in the freezer. It takes less time than a trip to the supermarket
Why the beaba Babycook Is Australia's Favourite Baby Food Maker
The Beaba Babycook is not just a blender. It is a purpose-designed baby food maker that steams, blends, defrosts, and reheats — all in one compact appliance that sits neatly on your kitchen bench
Steam Cooking That Preserves Nutrients
The Beaba Babycook uses a unique steam cooking system that sets it apart from boiling or microwaving. Steaming is the gold standard for preserving the natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats — nutrients that are often lost when food is submerged in boiling water or exposed to the high heat of a microwave
For a baby whose immune system and organs are still developing rapidly, maximising the nutritional value of every meal matters. The Beaba Babycook makes that easy
All-in-One Convenience
Steam, blend, defrost, reheat — the Babycook does it all in the same bowl, which means minimal washing up and maximum efficiency. The compact design fits on any kitchen bench without taking over, and the simple controls mean you don't need to read a manual to get started
Grows With Your Baby
The Babycook isn't just for the early puree stage. As your baby develops through the weaning journey from smooth purees to soft mashes to textured meals the Babycook adapts with you. Use it to steam vegetables for finger foods, blend soups, or prepare textured meals for older babies and toddlers. It's a baby food blender that genuinely earns its bench space long after the puree stage is over
The Babycook Range
Beaba offers several models in the Babycook range to suit different family sizes and needs:
Babycook Solo — The original. Compact, efficient and perfect for families cooking for one baby at a time. 1.1 litre bowl capacity
Babycook Neo — The premium model with a larger 1.25 litre capacity and additional features for parents who want maximum flexibility and power in their baby food maker including no plastic touching baby's food
What to Make With Your Babycook
Getting started with homemade baby food is simpler than it seems. Here are some ideas by stage:
First foods (around 6 months):
Single-ingredient purees are the best starting point — sweet potato, pumpkin, zucchini, pear, apple, carrot, and avocado are all excellent first foods. Steam and blend to a smooth consistency using the Babycook, then freeze in individual portions using freezer trays
Building variety (7–9 months):
Start combining flavours — pea and mint, sweet potato and lentil, apple and cinnamon, chicken and vegetable. Introduce soft proteins and gradually reduce the smoothness of the blend to begin introducing texture
Texture and finger foods (10–12 months):
Use the Babycook to steam vegetables and proteins to the perfect soft texture for finger foods — broccoli florets, carrot sticks, soft chicken pieces. Blend less, leaving more texture to support the development of chewing skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade baby food actually safer than store-bought?
When prepared hygienically using fresh ingredients and stored correctly, homemade baby food is an excellent, safe choice. The key is to follow basic food safety guidelines — cook thoroughly, cool quickly, store in airtight containers, and follow recommended freezer storage times (up to three months for most homemade purees)
Are baby squeeze pouches bad for babies?
The Australian study referenced above found that the majority of squeeze pouches on the Australian market were nutritionally inadequate and high in sugars. Occasional use is unlikely to cause harm, but relying on pouches as a primary complementary food source is not supported by current nutritional guidelines. Homemade baby food prepared with a baby food maker is a nutritionally superior alternative
How long does it take to make baby food in the Babycook?
Most single-ingredient purees take between 10 and 15 minutes from start to finish — including steaming and blending time. Batch cooking a week's worth of meals takes around 30 to 45 minutes, after which portions can be frozen for up to three months
Can I use the Beaba Babycook for toddler meals?
Absolutely. The Babycook is useful well beyond the puree stage — for steaming vegetables, blending soups, and preparing soft textured meals for toddlers. Many families continue using their Babycook as a general kitchen appliance long after their baby has moved on to family meals
Is the Babycook worth the investment?
When you consider the savings from not buying commercial pouches and jars which can add up to hundreds of dollars over the weaning journey the Babycook pays for itself relatively quickly. It is also a product built to last, with a two-year manufacturer's warranty and replacement parts available
Which beaba Babycook model is right for me?
The Babycook Solo is ideal for most families. If you have twins, plan to batch cook in large quantities, or want maximum capacity, the Babycook Neo may be worth the upgrade. See our full Babycook comparison guide for a detailed breakdown
Making your own baby food is one of the simplest, most impactful things you can do for your baby's nutrition, development, and long-term relationship with food. And with the Babycook on your bench, it has never been more achievable even on the busiest of days
Shop the full beaba Babycook range and baby food storage at babycentral.com.au
Related Articles
Why Steaming is the Best Method for Cooking Baby Food
Preventing childhood obesity starts with your baby’s first bites
0 comments