Over the past few years there has been controversy over ready made baby food jars containing things they shouldn't etc but has this put anyone off? I have to admit I was working full time when my boys were tiny so it was a form of massive convenience for me. I made the effort of choosing organic. Nonetheless it has left me feeling a little guilty that I should have made my own!

I've bought the odd ready meal for when we're out and about (although not jars, I have to say) but I've done the majority of cooking from scratch for DD (who is now 2).  I work full time too (although back on mat leave now), but I either cook in bulk or make extra of what we're having, adapted if necessary, so I've always got a good supply of meals in the freezer.

I think the ready meals are ok, but they're expensive compared to cooking your own and seem quite bland compared to home cooked food.

I mix and match. its really hard to know what to do for the best because the advice is so conflicting. my hv told me that the jars are fortified with vitamins nowadays and the companies have to follow strict guidelines. she said in her opinion there was very little differance in nutrition content between jar and homemade. however, I like to make my own food when I can and it is easier now that Phoebe is on finger foods to just give her some of what we are having. if I am honest, Phoebe prefers jar mushy food to my mushy food so I do give her both. everything she eats is organic and nutritionally balanced so I feel I'm doing what's best for her.

As a childcare professional, mum, and Grandmother I wouldn't chose to eat a ready meal myself so wouldn't feel right feeding one to a baby. Cooking fresh gives an introduction to "real family food" I'm with Lizzie and always make sure I have emergency meals in the freezer. If you are worried about vitamins etc then I'm sure your HV will reccomend a suitable vitamin supplement.

Meals are good family social occasions and if baby can eat family food sooner rather than later it's easier and happier for everyone.

I made everything from scratch for my first.  When she was 8 months old we went on holiday and I took a variety of pouches and jars.  She refused to touch any of them and I spent my evenings cooking meals for her and she ate chips for most lunches.  Never again!  My second was given a mixture of everything - jars, homemade, pouches.  Admittingly he had a feeding disorder so he was really allowed absolutely anything he wanted as it was better than tube feeding.  He now eats more foods than my first.  If I did it again I would use a mixture just so that they don't become too fussy.

I did a mixture when DD was smaller, as I struggled to achieve many things in my day. Now she is 9 months and just has what we have. On Friday we are going on holiday and I have a plum organic meal to feed on the way as there aren't many places to stop on the way from here to Wales!

i use mostly homemade for my LO, i make casseroles in the slow cooker over 24 hours, so its all lovely soft and tender - i throw in whatever meat and veg we have, then i only have to put a potato in the microwave and he has a meal. i also use lots of frozen veg for ease - they are no less good for him. We arent very into fish but i know he needs to have it so i have been known to cook some 100% cod fishfingers and cut the batter off! he loves them!

I have relied on jars in the past for puddings like rice pudding - but i always taste everything to test temperature and i have to say they are so bland i now just give him yoghurt mixed with lots of lovely fruit or adult ambrosia creamed rice (it comes in handy microwavable pots) mixed with chopped fruit - much tastier and he loves it. Theres no need at all to get baby cereal - it has more sugar in than weetabix or porridge so LO just has one of the two with more fruit.

i do have some pouches of ella's kitchen fruit for being out and about (they are 100% fruit) but they are 90pence each and dont tasted nearly as nice as fresh fruit to me (although LO loves them i have to say) but when im at home its as easy to reach for the fruit bowl. Personally i never like the idea of giving my LO meat pouches or jars, no offence to anyone else at all but liquidised meat makes me feel a bit funny! Meat cooked in the slow cooker is fine for him or cold meat chopped small.

I did wait till 6 months to wean LO and i know that for people weaning earlier it would be tricky to give some of the above, but i didnt find it too much hassle in the first stages pureeing a bit of fruit and veg and filling up ice cube trays - it was short lived. Im not a great cook by any means but it honestly doesnt feel much hassle at all and LO gets a much greater range of tastes lots of fresh fruit and veg and we save money.x

Ds1 ate all homemade food. I would batch cook and freeze it. He was eating what we ate by 10m. Ds2 had more of a mixture as i had less time. I tried to still cook him meals but used a lot of jars etc for puddings. He was fab with finger food and by 7-8m was eating what we had. Learning to cook family meals suitable for the babies meant hubby and i ate a lot healthier too. Goodness knows what this next baby Will eat! I have so little time these days. Lol Xxx

forgot to say that tea times i just crack an egg or open a can of beans, or do something on a jacket potato. This is as easy as giving him something from a jar. have tried him with salad bits but he isnt too keen as doesnt like BLW much, but im sure in time he will have cold stuff too at tea time x