As a first-time mom, I was completely overwhelmed by the flood of information on how to start feeding my baby. Should I go the baby-led weaning route? Or stick to traditional purees, starting with single-ingredient foods in neat little stages? Everywhere I turned, there was a different philosophy — and plenty of opinions to match.
What I did know for sure: my baby needed to start learning how to eat.
At our 5-month checkup, my pediatrician handed me a sheet of paper with a list of foods by age. It was helpful, but I still had so many questions — mostly around how to make it all happen in real life.
Determined to make it work, I gave homemade purees a try the old-fashioned way — and let’s just say, it was a much bigger undertaking that I thought.
I had the best of intentions: roast some beets, steam a few carrots, toss in a pear to help with babies digestion. What I didn’t account for was how unbelievably time-consuming and messy the whole process would be. Between peeling, chopping, roasting, steaming, and then transferring everything to my blender, the whole ordeal took over two hours.
By the end, my kitchen was a disaster. I had four different pots and pans to wash, a fuchsia-stained cutting board, and a blender that couldn’t deliver the smooth consistency I was hoping for. The texture was off, the cleanup was brutal, and I was left wondering how any parent was supposed to do this on a regular basis.
After that exhausting afternoon, I decided homemade baby food just wasn’t for me. I turned to pouches — brands like Serenity Kids and Once Upon a Farm — and while they were convenient, the cost started stacking up fast. Five bucks here, six bucks there… it added up to over $150 a month, just in snacks and meals I didn’t really feel in control of. (Plus, I’d heard horror stories of Mom’s buying pouches in bulk only for their baby to refuse the “healthy” pouches like salmon, buffalo, etc because the taste wasn’t it).
That’s when I circled back to the idea of a baby food maker. I’d heard about BEABA before but hadn’t seriously considered it until I realized it could streamline the whole process — steam, blend, and reheat all in one bowl? No pile of pots in the sink? I was sold.
And this time around? Total game-changer. What once took two hours and left my kitchen in shambles now takes 20 minutes, start to finish. I get the exact texture I want, less mess, and I actually feel good about what I’m feeding my baby.
How I Use the BEABA Babycook Neo
The process is so simple, so here’s exactly how I prep baby food using the BEABA Babycook Neo:
Step 1: Chop Ingredients
I usually prep a mix of veggies sweet potatoes, butternut squash, kale, whatever I have for our meal plan that week—about 1–1.5 cups total. I usually chop into 1×1 cubes for even steaming.
Step 2: Fill the Water Reservoir
Pour water into the reservoir using the included measuring guide (fill to Line 1, 2, or 3 depending on how long you want to steam). I typically use Level 1 for softer veggies.
Step 3: Load Ingredients
Add chopped ingredients to the stainless steel steam basket. I usually add some sort of meat as well. (Chicken, ground beef). Place the basket inside the bowl, attach the lid, and lock it into place.
Step 4: Press Steam Button
Push the steam button and walk away. The Neo beeps to let you know it’s finished, then shuts off automatically when it’s done—huge win.
Step 5: Blend
After steaming, I remove the basket, dump the cooked ingredients into the glass bowl, I dump the steamed water and use bone broth instead (for added protein), and blend until the texture I want.
Step 6: Serve or Store
I portion into silicone trays or mini jars and freeze anything I don’t use immediately.
Cleanup Tip: The glass bowl, steam basket, and blade are all dishwasher safe. I wipe the base and water tank dry after every use to prevent mineral buildup. (Which can be cleaned with vinegar)
What I love about the BAEBA:
I’ve been using the the Babycook Neo several times a week for the past few months, and here’s what I’ve noticed:
✔️ It’s Fast
Most purees take around 15–20 minutes total. This was a huge selling point for me, as a busy parent.
✔️ It’s Versatile
I’ve made everything from:
- Apple-pear purée with cinnamon
- Lentils with carrots and bone broth
- Salmon with peas and zucchini
- Chicken with white beans, garlic and kale (my baby’s personal favorite).
- Ground beef with butternut squash and beets.
- Steamed sweet potatoes / broccoli for baby led weaning
The blend function is powerful and handles most ingredients well, though I’ve noticed it leaves a slightly textured consistency when pureeing meats — more on that below.
✔️ It’s Compact and Quiet
The Babycook Neo doesn’t take over my counter when in use and it fits into one of our cabinets next to our other appliances. It’s about the size of a coffee maker and runs VERY quietly. I can prep food during naptime without worrying about waking the baby (another underrated bonus).
✔️ It’s Incredibly Easy To Use
When you buy a new product, often times there’s a learning curve. With the BAEBA, it was so simple I confess, I didn’t even need to read the instructions. It was intuitive and my first ever puree was just as perfect as my most recent puree.
What I didn’t love about the BAEBA:
✔️ The lid feels a bit flimsy
I get the sense the lightweight lid design is intentional—likely to make it easier to operate one-handed, which is super helpful when holding a baby. That said, I do think there’s room for improvement. The lid could feel a bit more sturdy or reinforced without sacrificing the one-handed functionality.
💯 My Ratings (With Honest Pros + Cons)
🧾 1. Price Point — 8/10
Yes, it’s an investment. But if you’re planning to make even 2–3 meals a week at home, this machine is worth every penny. The long-term savings and health benefits more than justify the cost. Plus, it’s built to last — and can be used for multiple kids or repurposed for toddler smoothies, soups, and side dishes.
Tip: Add it to your registry or split the cost with a grandparent gift!
⚙️ 2. Functionality — 8.5/10
The Babycook Neo does exactly what it promises: it steams, blends, reheats, and defrosts without extra tools or cleanup. It’s intuitive, and I love the one-handed operation (important when you’re holding a baby in the other arm).
Downside: As mentioned, meat doesn’t always blend to a silky-smooth purée. If your baby is still on Stage 1 textures, you may want to finish meat mixtures in a high-speed blender. For most fruits, veggies, and grains, the texture is perfect.
🖼️ 3. Aesthetic — 8**/10**
This is one of the first baby appliances I haven’t immediately shoved into a drawer. The design is clean, modern, and doesn’t detract from my kitchen. Compared to plastic-heavy, clunky machines out there, the Neo feels more sleek. There are only 2 buttons, which really adds to the simplistic design. Many other baby food makers have quite a few buttons, which makes the devices feel a bit more cluttered.
If design matters to you (or you’re already overwhelmed by the visual clutter of baby gear), this one’s the best I’ve found.
🧼 4. Clean Factor — 8**/10**
This was a huge selling point for me. The glass bowl and stainless steel steam basket are non-toxic, odor-resistant, and easy to clean. I never worry about BPA, phthalates, or weird smells, and I don’t have to scrub stubborn orange residue off plastic parts.
The blade component takes a little finessing to clean thoroughly (especially after something starchy), but overall, it’s considerably easier to clean than my regular blender.
🛑 Things to Know Before You Buy
- The bowl is smaller than a blender pitcher, so you’ll need to prep in batches if you’re cooking for multiple kids or want to do major meal prep. But for day-to-day use? It’s perfect.
- Water reservoir needs to be emptied and wiped down regularly to prevent buildup.
💸 Cost Comparison: Is the BEABA Babycook Neo Worth the Price?
Let’s talk about the price tag. At $250, the Babycook Neo isn’t the cheapest option. But is it worth it?
Here’s how I think about it:
| Item | Cost | Frequency | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Pouches | ~$2.50 to $4.50 each | 2-3 per day | ~$225 – $405 |
| Homemade Food (Babycook Neo) | ~$12/week in ingredients | 1 prep day/week | ~$50 (plus initial cost) |
That means I’m saving over $175/month, not even counting the environmental impact of all that pouch packaging.
After just two months of use, the Babycook Neo has already paid for itself. Plus, I get to control every ingredient going into my baby’s body — from organic veggies to bone broth to pasture-raised meats.
🔻 Common Complaints from 1-Star Reviews
1. Leaking Issues
Several users reported water leaking from the bottom or handle area during use.
My Take: Ensuring all parts are correctly assembled is crucial. While I haven’t experienced any leaks, I did notice minor condensation when the lid wasn’t securely in place.
2. Rust and Corrosion
Some customers experienced rusting on the stainless steel steaming basket and blade, even with careful handwashing. This raised concerns about the durability of these components.
My Take: I always do a scrub of the basket with a gritty sponge, and dry the parts thoroughly after washing and haven’t encountered rust.
3. Fragile Glass Bowl
The glass bowl was reported to crack or break easily, sometimes even during normal use. This poses safety concerns and questions about the product’s durability.
My Take: I appreciate the glass design for its non-toxic properties, and personally feel that the thickness of the glass would be hard to break, unless smashing it into the sink or dropping it onto a very hard service. (I’ve actually dropped mine a few times and it’s never cracked or broken).
4. Difficult Cleaning Process
Users mentioned that food particles could get trapped in hard-to-reach areas, like the handle, making cleaning cumbersome and potentially leading to mold growth.
My Take: Regular deep cleaning is necessary. I use a small brush to reach tight spots a few times a month and ensure all parts are cleaned after each use becuase I don’t deep clean after every use. I find running over it with a sponge and spoon or a dishwasher does the job fine.
5. Customer Service Challenges
Some reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s customer service, citing delayed responses and difficulties in obtaining replacement parts.
My Take: I haven’t needed to contact customer service, so I can’t speak from personal experience. However, it’s worth noting these concerns when considering the purchase.
🌟 Common Themes in 5-Star Reviews
1. Ease of Use and Convenience
What reviewers say:
Parents consistently praise how intuitive the Babycook Neo is to operate. The one-button steam + blend process simplifies what could be a multi-step task — especially when you’re sleep-deprived and holding a baby on your hip.
My take:
I totally agree here. The simplicity is part of what makes this appliance worth the price point. I can make a full batch of purees with one hand — truly ideal for multitasking parents. Even my husband, who’s usually kitchen-averse, feels confident using it.
2. High-Quality, Non-Toxic Materials
What reviewers say:
The use of glass and stainless steel (instead of plastic) gets major points — especially among parents prioritizing non-toxic products. It’s a standout in a market filled with plastic parts and BPA marketing jargon.
My take:
This was a huge selling point for me. I didn’t want to invest in something I’d worry about heating plastic in over and over. The glass bowl and stainless steel steam basket feel premium and align with how I cook for the rest of my family.
3. Compact and Aesthetic Design
What reviewers say:
Many call out how sleek and compact the Neo is. Unlike clunky appliances you want to hide, the Babycook actually adds to your countertop, visually. The muted colorways blend well in modern kitchens.
My take:
Aesthetics matter to me, and I genuinely don’t mind keeping this on my counter but i still keep it in storage when not in use. It looks minimal and intentional — not like a preschool appliance exploded next to my coffee machine. I also appreciate the small footprint.
4. Time Efficiency
What reviewers say:
The steam-to-blend function speeds up the cooking process. Many say they can prep a week’s worth of purees in under 30 minutes, thanks to how quick and seamless it is.
My take:
I’ve made entire batches — steam, blend, pour into jars — in less time than it takes to order takeout. It doesn’t just save time, it gives me back energy I’d otherwise waste boiling water, watching pots, and scrubbing pans.
👶 Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the BEABA Babycook Neo?
This baby food maker is ideal for:
- Parents who want to make homemade baby food regularly and have limited time.
- Anyone looking for a safer, more sustainable alternative to plastic-based products
- Moms and dads who care about design and functionality in equal measure
- Families who are tired of spending upwards of $4/pouch and want better control over ingredients
It might not be right if you only plan to make the occasional purée or if you want a machine that handles very large volumes. But for most families, especially during that 6–12 month window of rapid food exploration, the BEABA Babycook Neo is a game-changer.
Other Products I use with Baeba
I use the jars. These are amazing. Thick, durable and freeze easily. Plus, they’re glass and their lid colors are aesthetically pleasing.
I use the beast blender.
June 3, 2025
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