6 tips for encouraging independent eating when introducing solids
| Introducing solids to your little one is such an exciting time. There are lots of advice available and many different ways to approach this with your baby. The best way to introduce solids is to try what works best for your baby and you. When it comes to encouraging independence there are a few tips and tricks that can help make the process a little smoother and less messy. |
| 1. Loaded spoons |
| If your little one is eating something that requires a spoon load the spoon with the food before you give it to them. It’s a great idea to have three on rotation, one for each hand and one that you can load and swap. |
| 2. Make slippery foods less slippery |
| Coat slippery foods such as avocado slices with things like bread crumbs. This makes them less slippery so they are able to get a good grasp and eat it. |
| 3. Modify runny foods |
| Serve really runny foods such as weetbix as weetbix balls. There are many recipes to try these and they make the mess a lot less. |
| 4. Be a model |
| Model eating to your baby. Sit with them and enjoy the meal with them. Show them how you hold it, use your fork or spoon and eat the food. This also promotes lots of great language development as you talk about the food with your little one encouraging a healthy attitude towards food and positive experience. |
| 5. Use the highchair tray |
| Add food directly to the tray. Avoiding plates for some meals allows your little one to focus on grasping the foods rather than getting distracted by the plate or bowl. |
| 6. Don't stress over the mess |
| Don't stress over the mess they make. It can be hard to take a step back and let them explore and learn but this is a really important step in their journey to eating independently. The best way to help control the need to clean around your little one is to use a Mess Me Not Smock. Your little one can make as much mess as they need to as they learn and explore and all you will have to do is throw the smock in the machine leaving behind a clean high chair and clean bub! |
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