When the time comes to wean your baby on to solid food it can be a really exciting stage in your parenting journey.
Introducing your little one to different tastes and textures can actually be a lot of fun. Weaning does come with a certain level of stress though. Until now milk has been enough to sustain your baby and now there are so many other things to think about. Food prep, allergies and choking are among just some of the things that you now have to consider.
With a little thought and consideration, baby weaning can be a very positive experience. When the focus is on sharing the joy of food with your little one it suddenly becomes a really enjoyable phase. For this reason, it is nice to have a few tips and tricks in the bag to help you worry less and enjoy more throughout your baby's weaning journey.
Here are some simple and effective hacks that make life easier when you are weaning your baby on to solid food.
- Batch cooking is a great way to stock up on snacks, treats and meals that you can simply grab and go each day. An hour on a Sunday could fill your freezer for weeks.
- Muffins! They are the ultimate finger food for every single meal. You can make sweet muffins, savoury muffins and egg muffins that can work for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can bulk them up with porridge, vegetables, meat, fruit and all kinds of interesting herbs, spices and cheese. Muffins are a total lifesaver for when you're out and about.
- Pick up an insulated food flask. It will keep food hot for up to six hours. This works really well for dinner leftovers and soup, for example.
- Forget "baby food" and let's talk family food. Your baby can eat everything that you eat if you slightly alter your recipes. Removing salt and strong spices from the dish during the cooking process can instantly make the dish appropriate for your baby. In most cases, the texture can be adjusted before you serve the day.
- Do you have a soup maker? These work really well for making meals for your baby. In less than twenty minutes you can have the perfect meal which includes all of the food groups. Add in rice or pasta to bulk it up and add more filling power.
- Invest in a good suction plate. It's a great way to introduce your baby to the idea of a plate without the fear of them throwing it and wasting all of the food on it (and let's not forget the mess). We love this one!
- Pick up an inexpensive shower curtain from IKEA and place it on the floor and under your high chair during meal times. You can simply scoop up the shower curtain and empty the food into the bin.
- Consider introducing a "mealtime toy". A little singing toy or something that lights up could keep your little one in their high chair and munching for a little longer. You might even get to finish your own meal!
