If your baby is beginning the next phase in their eating development and moving onto solids, it can be an overwhelming experience. For the most part, babies will eat many things you give them, as they have never experienced it before, so have no preconceived ideas of what it will taste like. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, and as they grow up, fussy eating can take over. 

To avoid any stress at mealtime, here are some tips to make the process easier. 

Limit choice

In the beginning, babies and toddlers don’t really understand the concept of choice. However, they quickly learn the foods that taste different and may start to refuse to eat it. While it might sound extreme, try not to always give an alternative, as when they know this will happen, they’ll just refuse to eat anything other than what they like. Being strong and limiting choice will help in the long run. 

Avoid distractions 

Distractions come in many forms, including the TV, digital devices, and even the dog. Try to limit these as much as possible, as you may have a battle on your hands, getting kids to eat everything. A mess is another aspect that could cause issues. So having a good solution is ideal for sorting it quickly. Try using a coverall weaning bib like this example from Bibado. It can be cleaned quickly and easily and catches all the spillages. 

Try and stick to natural foods

It’s surprising how many foods have sugar and sweeteners in them, including baby food. Of course, sugar tastes great, but it’s also unhealthy in large amounts. To limit the intake of sugar, try and stick to natural foods. While fruits contain sugar, it’s a natural alternative to processed treats. 

Another great way to introduce sweet flavours is by sticking to the original flavour of it. So instead of giving a strawberry flavoured treat, opt for a strawberry. Strawberry flavoured foods hardly taste at all like the real thing, so it detracts from the natural zest of the fruit. 

Don’t be afraid to use intense flavours

When you look at baby foods and early solids for weaning tots, they often look bland. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. Strong flavours and different textures are a great way to introduce them to exciting tastes and smells. They might not take a liking to it, but it a great way to determine what love. Trying new foods is also a way to mix mealtimes up a little, as boring and bland options will become repetitive, and they may refuse to eat them. 

Eat together

One of the best ways to make mealtimes easier is to eat together. Babies and toddlers mimic behaviours, so if they see you eating at the same time, they’ll want to join in the fun. It may not always be possible but trying to sit down with a quick snack can also encourage good eating habits.