Fun mealtime: Introducing your little one to the world of food

Introducing the world of food can be exciting for you and your little one. It can be a great way to bond and discover what makes their taste buds tickle!

How do you know when to introduce your little one to this brand-new world of food?

Of course, each child is different but there are developmental signs that can tell you they are ready.

A mini checklist:

• Sits up alone
• Has control of their neck and head
• Develops an interest in what you're eating, reaching out for your food
• Opens mouth when you offer food to them
• Loss of Tongue Thrust Reflex (this causes them to push food out)

Once you can check off this list of requirements for starting solids, you can start having some fun!

Since variety is the spice of life, you can introduce your little one to different fruits, vegetables, and/or meats to get them used to different tastes.

Once they’ve got the hang of solids you can start getting creative by trying to make mealtimes a delightful adventure, here are some fun ideas to try:

1. Play with Colours: Create a colourful plate with different fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Bright colours can catch your little one’s attention and make the meal more appealing.
2. Get Creative with Shapes: Use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables into fun shapes like stars, hearts, or animals. It adds an element of fun to mealtime!
3. Make Food Art: Turn mealtime into a creative activity by arranging food on the plate to create simple food art. You can make faces, animals, or even scenes using different ingredients.
4. Explore Different Textures: Introduce different textures in their meals as early as possible, such as crunchy, smooth, soft, and chewy. This helps develop their palate and makes eating more interesting.
5. Let Them Help: Involve your little one in meal preparation. Even toddlers can help with simple tasks like washing vegetables, stirring ingredients, or arranging toppings on a pizza. It not only makes them feel proud but also encourages them to try new foods.

Remember, the goal is to make mealtime enjoyable and stress-free for you and your little one. Bon appétit!