8 Must-Haves for Baby-Led Weaning
Aug 20, 2020Are you on the countdown to your baby beginning their food journey? Wondering what equipment will be useful for this amazing next stage? If your baby is around six months old (it will be slightly different for every baby) and you are not sure what you are going to need to get started for weaning, keep reading!
With baby-led weaning nothing is essential however, I have found there are a few key items that have made mealtimes so much easier and most importantly quick and easy to clean up after! Here’s a list of my top 8 must-haves to get you started.
1. Highchair
A highchair is one thing I would class as essential to ensure your baby can eat safely. When choosing a highchair there are a few important things to consider before you buy:
- Can your baby sit upright so they can swallow correctly?
- Are there straps to fasten them in so they are safe?
- Is it easy to clean? Take a look at how many nooks and crannies there are as cleaning can become tiresome if there are too many places for food to get stuck!
- Does the highchair fold away to save space in between meals? (Depending on your own space at home)
- Do you want the chair to grow with your little one? Some highchairs turn into toddler chairs and mini tables.
The choices are endless and prices vary from very reasonable to very expensive depending on what’s important to you, but there is definitely something out there for every budget, with the safety for swallowing and straps the most important thing to consider.
Highchairs can range in price and have many different features, take time to choose one that suits you making sure baby can eat safely in it
2. Cups
Offer water at mealtimes in an open cup or one that is free flowing. Try to avoid using a bottle with a teat or cup with a valve as these can effect the development of your baby's teeth and/or facial muscles if used over the long term. My baby loved the little mini open cups that fit in her hands, allow her to drink independently and practice her hand to mouth co-ordination. I have also used straw cups that have a screw on lid which can help with reducing spills.
My little one loved the mini open cup, they can be messy at first but they soon get the hang of using them
3. Spoons
Your baby may not use a spoon at first, preferring to use only their hands which is completely natural. However, it is useful for them to become familiar with items that will be used later in their food journey. A spoon may seem a small item to consider, but to be gentle on those baby gums, it is important to opt for a soft food grade silicone tipped spoon. There are lots of options out there but I prefer the bamboo stemmed spoons which have a little less plastic and so are a little kinder to the environment.
A soft, food grade silicon spoon is recommended so it is soft on baby's gums
4. Bowls and plates
If you are conscious about buying sustainable plates and bowls then you can opt for bamboo. However any bowl or plate with a suction base will prevent your hard work ending up on the floor, babies have very fast hands! You may find it useful to invest in a couple of plates or bowls to suit the type of meal you’re serving. Soup or porridge may be better suited to a slightly higher sided plate/bowl. If you choose to go down the bamboo route there so many great shapes available ranging from rabbits to dinosaurs and everything in between which not only makes it interesting for your baby, but parents too!
Bowls and plates with a suction base are helpful to keep the meal in place while baby is learning to pick things up
5. Freezer storage
- Ice cube trays are useful to have for freezing small portions of batch cooked sauces such as vegetable packed tomato-based sauces or soups.
- Mini lollipop moulds are great to freeze breastmilk in to soothe sore gums during teething. They are also helpful during summer to help cool your little ones down with a frozen fruit and plant-based yoghurt treat.
Ice-lolly moulds with easy-grip handles for little hands are good to use during teething or when the weather is hot
6. Bibs and muslin cloths
Bibs are a must have item which will help salvage many outfits and make your laundry a little easier. Pelican bibs have catching areas at the base to pick up dropped food & water. I tend to use a bib with a muslin cloth folded over my little ones legs to catch the dropped food and protect them from spills that escape the bib! It is also possible to buy bibs that look like little shirts with arms attached to save their sleeves getting full of their dinner if they are having something really messy!
Messy mat, pelican bib, muslin clothes and washable facecloths are all must-haves for catching food and helping with a quick clean up after eating
7. Messy mat
If you’re preparing yourself for baby-led weaning then you may find a mat useful to catch dropped food saving your floors! It also helps keep food clean so you can give it back to baby (trust me, a lot of it will end up on the floor). Most importantly it makes the clean-up operation much quicker at the end of a meal because you can pick the whole thing up and shake into the bin before cleaning it ready for next time.
8. Cotton facecloths
Rather than using thousands of baby wipes which often contain added harsh ingredients, are not so friendly on the environment and can be expensive, it is more cost effective to invest in around 8-10 facecloths (flannels). These can be used after each meal or snack simply by wetting them under a tap with warm water and wiping your baby’s face until clean. You can then throw them in the wash ready for another day.
There are endless options available and it’s about finding what suits you and your baby, plus your own budget. The most important thing is that your baby is happy and safe in their highchair and has access to fresh water. Mealtimes are also an opportunity for positive engagement between you and your baby. If you can, eat along with your baby so they can join in mealtimes and watch and learn from you and the family.
