When it’s time for baby’s first real bites Do you just throw it in the tray and call it a day? Absolutely not! There are five reasons that babies benefit when you use a baby plate or bowl.
1.) Everything is About what Portions People
As a dietitian , nutritionist and specialist who has taught hundreds of families and health professionals on how to handle baby-led weaning, I can tell you that the number one error I have seen parents and caregivers make while baby is starting solids has to do with the size of their portions.
I see instagram pictures of babies facing piles of protein. Also, servings of starches even toddlers wouldn’t be able to eat! Then parents are feeling defeated or frustrated when the baby doesn’t be able to eat “all the food” it was provided.
So let’s talk about portions: baby portion sizes are much smaller than you imagine!
A baby’s divided plate or mat can be a fantastic guide for keeping portions in check. Remember that your baby still gets the majority of nutrition they require from breastmilk or infant formula up until age 1. Solid foods can provide some nutrition, but they’re also an opportunity for baby to explore new flavors and textures , and to have fun and explore this new thing called food.
The baby-friendly baby plate I use at home as well as during my workday is one with two 2-oz and one 4-oz portion compartments that are made in the shape of the shape of a smile.
You could make sure to fill each plate 1/4 or 1/2 full for babies who are starting to get started with solid food, but I love the visual reminding me that less is more here. Keeping portions small is more appropriate for toddlers and their tiny stomachs.
2.) The variety is Spice of Life
Another advantage of having a divided silicon baby plate or mat is that it functions to serve as an illustrative reminder of when babies should be eating different types of food.
We know that infants who are exposed to a greater amount of food, tastes and flavors during the 6-18 months of life have the best chance of becoming a raving eater and lower risk of picky eating later in life.
So what’s the best way to bump up these exposures?
Try to teach your child three different meals at least two meals throughout the day. There’s no reason that they ALL have to be different foods . Repurposing food and incorporating leftovers excellent ideas.
A divided plate that has 3 distinct segments can to remind your baby that he is required to experience a wide range of different kinds of food and helps become accustomed to taking this approach at each meal.
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3.) Bowls and plates minimize mess
You might think adding the baby bowl or plate for your baby is just making more dishes. Sure, it’s one (or two) more dishes for you to clean up. But I’d say having a baby’s table and bowl onto the dining table reduces the messy!
Feeding a baby – especially when it’s baby-led weaning, can be somewhat messy process. But in my practice I’ve observed that infants who are sitting in front of plates or bowls have a better time avoiding mess.
Babies faced just with food items on a plate will swipe it from side to side , and much of it will end to the floor. By separating the sections of a divided plate , mat or bowl and bowl, babies can take food much more easily, meaning less of it is thrown onto the floor.
4.) Motor Skill Development
Bowls, baby food and dishes may assist in developing motor skills that are associated with eating.
With the soft boundary of an silicon bowl or plate edge baby has the ability to begin raking food before actually putting some into her mouth!
5.) Making food Fun
Feeding your child is supposed to be fun And the Happy Mat with its smiley face design is perfect for that. The 4-ounce portion of the mini mat is designed to resemble a smile. It is situated just below the two 2-oz “eye” parts.