Baby Eating Must Haves

Rory is two weeks away from turning six months (seriously, when did this happen?!), and I know all the books say to wait until six months to start babies on solids, but she is already sitting up unassisted and just this past week she began reaching for our food, so I took this as a sign. We haven't gone all out. She's not eating pureed of anything yet (and probably never will), but we're testing the waters with some pretty simple foods, including banana, avocado, and applesauce. Even though we've just started this journey towards "real food", I've already discovered what I can't live without. Here are a few of the basics that have recently become invaluable to us:
















1. Baby-led Weaning
A friend lent me this book when I was still pregnant and until a few weeks ago I had completely forgotten about it. When I realized we were getting close to introducing solids, I dug it out of my box of pregnancy books, brushed off the dust, and proceeded to read the entire book in one sitting. It's not a particularly riveting book, it's just an easy read that makes sense. I had been dreading the process of making my own baby food and spooning unidentifiable mush into Rory's mouth three times a day. So, when I read that the baby-led weaning philosophy is based on the concept of "baby eats what we eat", I knew it was for me. Rather than feeding Rory mashed food, I offer her real food in manageable/safe pieces. This book is based on several basic beliefs:
-Baby eats independently when possible
-Baby eats foods as close to their natural form as possible
-Baby eats what parents eat when possible
Supposedly, when children grow up eating whole foods alongside their parents, they are less likely to be picky eaters and more likely to be willing to try new foods. If all we offer babies are bland, unseasoned, and mushy versions of the foods we eat, how can we expect them to be eager to try new foods with stronger flavors? I also like the idea of allowing Rory to feed herself whenever possible. Yes, it will get messy and she probably won't get much food in her mouth in the beginning, but what a great way to teach independence, coordination, and self-autonomy. Obviously, Rory's safety is most important, which means I will take special precautions to make sure the foods we offer are soft enough and small enough to avoid choking, and I will probably end up making a few vegetable/fruit purees in the beginning, but so far I'm totally on board with the ideas presented in this book.






2. Munchkin Mesh Feeders

These things are amazing! I picked ours up at a consignment sale for a few bucks. They are a great way to introduce whole foods without worrying about choking/overeating. In the mornings, while I'm making my own breakfast, I usually stick a small piece of fruit in one and Rory goes to town on it. The mesh holes are super small, so no big pieces can get through, but she still gets plenty of the juices.





3. Boon Bendable Spoon and Fork
I plan on allowing Rory to "feed herself" as soon as possible, and these bendable utensils make it easier for her to find her mouth because let's face it, babies don't have the best hand-eye coordination. I also like that they bend both ways so babies don't have to be limited to using only one hand.




4. Boon Double-Ended Spoons

We've already used these spoons to feed Rory applesauce and mashed banana. I love that they are double ended and angled. The rubber side is perfect for wiping Rory's face when she inevitably spits out half of whatever makes it in her mouth.




5. Baby Bowls

Again, we plan to use these in a few months when Rory is able to take more control of the feeding process. I have three different sizes, but they all have suctioned bottoms that attach to her high chair tray and prevent her from picking them up and throwing them across the room. (Sorry, Marli.)




6. Skip Hop Tuck Away Bib

My friend gave me one of these before Rory was born, and I was excited to finally get to use it. (It's the little things.) The material is super easy to wipe down and it's great for traveling because you can simply tuck it back into a little pouch and throw it in your diaper bag. the front pocket also catches random pieces of food that may otherwise fall on the floor. (Again, sorry Marli.)






7. High Chair(s)

I know this is kind of an obvious one, but I really just wanted to brag about the deals I got on our two high chairs. The larger high chair is the one that we use on a daily basis. I scored it on Craigslist for $40! After a thorough wipe down, it looks brand new. We haven't used our travel chair yet, but I bought it at a local consignment sale for $19. I found out later that it retails for $70. I plan on using the travel chair when we go to friends' houses for dinner or out to eat, but I know a lot of people that skip the traditional chair altogether and use the travel chair at home to save space.





8. Happy Baby Organic Food Pouches

So, I know I just sung the praises of Baby Led Weaning, but we have bought a few of these organic food pouches for Rory. I agree that whole foods are best whenever possible, but I'm also a realist. I understand there will be times when we will need to feed Rory on the go, and these are the perfect solution. They have a ton of different flavors (many with fruits AND vegetables) and they're all organic with no preservatives. These pouches are also a great way for babies to try new foods without you having to buy a bunch of expensive fruit and vegetables that may end up just going to waste if your baby isn't a fan. Plus, Rory is still in the beginning stages of eating, so I don't feel comfortable giving her pieces of anything yet. I usually mix a few teaspoons of these purees with mashed banana or avocado.

Yum!

Bananas are my favorite.