Easy ways to make family mealtimes fun for your baby
For many, family mealtimes have become a thing of the past, thanks to varying schedules and the busyness of daily life. However, studies have shown that sitting around the table together is important, especially for little ones, as it increases bonding time and the sense of belonging needed for optimal growth and development.
The benefits of sharing meals as a family
Family meals are more nutritious – a Harvard study found that families who eat together are twice as likely to eat more fruits and vegetables than those who eat separately. Also, children who grow up enjoying family meals tend to eat a wider variety of foods and become less picky eaters later.
“There’s no doubt that creating healthy habits around mealtimes will help to set the foundation for a healthy, happier family,” says registered dietitian and ADSA spokesperson, Alma van Niekerk.
Alma has the following suggestions to make family mealtimes fun for your baby:
Involve your child in food preparation
While your little one might be too young to help chop salad ingredients or set the table, children love to watch whatever their parents are doing. Put your child in a highchair close by and talk to them while you’re preparing a meal. Encourage them to touch and taste whatever you’re making and let them play with spoons, pots and pans or the food itself, for example – cooked spaghetti.
Sit together at the table
Most children around the age of 10-12 months are social butterflies and love the buzz around family mealtimes. Make a habit of eating at the table with no distractions. Avoid screen time and enjoy the time together. The more engaged you are, the more fun your child will have.
Be a positive role model
Mealtimes should always be a fun, positive experience for your child, where you enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods together. Remember your child mimics your behaviour, especially around the dinner table, so it’s important to set the right tone from the get-go and ensure that mealtimes are always a positive experience.
Create a fun atmosphere
Making mealtimes fun for children encourages them to eat better. Play some music in the background and fill your child’s plate with colourful fruits, vegetables and sources of protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates.
Try baby led weaning
In their book, Feeding Sense, authors Megan Faure, Katherine Megaw and Dr Simon Strachan highlight that at around 11-12 months, it’s important to move your child from smooth, mushy food to textured food, finger food and steamed chunky food.
The best way to introduce these foods is with baby led weaning – a concept which simply means offering your baby safe foods that they can eat themself without assistance. This approach allows your baby to decide what and how much to eat without pressure and this often leads to greater variety and a more enjoyable eating experience.
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