Mealtime Mess - Chaos Is Inevitable

Mealtime Mess – Chaos is inevitable 

Please note the information in this blog is general in nature and should not replace the support and advice from your health care provider. If you have concerns or questions about your individual situation, please contact your chosen healthcare provider. 

⭐️I’m so excited you have found this blog, for those of you who are new here I am Rebecca Bradshaw, a rural woman, mother, wife and the founder of Rural Child Health. I'm a child health nurse and clinical nurse who has dedicated nearly two decades to helping rural and isolated mothers throughout their parenting journeys. My vision is happier, healthier more connected families! I'm also a lover of all things chocolate, English breakfast tea and it totally matters what cup you have your tea out of ⭐️

My second most favourite thing about babies, zero to five, is starting solids and the transition through food and right through to toddler food. This blog is the perfect place to be if you’ve started the fun of solids but have been having a hard time adjusting to all. the. mess. If you haven’t quite started solids you might like to start here . 

Mealtime mess—it's the inevitable chaos that comes with feeding little ones, but it doesn't have to be a recipe for stress. Let's talk about embracing the mess and making mealtime a positive experience for both you and your little human.  

Things that help 

First off, arm yourself with some spray and wipe or DIY kitchen cleaner, along with plenty of paper towels. A smock for your child? Definitely not a bad idea. You can even lay down some plastic under their high chair to contain the fallout. And here's a pro tip: consider taking the meal outside. Sunshine, fresh air, and less mess to tackle indoors—sounds like a win-win, right? Well, except for those pesky mozzies. They're on a whole other level lately!

Embracing the chaos 

Embrace the chaos by snapping plenty of photos of your little one covered in food. Trust me, those messy moments will be gold when you're reminiscing at their 21st birthday bash. But here's the real scoop: resist the urge to clean up after every spill. Let them dive into the experience, messy face and all. Imagine if someone wiped your face after every bite of your favorite meal—it'd kill the vibe, right? Same goes for your little human. Constant wiping interrupts their enjoyment of the meal and can even make them call it quits prematurely. 

Let them get messy 

Here’s the biggest thing -Let them get messy -it's all part of the learning process. If we're constantly wiping their face after every bite, it becomes a sensory overload for them. Which means it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. It's all about finding that balance between cleanliness and letting them savor the meal without feeling overwhelmed. 

So next time your little one is diving into their meal with gusto, remember to embrace the mess. After all, those messy faces and sticky fingers are just signs of a meal well-enjoyed. And hey, a little mess never hurt anyone—it's all part of the fun! 

If you’ve enjoyed this little exploration into the world of solids this information is part of a full masterclass Starting Solids Masterclass. If you’d love to watch the full masterclass (32 minutes, for all those mummas with calendars to plan), head to this link here.