Let me begin by saying: I like my son and would do something for him. However in these early days of solids, I dreaded mealtimes — he was the messiest eater alive, and a marinara hair masks was not a part of my parenting imaginative and prescient. I say this as a result of I get it, and I commiserate with anybody about to embark on the baby-led weaning (BLW) journey.
However concern not! OXO Tot has a complete line of BLW-specific merchandise, so there’s a great probability your sanity will really survive. Each bit is examined to deal with all of the drops, splats, and dramatic meals rejections that include these first meals. Take it from somebody who’s been there: fill up and thank your self later.
Earlier than we dive into the gear, right here’s a fast overview of what BLW really is: It’s merely a means of introducing solids that lets your child take the lead. As a substitute of spoon-feeding purees, they seize, chew, and study to feed themselves. (That is the place your persistence will get examined.) To grasp biting and chewing, infants want plenty of follow with actual meals, which makes BLW nice for oral-motor improvement and hand-eye coordination. It additionally folds child into household mealtimes, boosting social interplay and publicity to new flavors with out requiring you to cook dinner a second dinner.
So, how have you learnt when your child’s prepared? Round six months is typical, however each child is completely different. Search for indicators like sitting up with little or no help, reaching for meals, bringing fingers to mouth, and stable head management. Able to roll? Let’s speak in regards to the instruments that’ll make BLW a breeze.
1. A Non-Negotiable Grape Cutter
You’d be shocked on the period of time you’ll spend slicing and dicing fruit for a bit one. Make issues simpler on your self with this grape cutter that rapidly quarters grapes, small tomatoes, and pitted olives into baby-friendly items.
2. A Nifty Crinkle Cutter
Wavy cuts aren’t only for appears to be like — the ridges give slippery meals additional grip for tiny fingers. This crinkle cutter holds like an everyday knife, so it’s straightforward to cut with out wreaking havoc in your wrist. And no want to fret about hand-washing between the grooves as a result of it’s dishwasher protected.
3. An On-The-Go Chopping Buddy
Journey scissors fall into the class of meals objects you by no means knew you wanted. Relatively than hacking at grilled hen with a plastic knife, these minimize straight via meals easily. They’ve helpful measuring strains, and the blades come aside so you’ll be able to really clear them (as a result of crusted-on meals is not the vibe).
4. A Good Utensil Set
Hold child’s grip on monitor with the one-way deal with of this delicate silicone fork and spoon set made with little fingers in thoughts. There’s even a dimple on the again that retains them from rolling off the desk mid-meal. Your again will thanks.
5. A Dipper Spoon Duo
Suppose honey dipper, however make it baby-friendly. Designed to assist infants study to self-feed, these spoons simply seize onto purees and delicate meals with out all of the awkward scooping and balancing.
6. A Suction Plate That Entertains
Retaining your child’s consideration whereas consuming might be powerful, which is why this suction plate is good. The rainbow grooves not solely prevents meals from slipping round, however in addition they present a enjoyable texture for little fingers to discover. The 2 zones encourage interplay and the raised outer wall helps hold meals largely on the plate.
7. A Sturdy Bib
Discovering the right bib is a bit like Goldilocks — material ones get soaked via, silicone ones are onerous to journey with. This hybrid model is the must-have center floor. The waterproof material high gives full protection with a silicone pocket catch-all. It even rolls up sufficiently small to hardly discover it in your diaper bag.
8. A Mighty Robust Meals Storage Set
I want I knew about these containers sooner as a result of they really do all of it: portion, retailer, warmth, and serve. The glass is powerful sufficient to go instantly from the freezer right into a microwave, and the snap-tight lids gained’t leak in your bag. They’re even, dare I say, stackable.
9. A Spill-Proof Straw Cup That *Actually* Works
Bid adieu to the dear straw cup purchasing sport as a result of this one really delivers. The spill-proof, almond-shaped straw solely works when your child sips. And sure, the entire thing can go straight into the dishwasher.
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