From six months onwards it really starts: the first snacks! Your baby gets to know other tastes besides milk. Ideally, you teach him to eat a varied diet and you also ensure that sitting at the table is a pleasant time of the day!

The first real food

The first solid food is a different story for your little one. Not only does he have to deal with new flavors, the structure also takes some getting used to, as does the way of eating. Your child is still very sensitive when it comes to what he tastes. That’s because he has 1,200 taste buds in his mouth. Compare: at the age of 10 only half of that is left and when you are 30 you only have about 250 left! Adults may taste less, but can therefore handle stronger flavors.

From soft and sweet to…

Your child is used to mild and sweet milk. So when it comes to snacks, you prefer soft, sweet flavors, such as carrot, avocado, pumpkin, pear, banana and apricots. And to make the transition from milk to solid food gradual, the snack is very smooth and soft in the beginning, then you gradually adjust it to increasingly coarser. Also consider the temperature: your little one is used to lukewarm milk. Eating from a spoon requires a completely different technique than drinking from the breast or bottle. The snack enters the front of the mouth and must be moved to the back: that takes some practice. Sometimes it comes out again, but that does not mean that he does not like it, rather that it is not working out yet in terms of oral motor skills. Preferably use a plastic spoon, which feels more comfortable in the mouth.

One more bite

Learning to eat and appreciate food is often not possible in one go. It’s a matter of always trying; sometimes it takes up to 10 presentations to get used to a new taste. Your baby’s tastes still change from day to day. Is a certain pureed vegetable not to your taste? Try it raw, fried, roasted or with a sauce. In any case, there are children who like food with a ‘bite’ better than pureed or mushy. You can take this into account when offering.

At the table

Your baby prefers to be with you and this also applies to food. Sit down as a family for meals as often as possible. This makes it a really special moment and your little one learns the rhythm of eating moments and how to take the time to eat. This prevents your toddler from wanting too many snacks or from eating everywhere and nowhere. You give the first snacks in the rocking chair or on your lap, but as soon as your baby can sit reasonably independently, put him in his own high chair. Tip: There are chair inserts and aids available, especially for young babies, which you can use as a precursor to sitting independently. Talk to your baby when you feed him. ”What is he eating, who is sitting comfortably at the table? What have you done today and what are you going to do later?”. If he is a bit bigger, he will want whatever you have: plate, cup and cutlery. Please note: step 1 is tasting and eating. Using a knife and fork comes later. Fine motor skills are important for using cutlery. This is not yet developed that far in young children, they cannot even put a Brussels sprout on the fork. To ensure that your little one still gets enough, you can fill an extra plate from which you always give him a snack.

Mess?

Your baby will not eat neatly: you will be happy if more ends up in the mouth than next to it! Give your child compliments if he succeeds and, above all, keep it fun. He is not supposed to put his hands in his food or throw it around. Distract him and don’t laugh when the plate is taken off the table. Then your baby thinks it gets attention and he will continue to do it. Set a good example: You often see parents first quickly give their child a potty and then eat it themselves later. A child never sees his parents eat like this, which is a shame. You will notice that as he gets older, he messes less and adopts table manners. Until then: put on a bib or even a tea towel. After all, it’s all about the end goal: good food, lots of fun and fun together at the table! If you are concerned about your child’s eating behavior and his growth and weight, please contact the child health clinic.

I don’t like it!

No matter how hard you try, some children simply don’t like much. Do what you can, keep offering, but also ensure that the meals remain enjoyable. Perhaps the following advice will help.

• Don’t start something new when your child is hungry or tired. Then your little one prefers to eat something familiar.
• ”Do it yourself: some children like to hold a spoon and eat themselves. In the meantime, you can of course just pass on the snacks.
• Leave the bread crusts on the sandwich from the start to avoid fussing.
• Don’t pay too much attention to not eating: after a certain time you take everything off the table and the eating moment is over. Better luck next time.
• And most importantly: you set the example, your child will adopt your eating behavior.