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Want a child reward thought for household and associates? There are solely so many onesies and blankets a child wants, however feeding gear is at all times appreciated.
As a registered dietitian specializing in toddler feeding and a mother of seven, I’ve discovered that giving (and receiving!) helpful, sensible and protected objects associated to feeding is a singular different to toys and garments.
Many households don’t have the suitable gear to get a protected begin to stable meals, so I wished to share a few of my favourite feeding finds for various ages + phases while you’re beginning stable meals.
0-6 Months
On the subject of beginning stable meals, infants don’t want something besides breastmilk and/or system till turning 6 months outdated.
However for those who’re the planning kind, there are a number of key purchases you can also make previous to child beginning stable meals.
A Excessive High quality Excessive Chair
The one largest funding you’ll make associated to beginning solids is buying your excessive chair. In case you select accurately, the chair your child begins out in at 6 months can adapt and develop together with your youngster nicely by means of childhood and even into adolescence.
For stationary excessive chairs for use at house I search for 2 key standards:
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Does the chair have an adjustable footrest? Child’s toes should be resting flat on the footrest to stabilize the child’s core and facilitate a protected swallow. Most chairs in the marketplace don’t meet this fundamental security consideration, so you’ll be able to rule many out proper off the bat.
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Can the chair be pulled as much as the household desk so child can take part in meals from his or her first bites? It’s not protected for top chairs to be at bar or counter peak, however when you’ve got an ordinary eating desk, you may get a chair and not using a tray and produce your child to the desk.
The two excessive chairs that I exploit for my family and in my toddler feeding apply are the Stokke Tripp Trapp and the Nomi Excessive Chair. Each excessive chairs had been created by famend designer Peter Opsvik and so they promote unbiased feeding out of your child’s first bites.
Stokke Tripp Trapp
Opsvik designed the now-iconic Tripp Trapp for the Scandanavian design firm Stokke in 1972. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is a top quality picket chair with an adjustable footrest. I’ve 7 Tripp Trappps for my 7 kids (in 7 colours!) and the small footprint is good for multiples or when you’ve got restricted area in your feeding space.
In case you’re on the lookout for the long-lasting, classically designed chair that can suit your youngster up till round age 12 or 13, the Tripp Trapp is the best way to go. Be sure you buy the excessive chair model with the Child Set for feeding infants 6-18 months. Click on right here to see the Stokke Excessive Chair with Child Set setup on Amazon.
SEE THE STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP ON AMAZON
Though any good excessive chair is a stable funding, as a result of this chair has withstood the take a look at of time, it’s simple to get a used Tripp Trapp on varied child websites or Craigslist. I purchased most of my Tripp Trapps on Craigslist for about $90 every.
A disadvantage with this chair is that though the footrest and seat peak are adjustable (and ought to be adjusted repeatedly to suit the rising child’s wants), the adjustment requires instruments and a substantial time dedication. It’s a tad on the heavy aspect, however as a well-made piece of furnishings, it ought to be!
Nomi Excessive Chair
Legend has it that Peter Opsvik designed the Tripp Trapp for Stokke when his kids had been younger, after which the newer Nomi Excessive Chair for his grandchildren.
The Nomi Excessive Chair is a contemporary improve to the Tripp Trapp. Due to newer security requirements the footprint is bigger than the Tripp Trapp, however the adjustable footrest and seat don’t require instruments.
Dad and mom could balk on the worth of the Tripp Trapp and Nomis and they’re definitely an funding. However I prefer to level out this can be a piece of furnishings you take a look at, use, and clear not less than 3 occasions per day.
You may get 25% off the Nomi excessive chair (whereas provides final) utilizing my affiliate low cost code KATIE25. Click on right here to buy.
GET NOMI 25% OFF: CODE KATIE25
CPR Course
Along with deciding on a protected seat in your child to eat, one other factor you are able to do to prep earlier than beginning stable meals is to take an toddler refresher CPR course.
CPR abilities save lives. And though choking is a really uncommon threat it is usually a really actual threat. Realizing fundamental CPR abilities can save your child’s life and I counsel that everybody who helps or goes to assist feed your child know CPR.
I take a web based toddler CPR course each quarter and this on-line CPR class I take may be very thorough and really reasonably priced. You should utilize your login to then have everybody who helps feed your child (companion, husband, mother-in-law, babysitter…) take the course too.
Click on to take a look at the web refresher CPR course, code KATIE10 works for $10 off when the code is lively.
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR $10 OFF ONLINE CPR COURSE
Choking Prevention and Response Course
For fogeys and caregivers who’re particularly involved with choking threat, I co-teach a complete Choking Prevention and Response Course.
This course is designed to:
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Cease unsafe seating conditions with our posture guidelines confirmed to guard your youngster’s airway.
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Keep away from harmful family objects and modify choking threat meals to facilitate protected swallowing for infants, toddlers, and school-age kids.
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Troubleshoot feeding difficulties that may affect protected swallowing at mealtimes, similar to pocketing, overstuffing and extreme gagging.
You may get $10 off the Choking Prevention and Response course with affiliate low cost code KATIE10. Click on right here to register.
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR $10 OFF CHOKING COURSE
6-12 Months
As soon as your child hits the 6 month mark and is exhibiting the opposite indicators of readiness to feed, it’s time to get busy beginning stable meals.
I’m a agency believer that you just don’t want to purchase quite a lot of stuff to provide child a protected begin to stable meals, however a number of key objects – like a silicone suction bowl or mat actually helps with unbiased feeding.
Click on right here to learn my weblog submit all about why we wish to feed child from a suction mat or bowl and never place meals straight on the tray or desk.
5 BENEFITS OF USING A BABY PLATE OR BOWL
Feeding Gear
You would possibly suppose all child plates and bowls are created the identical, however they’re not. My favourite model of toddler feeding gear is ezpz and that’s as a result of their merchandise are designed by a feeding skilled with feeding milestones and developmentally applicable options in thoughts.
Here’s a fast listing of my favourite feeding objects from ezpz. You may get 10% off the whole lot at ezpzfun.com with code KATIE10.
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR 10% OFF AT EZPZFUN.COM
ezpz First Meals Set
The ezpz First Meals Set comprises the whole lot it’s worthwhile to get a protected begin to stable meals. I used to purchase the person items of this set and put them collectively for child bathe items for my associates…however then fortunately ezpz went and did it for cheaper than the sum of the components and in very cute packaging in a brand new product known as the First Meals Set.
The ezpz First Meals Set consists of 1 ezpz Tiny Bowl, 1 Tiny Cup and a 2-pack of the Tiny Spoons. In case you purchase 1 factor to start out baby-led weaning, let or not it’s the First Meals Set.right here
ezpz Mini Mat
The ezpz Mini Mat is one other favourite of mine for beginning stable meals. I educate a 5-step feeding framework the place you introduce child to 1 new meals per day. However when you get to Day 3, it’s time to start out introducing that new meals of the day + 2 acquainted meals from earlier days…and the Mini Mat – with its 3 particular person portion pockets – makes that occur.
In case you’re simply getting began with BLW & wish to be taught extra about this strategy to actually PUSHING your child’s palate past the easy starter meals, come try my free on-line workshop known as “BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS: How you can get your child to attempt 100 new meals earlier than turning 1 with out you having to spoon feed purees or purchase pouches!”
Everybody on the workshop will get a replica of my 100 FIRST FOODS listing and you’ll join this week’s workshop occasions right here.
SIGN UP FOR BLW FOR BEGINNERS FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP
ezpz Tiny Cup and Tiny Spoons
The ezpz Tiny Cup and a 2-pack of the Tiny Spoons are included within the First Meals Set talked about above.
Nevertheless it’s at all times a good suggestion to have a number of extras of those mendacity round while you’re beginning stable meals. Infants can begin studying to self-feed by spoon and drink from an open cup at round 6 months of age, and these are my favourite BLW cups and spoons, additionally designed by an toddler feeding skilled to advertise unbiased feeding and assist child hit these essential feeding and ingesting milestones.
Click on right here to take a look at the Tiny Spoons and right here for the Tiny Cup (each of those merchandise are developmentally applicable for 6-12m outdated infants)
Cleansing Stuff
Beginning solids is an inherently messy enterprise. Whereas it’s not our intent to ELIMINATE the mess, we will take a number of key steps to assist MINIMIZE the mess related to baby-led weaning.
Bapron Child BLW Bibs
With 7 youngsters and a pair of a long time within the feeding enterprise, I feel I’ve tried each bib ever made for a child. Palms down my favourite bibs for baby-led weaning are the complete protection BLW bibs known as Baprons made by Bapron Child.
This distinctive Bapron design is like an apron and a bib all rolled into one. Baprons tie across the again and below your child’s shoulder blades (not all up of their neck), which results in a extra nice sensory expertise when studying to eat (plus is tougher for older infants to take away by themselves 🙂
The fabric is so sturdy and you’ll rinse the Bapron bibs within the sink proper after meals, dry them on the drainboard and so they’re able to go for the following meal. No must throw every bib within the wash after each feed like it’s a must to do with different manufacturers.
Oh, and a phrase in regards to the Bapron sizing: their “Toddler” dimension is absolutely for infants 6m+ and the “Preschool” dimension is what I dimension as much as when the toddler turns about 18-24 months.
You may get 10% off Baprons with the code KATIE10: click on right here to buy.
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR 10% OFF BAPRON BIBS
Bapron Child Splash Mats
When your child is beginning out with baby-led weaning, meals will inevitably fall on the ground.
However all is just not misplaced when you’ve got a top quality splash mat below your child’s chair.
The identical firm Bapron Child that makes the BLW Bapron Bibs above additionally makes my favourite splash mats. The Bapron Splash Mats are available in stable and prints, they’re enormous (I exploit 1 Bapron splash mat below twin excessive chairs).
The Bapron splash mats are comprised of the identical superb cloth as their bibs. You’ll be able to rinse them out below your individual faucet and dry between feeds.
These splash mats additionally double as nice picnic blankets for those who’re out and about and so they fold down so small you’ll be able to simply transport them in your diaper bag.
You may get 10% off Bapron Splash Mats with the code KATIE10: click on right here to buy.
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR 10% OFF BAPRON SPLASH MATS
Department Fundamentals Non-Poisonous Cleansing Provides
One other key for minimizing BLW mess is to verify to scrub the meals mess up RIGHT after mealtime. There’s nothing worse than hardened meals that you just let sit round for too lengthy!
I exploit Department Fundamentals non-toxic All Objective cleaner for tackling these robust post-BLW meals mess conditions.
The entire Department Fundamentals merchandise are non-toxic…however they scent GOOD and so they ACTUALLY CLEAN the meals mess.
I’ve a full blown love letter to Department Fundamentals occurring on this weblog submit known as “FAVORITE NON-TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR KIDS’ FOOD MESS” however for those who’ve been seeking to ditch the toxins, you’ll positively wish to try Department Fundamentals.
You may get 15% off the Department Fundamentals Starter Kits with code KATIE15. Click on right here to buy.
(…and there are 2 Department Fundamentals Starter Kits however I extremely counsel the “Premium” that has the laundry add on & Oxygen Enhance. I exploit that Oxygen Enhance for the whole lot – together with getting meals stains out of something and it’s completely price the additional $10)
USE CODE KATIE15 FOR 15% OFF BRANCH BASICS STARTER KIT
12 Months+
What modifications in feeding when your child turns 1?
Effectively principally you progress to cow’s milk and it’s time to dimension up on the cup and spoon and add the fork. (Infants below age 12 months don’t want a fork).
ezpz Mini Cup and Mini Utensils
As soon as your child hits about 12 months it’s time to dimension as much as the larger ezpz cup known as the Mini Cup.
Whereas the Tiny Cup is 2 ouncesand designed for 6-12 months, the ezpz Mini Cup is a 4 ouncessilicone cup ideally suited for infants 12 months+.
Code KATIE10 works for 10% off the Mini Cup and click on right here to buy. (Oh, and I positively don’t suggest utilizing the Mini Cup for infants lower than 1 12 months. They want that smaller sized Tiny Cup that’s designed particularly for his or her smaller mouths and fingers.)
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR 10% OFF THE EZPZ MINI CUP AT 12M
One other milestone that occurs when child turns 1 is we begin to introduce the fork. Spoon use begins at 6 months however by age 1 I change child to the ezpz Mini Utensils.
These had been designed by their feeding skilled with all kinds of options supposed to assist unbiased feeding and age-appropriate feeding milestones as child strikes into the 2nd 12 months of life.
There’s no want to start out the Mini Utensils till child turns 1, however use code KATIE10 for 10% off at ezpzfun.com while you’re able to dimension as much as the Mini Utensils.
24 months+
When your child hits the two 12 months mark, there are nonetheless a number of feeding gear upgrades you would possibly wish to take into account.
Ezpz makes a brand new “Completely happy” line of their feeding gear for twenty-four months+.
Take a look at the HAPPY UTENSILS and the HAPPY CUP for older youngsters.
They’ll love the acquainted, protected design of the sooner strains (Tiny and Mini) however the whole lot Completely happy from ezpz is for two years and up.
SHOP EZPZ HAPPY LINE DISCOUNT CODE KATIE10
Non-Poisonous Skincare for Infants
What you place ON your child’s physique is as essential as what you place IN it.
In case your child has eczema, getting that eczema below management asap is essential for reducing child’s threat of peanut allergy.
New analysis hyperlinks extreme eczema with meals allergy threat and whereas many infants have eczema, eczema is treatable.
The model of non-toxic skincare I exploit and suggest is from the corporate Evereden.
Evereden makes a non-toxic non-steroidal eczema remedy cream that works AMAZINGLY on infants with eczema.
You may get 15% off the whole lot at Evereden with my affiliate low cost code KATIE15. Click on right here to buy…I’ve linked up a number of of my favorites and the Nourishing Child Face Cream is to die for – you’ll by no means return to overpriced grownup face cream after you do this product!!
SHOP EVEREDEN NONTOXIC SKINCARE CODE KATIE15
Favourite BLW Books
In case you’re not into shopping for gear but and simply wish to familiarize your self with beginning solids utilizing baby-led weaning, I’ll hyperlink to a couple of my favourite books that I extremely suggest right here:
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The ORIGINAL Child-Led Weaning E-book by Gil Rapley was not too long ago overhauled for its tenth anniversary, is a must-read written by the founding father of this philosophy and is on the market on Amazon.
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Child-Led Weaning researcher Amy Brown has a wonderful pocket information known as Why Beginning Solids Issues and you’ll find it on Amazon.
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Jenna Helwig is a BLW writer and the meals editor at Actual Easy Journal. Her latest guide The Multi-Cooker Child Meals Cookbook is on the market on Amazon & is a superb excuse to bust out your InstantPot to start out feeding your child!
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My Irish good friend & colleague Aileen Cox Blundell’s books The Child-Led Feeding Cookbook and The Child-Pleasant Household Cookbook are each fabulous for BLW recipes and are on Amazon.
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In case you’re curious in regards to the newest analysis and proof supporting early introduction of probably allergenic meals, make sure to try pediatrician & meals allergy skilled Ron Sunog, MD’s guide known as Eat the Eight: Stopping Meals Allergy with Meals and the Imperfect Artwork of Medication obtainable on Amazon.
BLW Meals to Purchase & Attempt
I’m not a giant fan of packaged meals for baby-led weaning, however there are a number of which might be superb by me and can assist make your life simpler plus provide a protected different for feeding your child.
Puffworks Peanut Butter
On the subject of introducing peanut protein, analysis reveals us that early introduction helps stop peanut allergy down the highway.
However as a result of intact nuts and globs of peanut butter generally is a choking hazard, I like to make use of peanut butter puffs formulated for infants and my favourite model are known as Puffworks.
These are natural peanut butter puffs, they’re softer than another puffs in the marketplace in order that they dissolve on child’s tongue and so they haven’t any added sugar and only a smidge of salt.
Plus the Puffworks Child Peanut Butter Puffs are the proper dimension for child to choose up and self-feed.
Puffworks additionally makes child almond puffs now for safely introducing the possibly allergenic meals: tree nut to your child.
I like to recommend getting 1 case of Puffworks Child Peanut and 1 case of Puffworks Child Almond to start out. Use code BABYLED for a reduction and click on right here to buy.
SHOP PUFFWORKS PEANUT PUFFS: CODE BABYLED
A Feeding Reward for Fur Infants
If your loved ones additionally has animals, these fur infants must eat too.
Ono Pals Suction Pet Bowls
Do you know that ezpz has a sister firm known as ONO FRIENDS and so they make silicone suction pet feeding bowls which might be extremely trendy but in addition extremely useful.
The ONO FRIENDS pet bowls suction to the bottom to assist stabilize throughout meals and stop spills of pet meals and water.
You may get 10% off the whole lot at onofriends.com with code KATIE10.
They’ve totally different dimension bowls for smaller and bigger animals plus single and double choices your self-feeding animal goes to like!!
Click on to buy ONO FRIENDS suction pet bowls.
USE CODE KATIE10 FOR 10% OFF AT ONOFRIENDS
Household Feeding Reward Information Roundup
Effectively, hopefully this reward listing provides you some concepts of feeding current concepts for infants, toddlers, adults & even pets of various ages and phases.
Right here’s a fast rundown of the hyperlinks with codes if you wish to test any of the objects on this FAMILY FEEDING GIFT GUIDE out:
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ezpz code KATIE10 for 10% off – store right here
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On-line CPR refresher course code KATIE10 for $10 off $35 class – register right here
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Bapron Child code KATIE10 for 10% off – store right here
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Department Fundamentals non-toxic cleaners code KATIE15 for 15% off starter kits – store right here
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Evereden non-toxic skincare code KATIE15 for 15% off – store right here
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Puffworks Child Peanut Butter puffs code BABYLED – store right here
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Ono suction bowls for fur infants code KATIE10 – store right here