This post is sponsored by Nuffnang
I think if I were to start a niche blog about feeding babies and toddlers I’d call it “Spoonface” (can I trademark that?). A homage to that face—you know the one—that we all make when we spoon feed babies. Of course I’m not going to start a baby food blog, because—well let’s face it—I have enough trouble keeping up with the blogs I already have, but I do have things to say on the topic of kids starting out on solids.
Both of my girls had very different starts to their solids journey. Erin’s was incredibly difficult, resulting in tube feeding and a year’s worth therapy to teach her how to eat, and me how to feed her and be more patient—something I still struggle with. Abi, on the other, her solids journey was pretty straight forward though not necessarily traditional.
After our experiences with Erin we questioned whether the absence of a spoon would have benefited her. Perhaps if she had been more in control of her own feeding destiny from the start she wouldn’t associate eating with something unpleasant—well, as much as any baby with silent reflux can. So, when Abi came long we decided from the get go to follow the principles of “baby led weaning”—a principle that allows babies to feed themselves from a very early age.
As I was aware of recent research which suggested red meat should be introduced as a first food meant that Abi experienced the joy of Daddy made lamb stew. Of course in the beginning she didn’t actually consume very much, mostly she just gummed on the lamb and mashed the veggies up with her hands. I like to think that, because stewed lamb is so tender, she still managed to swallow some of goodness without actually having eaten much.
Red meats such as lamb and beef are higher in iron and zinc than white meat and other foods which makes it a great complimentary first food for babies.
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Table taken from: Feeding Babies and Toddlers brochure.
If you think Baby led weaning is for you, meat is an easy option, even for the earliest eaters. It’s nutritious, great tasting and, if cooked properly, even the cheaper cuts will turn out nice and tender—Naughty Daddy recommends gravy beef for stews As your kids get older and better at eating, you can try any meat cut into fingers. My girls especially love being able to dip their meat into sauces and gravy.
For more information about feeding your baby or toddler red meat please visit The Main Meal, their Feeding Babies and Toddlers brochure contains a number of great recipes to help you on your way. Endeavour
