Making Mealtime Fun! by Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls

By Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls · 6 items added

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Introducing your baby to solids is not only about teaching him to swallow food from a spoon, but teaching him that mealtime is something to look forward to and enjoy. We all lead very busy lives and kids can easily come to think of eating as a chore, which can lead to picky eaters and bad habits. Taking just a little extra time to make mealtime fun will help lay a strong foundation, not only for good nutrition, but for the love of mealtime.

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1. Make Positive Associations From The Start
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Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls says: "You can start making positive food associations right from the start. Tell your baby what she is eating. Let her touch, smell and explore the whole fruits and vegetables. She’ll love being part of the action."

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1. Make Positive Associations From The Start You can start making positive food associations right from the start. Tell your baby what she is eating. Let her touch, smell and explore the whole fruits and vegetables. She’ll love being part of the action.
2. Leave Plenty of Time
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Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls says: "Leave plenty of time for your baby’s meals, especially in the beginning. Be sure not to rush him. If he feels rushed it could attach a negative feeling to mealtime when it should be something to look forward to."

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2. Leave Plenty of Time Leave plenty of time for your baby’s meals, especially in the beginning. Be sure not to rush him. If he feels rushed it could attach a negative feeling to mealtime when it should be something to look forward to.
3. Avoid Personal Food Aversions
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It’s important to avoid putting your personal food aversions onto your baby. My husband has a really strong anti-cheese thing going on - he can’t even handle being near it, but most babies and kids love cheese.

Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls says: "Every time I give my boys something with cheese, I can see my husband ready to make a comment and I give him a little wink as a reminder not to say anything."

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- Eden Godsoe: This is so true. My husband HATES mushrooms to the point that we don't even have them in the house. I love mushrooms & want my kids to eat them but when I order them at a restaurant he makes a big fuss. The kids are convinced they are gross & it's hard to change that behavior now.
3. Avoid Personal Food Aversions Every time I give my boys something with cheese, I can see my husband ready to make a comment and I give him a little wink as a reminder not to say anything. It’s important to avoid putting your personal food aversions onto your baby. My husband has a really strong anti-cheese thing going on - he can’t even handle being near it, but most babies and kids love cheese.
4. Take Advantage of Bonding Time
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Mealtime is a great opportunity to bond with your baby.

Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls says: "Whenever possible, turn off the TV, put down the cell phone, and avoid the computer. Try listening to music and talking to your baby - even if he or she can’t talk back…yet."

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4. Take Advantage of Bonding Time Whenever possible, turn off the TV, put down the cell phone, and avoid the computer. Try listening to music and talking to your baby - even if he or she can’t talk back…yet. Mealtime is a great opportunity to bond with your baby.
5. Be A Good Example
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Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls says: "Be a good example. We are our children's first teachers and they look up to us more than anyone. If your child sees you eating healthy, he or she will want to eat healthy too!"

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- Eden Godsoe: I save my poor eating (like bags of salt & vinegar chips) for when they are in bed!
- Scarlet: I personally love brussel sprouts and appear to be the only one in the household who does. I steam them and they literally liquefy so I am always trying to sneak it into their meals, but they catch it every time. If you can come up with a way to make brussel sprouts fun to eat, you will be worthy of the GH seal of approval, a PTA and Soccer mom godess and car pool queen!
5. Be A Good Example Be a good example. We are our children's first teachers and they look up to us more than anyone. If your child sees you eating healthy, he or she will want to eat healthy too!
6. Keep A Camera Nearby
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Liza Huber, Sage Spoonfuls says: "You’ll be glad you did! Some of my favorite photos of my children were taken at mealtime."

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- Road Runner: I would agree with you on that point. You do a great job of documenting your kids lives, milestones and the like, through photograph's. I guess it is the unrehearsed, and candid nature of each moment, that results in a fabulous picture!
6. Keep A Camera Nearby You’ll be glad you did! Some of my favorite photos of my children were taken at mealtime.