Best Way to Get Your Baby to Eat

The routines of feeding, clothing, and getting your child to sleep move slowly from things you do for them to things you help them do for themselves. While it often seems easier to do it all yourself, you’ll want to encourage as much self-help as possible.

If you worry about getting your baby to eat, don’t. It’s not really possible. You can control the quality and variety that you offer, but your baby should control the quantity eaten. Be aware that children’s appetites usually decrease dramatically at about one year of age because their growth slows. As for your child’s attitudes, respect strong food dislikes. Your job is to provide preferred, nutritious foods. Your child should determine how much is eaten.

Feeding Your Baby

• Warm baby food in an egg poacher using the compartments for different foods.
• Use paper muffin cups or coffee filters for appropriate baby foods, to save on dish washing.
• Puree foods in a blender, food mill, or food processor, and freeze them in ice cube trays or in “plops” on cookie sheets.
• Use a spoon to feed a young child a banana right out of the peel, one bite at a time. The rest of the banana will stay fresh.
• Make your own baby oatmeal by placing rolled oats in your blender or food processor. Cook the fine, flour-like cereal with water or milk until it’s the right consistency.
• Use a long-handled spoon that fits your baby’s mouth. Plastic-coated spoons feel good on tender gums.
• Keep your baby from sliding down in a highchair by putting a small rubber sink mat (or nonslip bathtub daisies or strips) on the seat. Even a square of non-adhesive foam or rubber shelf lining works.

• Use a fabric highchair insert that attaches to the back of the chair and ties around your child. It helps a very young child sit up while holding the child securely in place. It’s good for travel, too, as it can turn a standard high-back chair into a highchair.
• Use a plastic booster seat as a highchair when you’re planning to be away from home during mealtime. Strap the booster seat to a regular seat and buckle your baby in safely.