Get Your Baby Ready for Mealtime in a Snap

Tips on how to make mealtime easier.

December 15, 2021

Full Coverage Bib by Bibbrella

S
ometimes, the most challenging part of mealtime isn’t the meal. Whether it’s a fussy baby or a busy schedule, getting ready for a meal can be just as much work. Stay ahead of mealtime prep by following these tips on how to get your baby ready in a snap!

Keep All Mealtime Related Accessories in One Place

There’s no need to run around like a maniac during one of the busiest times of the day! A storage space or caddy can hold everything needed for baby’s meal such as their food mat, full-length bib, and sippy cup. This keeps everything conveniently in one place, but it also keeps everything portable in case your baby needs to be fed in a different area than usual. Once everything has been cleaned, simply toss back into the caddy for the next meal.

Use Efficient Accessories

When selecting mealtime accessories, do so with an eye towards products that will help you streamline prep and clean up. For instance, a full-coverage bib like Bibbrella eliminates multiple steps to dressing or changing for dinner while also reducing post-meal cleanup.

Create a Calm Environment

It can be hard to keep your cool when there’s a pot of pasta on the stove, the baby is screaming for their food, and the dog is running laps indoors as she gets excited by all the pandemonium. However, keeping calm helps others in the house–human or otherwise–to follow suit. If keeping calm seems like an impossibility, it might be time to revamp meal prep to make it less stressful.

Develop a Countdown Routine

Routine can give both parents and children some peace of mind. The more consistent getting ready for mealtime is, the less surprises there are to prompt pre-meal chaos. Plus, it helps signal to a child that mealtime is happening soon. Countdown routines shouldn’t be overly complicated and can be simple as giving a 20 minute heads up before beginning the pre-meal routine. This may involve turning off any screens, engaging in a quick activity, and washing their hands before sitting down to eat.

Be Mindful of Preferences

Having a relaxed environment helps make pre-meal prep and mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone. However, each child is different and their needs should be considered when it comes to thinking about what pre-meal activity (before routines like washing hands, putting on a bib, etc.) is best suited for them. Some may only wind down after a more engaging activity like singing, while others may prefer more low-key, solo activities like coloring.

Make Pre-mealtime Fun

If you have a fussy child, having pre-meal activities that revolve around food or cooking can help ease stress and anxiety about meals. Silly drawing of meatballs or a funny dance about carrots to engage littles ones not only creates positive associations with the food they’re about to eat, it also creates memories and bonding moments with your babe. Pre-meal fun isn’t just for kids–it can help parents loosen up more too!

For suggestions on how to make mealtimes less stressful, check out our other posts here!