Have you started feeding your baby on solid food? According to U.S. News, the first 12 months are crucial to teaching your baby to learn to love different flavors and textures. With these tips below, you can enhance and expand your child's food preference:
1. Invest in a good cooking equipment to either cook or blend the food properly. These do not have to be expensive, just as long as it can help the baby process and consume the food. You can also save more on proper equipment since you will be able to prepare food in large amounts. Then just store these in the freezer, or in bite-size ice cube trays, and just take out when needed. This cuts time with preparations, or if the baby is already very hungry.
2. Don't rush introducing new foods and textures. You can start with small portions and just serve more if the child asks. This will help the child figure out if they're actually satiated and not forced to take one last bite, according to FoodLets. In babies, you'll notice that they will gradually prefer chunkier textures over mashed food. Give it time.
3. Should you give start adding spices to baby food? Some parents are wary of this because it may trigger allergies. But according to Frank Greer, a pediatrician, "There is no evidence that delaying the introduction of these foods beyond 4 to 6 months prevents food allergies," as reported by Baby Center. "I know of no evidence that spicy food has a negative impact on babies. The degree of spiciness is a cultural thing," Greer added. It really boils down to choice. If your family has a history of allergies to certain spices, then it may be best to wait. For good measure, ask the pediatrician or family doctor first.
4. Don't give up when the baby rejects some food. "If you can get your child to try something six to 10 times, you have a very high likelihood of forming a preference for that food," said Dr. Alan Green, a pediatrician and baby book author, via Parenting. However, understand that babies will have phases where they tend to be picky. But don't fret. Just changed the food and try again some other day.
5. Make meals appealing to a young child. Prepare fun meals, such as pancakes with funny faces, or a variety of dips for their carrot and celery sticks. "Even a bagel with low-fat cream cheese can be made fun with a few blueberries for eyes and a mouth," said mother Amy Bevan to Parenting.
