Watching your baby join in on holiday meals can feel so special, but it’s also natural to have questions about safety and preparation.
To start, remember that a baby should meet a few criteria before diving into solids, especially with BLW. Babies should be at least six months old, show interest in food, be able to sit up without support, and bring food to their mouths on their own. If you're looking for more information about BLW check out my other blog all about it!
Once your little one is ready, the holiday table offers plenty of opportunities to try new flavors and textures—just with a few extra precautions to keep your BLW journey safe and smooth!
Intro to BLW During the Holidays
Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a method of introducing solid foods that allows babies to feed themselves hand-held foods instead of being spoon-fed by an adult. This approach encourages babies to explore a variety of textures and tastes at their own pace, promoting independence and helping them develop their chewing skills and hand-eye coordination. The concept is simple: rather than purees, your little one joins in with family meals, grabbing and tasting foods that are safe and suitable for their developmental stage.
However, the holiday season brings unique challenges to families practicing BLW. For starters, holiday meals are often richer and more varied than typical daily fare, filled with dishes that may not always be suitable for the youngest diners in terms of size, texture, or ingredients. Additionally, the bustling atmosphere of holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for babies, which might distract or even distress them during meal times.
There's also the aspect of well-meaning relatives who may not be familiar with or supportive of baby-led weaning, offering foods that aren't appropriate or insisting on traditional spoon-feeding methods. Navigating these situations requires preparation and sometimes a bit of diplomacy, ensuring that your baby continues their food exploration safely and joyously during these festive gatherings.
Preparing for Holiday Meals
Preparing for holiday meals with a baby-led weaning (BLW) approach involves thoughtful
planning to ensure that the littlest members of the family can partake safely and enjoyably. Start by identifying holiday dishes that naturally fit within the BLW parameters, such as well-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, tender meats, and grain dishes that are easy for tiny hands to grasp. When planning the menu, consider incorporating modifications to traditional recipes to make them more baby-friendly.
For example, preparing sweet potatoes without added sugar or marshmallows provides a healthy, simple option that babies can enjoy.
It’s also beneficial to communicate with any hosts or other family members about your baby’s dietary needs ahead of time if you'll be attending someone else's home for the holidays. Explain the basics of BLW and suggest simple adjustments to parts of the meal, or bring along a few dishes that your baby can eat.
This not only ensures that your child has safe and appropriate foods to enjoy but also raises awareness among your family and friends about BLW. By using these strategies for your holiday preparations, you can allow your baby to explore a variety of holiday flavors and textures alongside the rest of the family!
BONUS TIP: If you are traveling to another home for holiday meals, pack a travel highchair so that your baby has somewhere comfortable and safe for them to eat.
So Many Opinions
As you might already know, it's natural to encounter curious relatives eager to offer traditional spoon-fed treats. To navigate this smoothly, a little heads-up to your family can go a long way. Before the meal, share a quick rundown on BLW—emphasize how it helps your baby’s development and mention the types of foods that are safe and beneficial for them.
Bringing along a few of your baby’s favorite dishes ensures they have appropriate options to enjoy, and it can help demonstrate BLW in action to your family. Most importantly, don't shy away from politely setting boundaries around what your baby can and can't eat. This is about your child's health and safety, and hopefully, your family will understand and respect your choices when they see you are confident and informed! You’re doing great, and sticking to your parenting choices during these gatherings is just another part of the journey!
List of BLW-Friendly Holiday Foods
Turkey or Ham: Opt for baking or roasting with minimal added salt and set aside a portion for your baby before adding heavy spices or sugar-based glazes.
Mashed Potatoes: Make a batch without a lot of added salt. You can substitute the cream with a bit of breast milk to create a creamier texture suitable for your baby.
Stuffing: Prepare a simple version with less seasoning, maybe even using sourdough bread for a better option.
Sweet Potatoes: Roast or steam sweet potatoes without added sugar or marshmallows. You can mash them or cut them into manageable sticks that babies can hold.
Green Beans: Ensure they are cooked until very soft to avoid choking hazards.
Cranberry Sauce: Make a homemade version with fresh cranberries and reduce the sugar content, or simply blend fresh cranberries into a puree.
Pumpkin Pie: Create a no-sugar version of pumpkin puree or a small crustless pumpkin custard for your baby, using cinnamon for flavoring instead of sugar or sweetened condensed milk.
Rolls or Bread: Offer sourdough rolls or a slice of soft whole-grain bread, ideally without added sugars or unnecessary preservatives.
Gravy: Prepare a simple gravy from natural turkey drippings and thicken it with a little flour or cornstarch, avoiding added salt or high-sodium stock cubes.
Vegetable Casseroles: Avoid recipes that include a lot of cheese, cream, or fried onions. Instead, go for baked casseroles made with a variety of colorful vegetables that your baby can pick up and eat independently.
These are just a few examples of "typical" holiday foods, but tailor your family's meal to whatever you need it to be for your baby (or maybe even you!)
Foods to be Cautious of During Holidays
Honey: Avoid any dishes containing honey, as it is said to possibly cause botulism in children under one-year-old.
Whole Nuts and Hard Foods: These can be a choking hazard. This includes whole grapes, raw carrots, and hard candies.
Popcorn: Another choking risk, popcorn should be avoided for babies and young toddlers.
Highly Seasoned or Spicy Foods: Babies' digestive systems are still developing, and spicy or heavily seasoned foods might cause irritation.
Processed Meats: Foods like sausages or bacon are often high in salt and nitrates, which aren't suitable for young babies.
Sugary Treats: Minimize cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats, as sugar is not advisable for babies under one.
Small, Hard Pieces of Vegetables or Fruits: If not cooked until soft, these can be a choking hazard. Items like raw apple pieces or chunks of raw celery should be avoided.
Complex Casseroles: Dishes that contain layers of ingredients that can’t be easily separated may need to be avoided, especially if they include any of the above items or are difficult for babies to handle.
Travel Tips and Recommendations
Some planning and preparation when traveling with a BLW baby will save you a lot of time and possibly a headache. Bring along some travel utensils and a silicone placemat that can be easily cleaned and reused. Pack plenty of wipes for those adorable (but very messy) little hands, faces, and high chairs. You might also want to pack a cup specific for your baby, especially one that minimizes messes like a straw cup.
Bringing an extra set of clothes is also wise, as holiday gatherings tend to last longer, and babies love exploring food with all their senses! A bib with a pocket to catch food bits can minimize mess, and if you’re visiting family or friends - as mentioned above - a portable high chair might be a helpful addition to your travel gear.
Conclusion
Remember, the holiday season is about making memories, so enjoy the experience and celebrate your baby’s food discoveries! As long as you stick to safe foods, prepare them correctly, and go with your baby’s pace, holiday meals can be a joyful and relaxed BLW adventure. Embrace the joy and excitement of this new chapter, and don’t forget to snap some photos—you’ll cherish these moments for years to come!
I hope you have a GREAT holiday season with your family!
Xo,
Jess
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