Starting your baby on solids is a wonderful milestone filled with excitement, discovery, and quite a bit of mess!

So how do you know if your baby is ready, what can you do to ensure the process goes smoothly, and what exactly should you be feeding them?

Is baby ready?

Each baby is different, so it is a good idea to go by your child’s cues and the recommendation of your maternal child health nurse or doctor.

The current health guidelines recommend introducing solids to baby when they:

• Are between four to six months old
• Can to hold their own head up consistently
• Show interest in food around them by watching/reaching
• Open their mouth when you are eating
• Are still hungry after milk
• Have lost the tongue thrust reflex (pushing food out of the mouth with the tongue)

Prior to four months old, baby’s digestive system can struggle to cope with solid foods and their lack of head control makes choking a very real possibility, so it is best not to start early.

Homemade vs processed

Processed baby food is an easy, hygienic, and convenient way to feed baby on the go. Popping a pouch and a spoon in your nappy bag means no need to heat up food, no worries about temperature regulation while it sits in your bag for hours, and usually less mess.

Health officials and nutritionists recommend that you do keep them for outings only and attempt to give baby food you have made yourself when you’re home. This helps expose them to a wider range of textures and subtle variations in flavour that don’t come in standardised products and can help reduce the likelihood of fussy eating when older. However we all know that life throws us curve balls; with other children to care for, the school run, work, and myriad other commitments, so having a few in the cupboard is a good idea!

Puree vs baby led weaning

If you want to skip the puree stage and go straight to finger foods, then Baby Led Weaning (BLW) might be the solution for your family. BLW originated in the UK and is a process by which baby starts eating small servings of the family meal from the beginning. It means you don’t have to cook and mash dedicated meals for baby, and parents who have used both methods report their BLW babies have grown in to less fussy eaters than their puree fed babies.

It is a very personal decision and it is important to do what works for your baby and family.

Puree recipes

If you’re going down the puree road, then batch making and freezing ice cube portions of different food combinations is the most time effective way to go. Here are some of our favourite puree recipes for you to try:

• Peach and Cauliflower with Ginger 
• Quinoa Porridge 
• Green Goodness 
• Sweet Potato and Basil 

Beyond purees

Once baby has successfully navigated purees (or if you’re going straight to baby led weaning), the possibilities for food expand greatly, for example:

• Fruit: Grated apple or pear, soft banana, ripe avocado, seedless watermelon, stone fruits with stone removed.
• Meat or alternative: Meat on a safe bone (chicken leg bone/lamb chop), firm tofu.
• Fish: Homemade fish fingers or fish cakes; flakes of cooked fish with no bones
• Vegetables: Cooked greens such as beans and broccoli, fingers of cooked potato, carrot or other vegetable, grated raw carrot.
• Bread: White ‘high-fibre’ or wholemeal bread, homemade rusks, toast (use any spread sparingly), sandwiches.
• Pasta: Cooked and cooled pasta.
• Eggs: Quarters of hard-boiled egg (yolk or whole), strips of omelette.
• Milk products: Thin slices or grated cheese, yoghurt, custard.

The other end

What goes in, must come out. With the introduction of solids, baby’s poo is going to change and it’s not going to be pretty. You will notice a marked increase in odour, colour, and texture as their digestive system moves from the easy process of eliminating milk to the more sophisticated system involved in digesting solids.

Whilst these changes can be confronting, they are completely normal, as is minor constipation which can generally be alleviated by a few constipation cure purees. Make sure to consult your medical team if the constipation persists or you notice any blood.

Allergies

The increase in food allergies is an alarming trend that worries almost all parents, particularly when introducing new foods. Previously, health professionals thought it best to avoid the major allergens, but newer research shows that providing small, consistent exposure to these can actually reduce the likelihood of developing food allergies.

From six months baby can be exposed to small tastes of cooked egg, wheat, nut pastes, cows' milk and fish (honey should be avoided until after 12 months due to the risk of botulism infection and whole nuts due to the choking risk).

If you have a child with a history of milk sensitivity – either you had to modify your diet to breastfeed or they had to go on a special non-allergenic formula, you should consult your paediatrician before introducing common allergens.

If you believe an allergic reaction is occurring, you should dial 000 immediately as it has the potential to be a life-threatening emergency. Do not get in your own car and drive.

A note on choking

Certain foods have a reputation for being easy to choke on, like cherry tomatoes and grapes and it is imperative that these foods are cut when they are introduced to you child once they are well in to their solid foods. However, ANY food is a choking risk which is why it is always important to supervise baby when eating.

True choking is silent. It is recommended you familiarise yourself with infant first aid with a reputable trainer to ensure you’re ready to jump to action should your baby need it. 

Tips for success

As you navigate this new journey of solids, here are a few tips to help you:

• Eat together
• Use a soft spoon to protect baby’s gums and teeth
• Try foods multiple times
• Let baby play with her food
• Offer a wide variety of foods
• Model good eating
• Eat naked or in just a nappy so there is less washing!
• Keep a list of what you offered and when to track any reactions or allergies

Photo credit: @my.little.cutie.pies on Instagram

How did you approach your first time baby feeding? Let us know below in the comments.

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Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Amy Morrison AKA @loveamymorrison. Born in Adelaide, currently reside in Canberra. Married with two daughters. Run an online skincare business.

What were you like as a kid?

I was a performer as a kid. Always dancing and singing and seeking people’s attention… Actually I’m not sure much has changed since then LOL

Are there any particular traits that you see in your children that are totally you, or your partner?

My eldest looks like my husband, but behaves totally like me. Cautious, and always striving for perfection. The youngest on the other hand is me looks wise, and totally hubby personality wise. Carefree and willing to give anything a go!

What advice do you wish you could give your OLD self about parenthood, before you had children?

Relax and learn to go with the flow. Give yourself a break. Just give the kids love and the rest will work out. Don’t judge others when their choices are different to yours. Everyone’s hard, is hard.

What are your main challenge/s with children when it comes to meal times?

Typical fussy eaters, but not too bad thankfully! Trying to get veggies into their meals is tricky so we get creative. The grater is our best friend.

What's your favourite recipe/mix to make icy poles/ice creams using our Frosties?

We love mixing fruit into yogurt to freeze in the Frosties! Nice and easy and always a hit.

What's your go-to mid week meal when life gets hectic?

Creamy Pesto Pasta is always a hit with the kids, and is nice and easy to make. We also manage to hide baby spinach in their too so it’s a winner from all fronts.

What are some of your favourite local brands that you think all mamas need to know about?

Ohhhhhh where do I start?! I LOVE Instagram and all of the special brands and people I’ve met on the platform. And knowing I’m supporting small businesses with my purchases makes it all the more special.

How can we best connect with you?

Connect via www.instagram.com/loveamymorrison or www.facebook.com/loveamymorrison

I'm all about SHARING THE LOVE at We Might Be Tiny, so over the next few weeks, we are going to share ALL THE LOVE with our community favourites: long time friends, followers and fans of We Might Be Tiny.

This week? We have featured Rosie from @ohmywildhearts (formerly @alongcamefox). 

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Can you tell me a little about yourself?

My name is Rosie Harris and I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am married to a lovely guy called Richie and together with our three kiddies (Mia 13, Eli 14 and Fox 2.5) we live in beautiful Canberra. My day job is as an Executive Assistant and I love it but my passion is photography, supporting small and sharing our daily life on Instagram through my account @ohmywildhearts.

What were you like as a kid?

I am the oldest of three girls and was (still can be) pretty bossy as a child. I have always had a pretty addictive personality, I remember as a kid spending hours cutting out letters and pictures from magazines and then categorising them in little envelopes. I forget why to be honest, if there even was a reason. I could never really just be. I always had to be doing a few things at once and would usually draw or something while the tv was on. I went through a stage of wanting to be a fashion designed haha.

Are there any particular traits that you see in your children that are totally you, or your partner?

My kiddies are all very different but little things like the way my daughter sucks her bottom lip in when thinking (all her father), my middle son questioning everything (all Richard) and Fox well he is just a daredevil (again from Richard). Mia probably looks the most like me though and is an organiser like me too.

What advice do you wish you could give your OLD self about parenthood, before you had children?

Oh goodness. I was only 18 when I had my first child so had no idea what I was doing (I still don't really) but my biggest advice is not to sweat the small stuff. Kids are tough. Tomorrow is a new day and no one has this motherhood gig down to a fine art really.

What are your main challenge/s with children when it comes to meal times?

Mia is my fussiest eater and has been since she was about 2. She is getting better though luckily because Richard and I really butt heads over how to tackle the issue. They are all very different eating wise, Mia loves raw carrot whereas Eli prefers it cooked. Mia isn't a big meat eater but Fox devours anything you put in front of him. I think the key is remembering that each child is different and you have to adjust your style of parenting to suit that.

What's your favourite recipe/mix to make icy poles/ice creams using our Frosties?

Oooh now we are talking – we LOVE making our own ice creams in your sweet moulds. I usually just blend together banana, some milk, a little honey and some cinnamon to make easy banana ice creams. Then I will add in some berries for texture in the moulds.

Any left over smoothie tastes great though and a Moscato or Rosè icy pole for mama isn't unheard of in our house.

What's your go-to mid week meal when life gets hectic?

Richard actually does most of the cooking in our home (super lucky I know) and his go to is spaghetti bolognese packed with grated carrot and zucchini. It is great because it can be made in bulk and used as a back up on those days no one feels like cooking.

What are some of your favourite local brands that you think all mamas need to know about?

I have so many favourite Australian brands but a few that spring to mind are @modernmonty for lovely wooden / silicone teethers and amazing learning resources for kiddies, @kisschaseydesigns for rad handmade clothing for littles and @goodnessmebox is my fave healthy subscription box plus they have released a kids box with is amazing!

How can we best connect with you?

I have a few ways - you can follow me on Instagram @ohmywildhearts, email me at ohmywildhearts@gmail.com or visit my blog www.ohmywildhearts.com.au

With a little bit of planning, school holidays can be an amazing time full of creative fun that will become treasured memories for all of you.

Read more

I'm all about SHARING THE LOVE at We Might Be Tiny, so over the next few weeks, we are going to share ALL THE LOVE with our community favourites: long time friends, followers and fans of We Might Be Tiny.

This week? We have featured Brooke from @shebesorted. Personally, I love how generous this mama is with her content. She shares family recipes, her weekly meal plan, organisation tips and just brilliant unique ideas to help you get your family and life in order. 

Plus not to mention, tomorrow marks her 1st Insta birthday!

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Featuring Brooke from @shebesorted

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

My name is Brooke I was born in Perth and we moved to Melbourne as a family when I started high school.

I got married in Bali to James and we have two boys, Baxter (5) and Wilbur (2). I spend my days chasing after them at home and blogging on Instagram!

What were you like as a kid?

As a kid I was always talking! Some would still call me a chatterbox I think.

Are there any particular traits that you see in your children that are totally you, or your partner?

Baxter likes to be organised and does not stop talking - so much more me (my husband is pretty quiet!).

Wilbur is a total wild child - maybe a bit of me in there too?!

What advice do you wish you could give your OLD self about parenthood, before you had children?

Being a stay at home mum isn’t all lunching and lattes. 

What are your main challenge/s with children when it comes to meal times?

Both are easy eaters so we are very lucky. But sometimes it can feel like it takes Baxter FOREVER for him to finish his dinner because he talks so much. Wilbur just makes a huge mess!

What's your favourite recipe/mix to make icy poles/ice creams using our Frosties?

Blitzed watermelon or frozen flavoured yoghurt.

What's your go-to mid week meal when life gets hectic?

Apricot chicken is a winner with the boys every single time. Otherwise cowboy casserole, pasta bake or crispy chicken wraps. [Recipes all available on my Instagram page!]

What are some of your favourite local brands that you think all mamas need to know about?

We Might Be Tiny of course!

Jem Creative have cute prints (and her Insta stories are pretty entertaining too!) and The Label Store make the most gorgeous custom labels.

How can we best connect with you?

Instagram @shebesorted

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Do you consider yourself a friend of We Might Be Tiny, and want to be featured? Comment below to get in touch!

Do you sometimes feel like it can be such a fight every meal time to get your kids sitting at the table, and staying there long enough to actually eat?

You’re not alone! Toddlers and pre-schoolers are notorious for being distracted or disagreeable at the dining table. Today we’re bringing you some tips to help survive the battlefield at dinnertime.

Have set meal times

Serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time each day will go a long way to starting the process of teaching your kids to stay at the table. In between meals, offer a morning and afternoon tea around the same time as well, and try not to give in to requests or demands for additional snacks and risk them filling up before their next meal.

Sit down together to eat

Do you serve your child and then step away to do other things? Why not sit with your child at mealtimes so they have some company? Even if you have multiple kids who eat together, sitting down with them is a great way to lead by example.

It’s also helpful to come to the table prepared for the meal – try to have all the drinks, cutlery, condiments, etc, that you need for the meal ready on the table when you all sit down together. Minimising the times you need to get up from the table will help your children learn that they, too, are expected to remain at the table for the entirety of the meal.

Visit the bathroom before meals

Of course it’s good hygiene to have your children wash their hands before eating, but encouraging them to use the toilet and then washing their hands will minimise one reason (or excuse!) they can call on for leaving the table mid-meal.

Make sure your child is comfortable

And by this, we literally mean that their seat is comfortable! If it’s too hard, too soft, too high, too low, too far away or too close, it will only be harder for your child to remain sitting nicely at meal time.

Keep meal times limited to around 20 – 30 minutes

Set the minimum expectation for how long your child, and the family, remain at the table. Even if you need to build up to this over a few days, it’s good practice. On the flip side, don’t drag meal times out too long – cajoling your child to keep eating for a long time isn’t a great habit to fall into, either.

Instead, at your chosen end time for the meal, clear the plates away. If your child comes looking for food, remind them that the time for dinner (or lunch, etc) has passed. This way, you can help your child learn that meal times are for eating, and that they need to sit at the table and eat during that meal time or risk missing out. (As an aside, this is also great practice for school, when break times are fixed and marked by the bell!)

Use cues to help build your meal time routine

Turn off the TV, have your child visit the bathroom, get them to set the table. Just a few ways that you can cue to your child that meal time is approaching, and they need to be ready to sit at the table and remain there. Turning off the TV has the bonus of minimising distraction and promoting conversation and connection with your child or family at meal times.

Let your child have a sensory activity at the table

On the flip-side to minimising distractions at the table, why not consider giving your child something small at the table to give them something to fidget with. A small toy truck or similar, a special book, something small that your child can use to expend excess energy, or focus their attention during meal time.

You can keep this toy specific to meal times and not have it available during other times to help keep the interest of your child. Be sure to maintain hygiene and wash any toys from the dinner table, since little children are likely to get food or saliva on them.

Get your child involved in the preparation

Have your child set the table. Invite them to crack the egg, or mash the potatoes. Older children can be put in charge of pouring drinks for everyone. Small tasks suitable to your child’s age can help them feel involved in the meal, and it’s a well known fact amongst children that the mashed potatoes they made themselves are always tastier!

Be consistent

Once you’ve decided your new meal time structure, remain consistent and calm with your child. It may take some days – possibly even weeks – to help your child learn to break the habits of not staying at the table. If you persist, you will see improvement.

Happy meal time!

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Cooking with kids is a fun way to connect and spend time together plus it has so many benefits for their growing bodies and minds – they learn where food comes from, how to safely navigate a kitchen, it encourages picky eaters to interact with new foods, and includes fantastic incidental lessons in English (recipe reading) and maths (measuring), the list goes on.

Plus, it’s delicious, which is reason enough!

Before you start, it’s a good idea to make sure you have all ingredients ready, and get everyone to wash their hands (and there’s another lesson in hygiene, right there).

Here are some great recipes to get you and your kids cooking up a storm.

Fruit kebabs

Despite a table full of sugary treats, at every birthday party you’ll see the fruit kebabs get gobbled up first! There is just something so enticing about those edible rainbows that makes kids go straight to them. It’s also a perfect beginner recipe for getting kids in the kitchen! Provide a range of colourful fruits for kids to thread on to bamboo skewers or reusable bento picks. If you’re feeling fancy, you could cut the fruit in to shapes using cookie cutters. Encourage your child to make patterns based on shape, colour and texture.

Mini pizzas

Kidgredients

Pizzas are nice, easy recipe to start with. If you’re not in the mood to make dough, English muffins work really well and will cut down your prep time drastically. If you have older children who can safely use a knife then get them cutting up the veggies and placing them in bowls to create a Make Your Own Pizza Station. Smaller kids can then take their dough or muffin and load it up with all the ingredients they like before Mum or Dad place it in the oven.

Crunchy apple boats

Childhood 101

These adorable apple boats would make a great afternoon tea treat. Those rice cereal pieces can get everywhere if you sprinkle them over the top, but if you place your rice cereal in a bowl and dip the apple in it there will be less chance of it going everywhere. Dress up as pirates, sit in a box on a blue towel ocean, pop on a pirate movie and voila, you’ve got a themed afternoon that they’ll talk about for ages

Cheesy puff pastry stars

My Fussy Eater

No star cutter? No worries! These three ingredient cheesy pastry bites can be made in any shape you like.

Choose dinosaurs or trucks, hearts or elephants – you could even use letter cutters and spell their name. Pressing the shapes out and then painting the gooey egg wash on with a pastry brush is fabulous way to practise those fine motor skills, too!

Chocolate mug pudding

Picklebums

When you’ve just cleaned the kitchen and don’t fancy using sixteen bowls to make a cake with the kids, but you want to cook something, mug cake is your answer!

These single serve desserts are a fabulous, low mess alternative to a giant cake, and because they only use one mug for both mixing and cooking, clean up is a breeze.

As they’re individual, each child can also add extras that only they like – the recipe suggests choc chips or raspberries, but get creative and have them cut up their favourite chocolate bar! Melty Mars Bar pieces, yes please!

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Summer is in full swing and that means it is the perfect time to grab a blanket and a hat, and head to the park for a picnic. We’ve put together a list of five things that will take your picnic from humdrum to huzzah.

Set A Theme

Teddy Bear’s Picnic, anyone? There is something magical about bringing Ted to the park for a picnic and having a play on the swing with him. Magical memories will be made, especially if you bring an extra plate and cup so he can join in, too. Not in to soft toys? No problem. Have a “Pit Stop Picnic” and bring some cars or trucks. Make sure you race them down the slides and seesaws for extra fun.

Gourmet Grazing

Picnics don’t have to be plain. Put together a platter filled with sushi, meatballs, colourful fruit, vegetables sticks, dip, cheese, and crackers. It’s not just adults who eat with their eyes, the kids will not be able to resist such a beautifully presented lunch. If your kids are of the Vegemite sandwich loving variety then a few lunch punches or cookie cutters can instantly turn your boring bread in to a delicious delight.

Scavenger Hunt

The park is full of nature’s treasure! Turn a simple picnic in to an educational activity by creating a Scavenger Hunt for your kids. On a sheet of paper write down some of the treasures you might find in a park like sticks, stones, feathers, seed pods, and flowers. Personalise the game to suit the needs of your family: draw pictures for pre-readers, add a counting element (find four rocks) for little ones who are starting with numbers, or even have a tween/teen take photos of all the items on their list instead of ticking them off.

The Resourceful Mama has a selection of free scavenger hunt printables, or ask the kids to make one for each other using the prompts such as “Three things that start with B” at Picklebums.

Collage Collectables

Since you’re already hunting for the treasures, why not collect a few in a basket to take home and create some nature artwork. Get a sheet of cardboard and some glue and ask them create a pattern or picture out of all the wonderful treasures they have collected. If you’re feeling super arty grab some air dry clay and help them create marvellous monsters with honky nut eyes and feathered arms, or find an empty tissue box and create a gorgeous animal habitat or fairy house.

The Floor Is Lava

So, the only place to go for a picnic is the local park that you’ve been to 300 times and the kids are a bit bored of it? Then consider using the space in a new way. Play a game of The Floor Is Lava and see who can get from one end of the playground to the other without touching the floor. When they’ve successfully navigated it a few times start adding in obstacles (the slide is lava, too!), or create your own Ninja Warrior course and time the kids to complete it; if you’re trying to avoid win/lose games have a different course for each child so they are only racing the clock.

Photo credit: Images 2 & 4: Justin & Jim Photographers on behalf of Toots and Co; Images 1 & 3: Leah Ladson Photography

Baby bag by Toots and Co; picnic set up by Betty May Vintage Hire.

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New in-store: Snackies and grip cups now available in popular charcoal. These are a limited release only, so once they're gone, they're gone!

Shop our range of Charcoal tableware now. For all the monochrome lovers out there.

Got to love a good ol' review. And when it's from the other side of the world - Dutch blogger The Things we Like - it's a massive bonus ❤️

"We Might Be Tiny. The name alone. This Australian brand conquered the world with beautiful and responsible stuff to snack, to make ice creams and placemats to mess up! Durable and in cheerful colors."

Read more at The Things We Like [turn on Google Translate to read in English].