When a little one enters the family home, it might seem easier to feed the baby before the rest of the family for organizational reasons. Whether following a baby-led weaning BLW approach or traditional weaning, it's important to eat at the same time as the baby.
Sharing a moment with the family
Feeding your baby at the same time as everyone else allows them to discover the pleasant moments shared as a family around a good, homemade meal . Gathering around the table after a lovely day is a unique opportunity to experience convivial moments , laughter , sharing , and above all, quality time . It would be a shame not to let your baby experience these precious moments as soon as possible. Ultimately, it's one of life's simple pleasures that we cherish every day.
Even if eating together as a family isn't always easy, make sure your little one enjoys quality time with everyone. You can also extend this family time by lunch or a snack together
Photo: © Lune et l'autre
Passing on good eating habits through imitation
Good eating habits are passed on at mealtimes . By inviting your baby to share a meal with you, you can easily offer them a rich and varied diet . Seeing everyone eating foods from the five food groups will encourage your baby to do the same and enjoy their lovingly prepared plate. But that's not all. Your little one will also be more receptive to discovering new foods since the whole family will be eating the same thing. This will help develop your baby's palate.
Mimicry plays a significant role in transmitting good eating habits. Therefore, now is the perfect time to rebalance the whole family's diet to ensure everyone enjoys a rich and varied diet.
Demonstrate good table manners
When you share a meal with your baby , it's not just good eating habits that are passed on. Indeed, at mealtimes, your baby is very attentive not only to their plate but also to everything happening around them . They will observe the behavior of each family member at the table . Unconsciously, you will be teaching your baby the proper etiquette for eating while seated at the table, such as using small spoons and a wide mouth, drinking water, and so on. But that's not all; your baby will also try to imitate your actions, which will help them learn how to use cutlery independently .
Don't miss an opportunity to spend quality time together. Even if your baby has already eaten, they can still share a lovely family moment simply by sitting at the table with you.
