Feeding Baby After Work

When it comes time to weaning your baby the whole process can be quite daunting. Throw in the fact of having to go back to work at the same time and it suddenly feels like someone has asked you to compete in a 20km uphill endurance run. Not very appealing.

A few tricks to help keep you on top of the weaning process can be all it takes to help maintain the stress levels.

There is nothing worse then walking in the door with a screaming baby on your hip and you still have no idea what you’re planning to cook for your hungry baby. Save yourself the stress and set 30 minutes aside each week to write a menu for your baby. Planning your babies’ meals allows you to put thought into the food you are feeding your baby. Your baby needs variety and nutrition and sitting down to map out their meals is a good way to ensure they get both.
Have a few cookbooks on hand. Going back to work means our brains are now juggling work related matters with baby related matters and often when it comes to mealtime we can get stuck for ideas. The Baby Led Weaning Cookbook provides a great range of meals for baby and toddler that the whole family can enjoy. If you don’t want to spend any money on cookbooks take a trip to your local library and see what they have available. That way you can write down the ones that work for you and start your own little collection of recipes.
Have back ups! Put aside a few hours on the weekend to cook a few meals for your baby and double the quantity. Freeze small portions that are ready to go for those days where you are caught of guard, which, lets face it, is bound to happen.
Fritters and savoury muffins are great on the go meals for your baby. Again, you can make these on the weekend and keep a stock in the freezer ready to go.
From the moment my daughters started on solids I have involved them in the cooking process. I talk to them about the ingredients we are cooking with and they love it. It may seem unrealistic to involve a 6 month old in cooking, but children who are involved in the cooking process are generally more likely to eat the foods. My eldest daughter is 3 ½ and she can name most of the ingredients in our kitchen, and crack an egg all on her own. Remember the early days of weaning are laying the foundations for what type of eater your want your child to be.
Write your baby’s schedule down and have a few copies available. That way if you ever have to step out in a rush you know that it’s all there ready for someone else to follow.
Just because your child doesn’t eat a food the first time doesn’t mean they don’t like it. Just like us, their tastes can change and something they don’t feel like one day they can devour the next day. Research has shown that it can take a child up to 10 times of trying a new food before they actually like it. So be persistent.
We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day and if you know that is the only meal that you are going to have with your baby then try waking up 10 minutes earlier to enjoy the time with them before you go to work. It is a good way to start the day for you and your baby.
Equipment is important but there is no need to get carried away. If you are doing purees all you really need is a bib, spoon and a bowl. Baby led weaning is famously messy, but if you are happy to clean up the mess than I wouldn’t even recommend a mess mat. Buy a bulk pack of cheap washers or old-school cloth nappies and put them aside to clean the table and floor after your baby has finished eating. Soak, wash, reuse. I find cleaning the floor is much quicker and easier than washing off a mess mat.
As hectic as it can be juggling parenting life and work life, ensure meals are not rushed. It can be easy to view mealtime as another chore to tick off for the day, but try not to get caught in that trap. Sit with your baby, talk to them, tell them what foods they are eating. Mealtime with your baby can become one of the best quality moments of your day.
Don’t stress. There will be days where cooking just seems so unappealing. I have been there. Scrambled eggs with baked beans for dinner is OK sometimes, and is much better for your baby than any fast food options.

Author:

Kirilee Furlong runs her own business and works as Freelance Writer on the side. She is trained in Early Childhood and has an interest in health & wellness and nutrition. She is a mum of two beautiful girls aged 3 and under who are responsible for keeping her creative side alive.