IT’S ALWAYS MESSY AT THE BEGINNING

So small and already another milestone! Babies face new tasks every day. Between the sixth and seventh month of life their task is this: eat for the fi­rst time from a spoon. A few months later, it’s all about getting the spoon into their mouth by themselves. A few tips and the right products make learning to eat as easy as pie.

 From the breast to the spoon
For the first few months, sucking was enough to satisfy your baby, but now the lips and tongue have something new to learn. A spoon with a very soft silicone tip, such as the NUK Rest Easy Spoon, is best suited for introducing solids. When the first little teeth then begin to work on the spoon, it’s time to change to a more rigid feeding spoon. A general rule when introducing solids: patience! Many babies manage only a few little spoonsful; others refuse the first puree completely. Just wait a few days before trying again.

From top to bottom
You will quickly notice that the first puree is soon everywhere – not only in your baby’s mouth. However, it’s not just a bib and a change of clothes, but also a clever feeding bowl that can help against the lavish distribution of the puree: the NUK No-mess Bowl has a suction cup on its base and cannot be thrown off the table so easily. The first attempts at eating alone with a spoon should be made with small cutlery, specifically for young children, such as the NUK Training Cutlery. The ergonomically shaped, anti-slip handles stay safely in little hands – that is if they are not taking part in some flying practice.

Do-it-yourself
Children learn quickly and love it when they can apply what they have just learnt. Let them try it out as much as possible and set a good example when using cutlery. From about 18 months, “real” cutlery can come into use. The NUK Big Kid Set includes a spoon, fork and knife that combine anti-slip plastic handles with high-quality steel. With rounded edges and prongs for safety of course. Together with the NUK Plate with its extra-high sides and anti-slip bottom so that it stands safely on the table, your child can quickly become an independent eater. However, you shouldn’t give up on the bib quite yet …

And what about drinking?
Learning to drink is also a great challenge for children: to go from sucking to drinking from the rim of a cup, they have to learn correctly. To do this, there are NUK Learner Bottles and Cups which help children a step at a time and which, thanks to leak proof valves, help prevent the odd flood or two.
For further information and to download your free copy of Nutrition Tips and recipes – Enjoy your meal, baby, go to www.nuk.net.nz.
NUK is available at all leading baby stores, pharmacies and online.