6 ways to get your baby to eat new foods

Is it time your baby started with other foods apart from breastmilk? And are you confused how to start? You spent so much time and energy discovering ways and timings to feed your baby and once it’s time to stop, it leaves you puzzled. You have to restart the process of feeding your baby and get them used to it. The whole cycle changes – from food and timings to likes and dislikes.

We know how strenuous this new phase can be, so we have to you ways in which you could introduce new foods to your child.

1. No distractions

If you’re trying to feed your baby new foods, you have to make sure they aren’t distracted by anything that might get their interest. For example, if you’re trying to get your baby to like mashed potatoes, switch off the TV or the stereo. This sets your baby’s attention on the mashed potatoes. It might take a few sessions, but in time, this method is sure to work, as your baby will get hungry and understand that it’s time for food.

2. A little bit of play

This method is as popular as it is successful. We’re pretty sure your baby is a huge fan of either logo or the Nickelodeon channel by now and enjoys all the animal shows you make them watch while you finish your chores simultaneously. So, all you have to do is get those animal shaped moulds you get in the market and make your foods look like actual animals. Get your baby to have a good look at the platter to excite them about their food. He/she will be intrigued and the trick will work.

3. Bribe them

This one’s a little clever. Hide all their toys for a while (we know it’s a little harsh) until they start looking for them eagerly. Now, in the meanwhile, get the dish you want to feed her and place it before all the toys. Start feeding it to him/her slowly and the moment he/she throws any tantrums, show her the toys and tell him/her that he/she will only get them once he/she finishes the food. If your baby doesn’t like the food, we suggest you don’t push it any further and try the same game the next day with a different dish. Trust us, it will work.

4. Fancy plating

This one’s a little tedious, but also fun. Make 2-3 dishes together (the simplest ones – tomato and rice puree or curd rice) and serve them in colourful bowls on a bed table. Make your baby sits up and looks at all the dishes together. Let her dip those little fingers in each and get an idea of the taste (make sure the dishes aren’t too hot), and observe if she likes them. This also helps to develop certain tastes.

5. Make space for curiosity

This is something both you and your husband can do together. Just place the food in front of her and start feeding your husband. Get your husband to involve a little theatrics and act like he’s enjoying the food immensely. Try this a couple of times and then feed a morsel to the baby. We bet he/she will grab a bit due to curiosity.

6. Be bold and experiment

In case you’re starting with fruit juices or another liquid form of foods, start with switching your baby’s milk bottles with the ones you fill with juices and see how they respond to it. You can also mix a little bit of cereal in breastmilk and see how that works. Keep trying until you succeed and we’re sure your baby will have his/her favourite foods in no time.

Please note that in case your baby is showing signs of allergies to a particular food, you must never repeat the food unless you take them to a paediatrician. Make sure you feed him/her all the foods individually to check for allergies before mixing them up.

All the best, parents!