Messy Mealtimes: Why they are important and how to cope!

Did you know that eating is one of the few activities in life that requires every one of our senses?    That’s the reason eating new food can be very overwhelming for both children and adults alike.

Usually when we try a new food, we:

• look at it;
• smell it;
• touch it
• taste a small amount with the tip of our tongue.

At any age, when your child is being introduced to a different food, sensory food exploration is critical. It is known to increase their acceptance of food. This is why messy eating is so important.

According to research, there are many other benefits of messy eating.  Messy eating can also assist:

• Independence/self-feeding skills;
• Fine motor skills (e.g. finger skills such as pinching) and
• Language development.

We know the clean-up can be exhausting.  Here are some tips to help:

1) Use a drop mat

Under the high chair place down material, tarp, and table cloth to catch all the drips.  Choose something that you can shake outside and hose down.

2) Use a coverall bib, scooped bib, or no clothes at all

A coverall bib saves your baby’s jumpers from the wash, a scoop bib can save their pants (plus the bonus of catching the food before it hits the floor- a second meal! ) and no clothes at all provides an extra sensory experience.

3) Use washcloths

Have a few washcloths on hand and use one at the end of the meal, as children can find someone wiping them during the meal to be irritating.  If your child becomes upset while being wiped clean, be sure to remove them from the highchair prior to wiping.  This way they don’t form a negative association with meals and wiping. Some children prefer to wipe their own face. Washcloths are preferable to wipes for your baby’s skin and they are more environmentally friendly.

4) Ensure a relaxed environment

Children can pick up on your vibe, so try to stay positive.  For example, rather than saying ‘Don’t throw your food’, try saying ‘We keep food on the table’.

You don’t have to engage in messy eating at every meal.  If you need to run out the door with a clean child, save the messy meal to another time.  This will be less stressful for you and your child!  If you really can’t handle any mess, start small or enlist another family member to help.

Most importantly- have fun!  A happy mealtime is a successful mealtime!