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Feeding babies and toddlers can be tricky. You are constantly trying to introduce them to new foods. Some are hits while others are misses.
It is easy to get stuck in a rut and need inspiration.
This is an example of what my ten month old ‘H’ eats in a day. I am not suggesting you follow my schedule nor use my food as nutritional advice. I am just here to show you this is what I am doing and what works for us.
H is currently struggling with dairy and egg allergies so we have to work all of her meals around those restrictions. If you have suspicions your baby has allergies click to read How to Figure Out if My Baby has Allergies.
She is also starting to get more personality and with that comes opinions on what she will and will not eat.
I am not a nutritionist. I am not an expert. I am just a mom trying to safely introduce new foods to my child with allergies. Her meals are not always perfectly balanced. I am constantly learning how to make them better.
It is hard though. You want them to get a variety and try new things, but it is easy to find yourself wasting food. A dab of peas one day, some beans the next, and before you know it stuff starts to go bad.
I am constantly looking for ways to keep produce longer. So far I find storing certain foods with a paper towel can help absorb moisture and help them last longer.
Another strategy we use with introducing foods to H is the order of presenting foods. I typically start with a vegetable because that is what we are struggling most with. Then after a little bit of time adding her main protein or carb to her eating area. She may get one more random item that goes with our meal such as rice, or we add a puree. The meal ends with fruit. She currently loves fruit, especially berries so basically that’s her dessert.
H is also still nursing about 5 times a day. Here is an example day with H.
7:30 am – Nurse #1
8:30/9 am – Breakfast
Buttered toast
Peas
Mandarin oranges
Today she ate her full piece of toast. We are testing out a plant-based butter and she seems to have responded well to it. The peas were a complete no-go. She used to love them! Once I gave up on the peas she finished up with the mandarin oranges. She ate about 6 slices cut up into thirds.
Just because peas were not a hit today does not mean I will stop offering them. You never know what day they may decide to give a food another chance.
10:30 am – Nurse #2
Nap
12 pm – Lunch
Deli meat chicken (1 full piece cut up into bite-sized pieces)
Blackberries (about 7 cut up)
For lunch, today H had a full piece of deli meat. I would like to mention we do not currently purchase the deli meat from the actual deli. Because they slice cheese in the same area so there are concerns for cross-contamination. We purchase the prepackaged meat for H. She is currently loving deli meat.
Blackberries were demolished. No problem there.
2:30 pm – Snack
Sweet potato pancake (1 pancake cut up into bite-sized pieces)
Grapes (about 5 cut up)
H ate her entire snack. Sometimes it is easier to just give her foods she will like. If I gave her peas they would have been squished into a mess. Instead, I went with very clean foods that I know she likes. At a friend’s house or a restaurant, this would be an ideal snack or part of a meal. It is easy to prep and very tidy to clean up.
3:30 pm – Nurse #3
Nap
5:30 pm – Nurse #4
6 pm – Dinner
Pulled pork
Vegan shredded cheese
Sweet potatoes and applesauce puree (about 1.5 tablespoons)
Raspberries (about 7)
H was not really feeling this meal, which is totally fine! The plain pulled pork was not happening even though she typically loves meat. The vegan cheese was a new thing to try. She just didn’t know what to do with it. Next time we will make it into a quesadilla.
Her puree went over ok and then to make sure she ate something we finished up with the raspberries. She loves them right now.
7:30 pm – Nurse #5
7:45 pm – Bedtime
If you want to learn more about our bedtime routine it is included in my post about a Daily Schedule for a 10-Month-Old: A Comedy of Chaos and How to Survive It.
Water Cup
Along with her meals and snacks, H is offered water. We currently use a sippy cup with handles on the sides. We don’t let her keep the cup the entire meal because it can be distracting. It is offered periodically.
The cup has been a struggle at times for us. H is breastfed and has had a bottle less than ten times. The cup was very foreign to her. She took a while to understand holding it herself and is continuing to work on it.
We tested a 360 cup, a straw water bottle, and a sippy cup that has a rubber nipple-like top. The third option has worked the best so far.
Cups are a challenge though! Am I the only one thinking this?!
If you fill them too full they can’t tip them up. If they are too empty it takes too long for the water to get to them.
We are also giving H opportunities to practice using an open cup. We give her a tiny amount of water in a stainless steel condiment cup we have. It is tiny for her little hands to fit around.
She is getting better and better every time!
Making Progress with Food
Don’t expect too much out of your child. The more you expect the more frustration you will have. Follow your child’s lead to a certain point.
I say to a certain point because you can’t just let them eat a case of blueberries for dinner. That will give them a stomach ache.
Use them as the guide to know if they need more or less food.
They will tell you when they are full. It could be they get the wiggles or start throwing food. Pay attention to the pace at which they are eating and the interest they are showing in their food.
If they are not eating certain foods don’t stress about it. Continue to offer them from time to time, but don’t force it on them. Did your parents forcing you to eat green beans make you magically love green beans? I doubt it.
Continue finding inspiration for your child’s plate. Have fun with making food into various shapes. Cut it up in a fun way. Try to hit every color of the rainbow in a day. Save or write down meal and snack ideas for when you are getting stuck.
Have fresh food on hand but also consider keeping backup food in the pantry such as canned fruit or veggies. I know this isn’t ideal, but not everyone can make it to the store often enough to keep up with their little one’s appetite.
Do your best momma! It can be a struggle, but you will find your way.
Comment down below an easy meal for a ten month old. We could all use some inspiration!
Check Out My Articles
Everything You Need to Know About Introducing Solid Food to Your Baby
Daily Schedule for a 10-Month-Old: A Comedy of Chaos and How to Survive It
Simple and Delicious Meal and Snack Ideas for Your 12-Month-Old