PARENTS URGED TO GIVE MORE TIME TO FINGER FOOD SNACKS
When i was contacted by Kiddylicious about sharing the idea of giving children more snacks and letting your baby play with food i was all for sharing the info. When Bodhi was around six months old we started to baby led ween him and i tried to give him as long s he wanted when eating, no one likes to be rushed while they are eating.
The nation’s parents are advised to give babies more time to play with finger food snacks, as research reveals many do not understand the developmental benefits
* Almost half (49%) of British parents with babies’ view snacking as a negative eating habit
* Over one third (36%) of British parents who admit to snacking throughout the day, do not allow their baby to eat finger foods in between meals
According to new research by infant food company, Kiddylicious, almost half of parents (49%) with babies and toddlers view snacking as a negative food habit, despite it being vital in the early stages of sensory and physiological development of babies. Adding to the confusion, over one third (36%) of the nation’s parents who admit to enjoying snacks in between meals themselves, do not allow for their baby or toddler to do so.
With this in mind, baby food producer Kiddylicious has joined forces with child expert Dr. Jacqueline Harding, to examine what is actually going on #insidebabysbrain at this important stage of baby development. And, in a bid to shift the negative stigma attached to finger food play in babies, have produced a downloadable educational guide and a feature film to show parents how snacks play a significant role in achieving some of the sensory and physiological developmental milestones around 6-8 months of age. As showcased in the educational guide, this can include:
* Improved head and neck control – this can help babies to safely swallow foods
* Improved tongue control – this can help babies learn how to chew, swallow and move foods from side to side in their mouth
* Jaw movement – enabling babies to suck, bite and munch on foods, even without teeth
* Taste-bud development – allowing them to recognise which flavours they like and dislike (essential for exploration and food acceptance)
* Hand-eye co-ordination – helping them to learn how to self-feed
* Practice using all the mouth, lip and jaw muscles – helps oral development and speech
Many people do not realise that the nutrition your baby receives during the first 1,000 days of life (from conception to two years of age) can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing throughout their life. Introducing finger food snacks can play an essential role in this developmental milestone for babies.
Kiddylicious website: www.kiddylicious.com where you can find out loads more information via the snack stepping stones and find out the huge range of snacks that Kiddylicious stock the smoothie melts are by far Bodhi's favs
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