Hands up if you’ve ever struggled to make snacks for a picky eater? Trust us, you’re not alone in your struggles! Picky eating is just a natural part of growing up for our toddlers. They’re experimenting with all those tastes, textures and smells, as well as learning how to chew and digest all that yummy food.
The parents at Team Happity have come up with some healthy (and cheap) snacks you can prep for your picky toddler. And if you end up munching them yourselves, you know you’ll benefit too (without breaking the bank).
Firstly, What Causes Picky Eating In Toddlers?
It’s often just a phase, as your toddler learns what foods they like (and dislike). One week they hate bananas; another week they love them. Or perhaps they’re always a bit sensitive to new things in their environment, so they stick to ‘safe’ foods they know they can eat and enjoy. Sometimes it can be they’re tired, or hangry, or just a bit overwhelmed by something that has happened that day. What goes into their mouths and tummies is an easy thing for them to feel they have control over.
There are so many websites out there and experts offering advice, it can cause more stress for us parents! Perhaps the best advice we’ve heard is try to stay relaxed when offering food. There’s never a ‘one size fits all’ approach for any individual child or family.
With that said, let’s jump into our list.
1. Raw Carrot / Cucumber / Pepper sticks
A great one for kids who love ‘crunchy’ food. You can prep them as batons, small bite-size chunks or even use a mini-cookie cutter on the cucumber to create some wacky shapes. If you want to go the extra mile and make a face out of all the raw veggie bits, that’s more fun for you and will look even more appealing for them! With carrots costing around 8p, this is an easy ingredient to keep to hand when you want to grab and go. Add hummus to dip in for extra flavour.
2. Banana Oat Muffins Or Banana Pancakes
There are loads of recipes out there online and in baby weaning books. Make a batch and you can be snacking on these for a few days! Banana oat muffins are such an easy recipe, while Banana pancakes are great for making fresh and then freezing. Pop a couple in your lunchbox or on defrost setting in the toaster and you’re good to go!
Banana pancakes- you can prep these in advance and freeze them. Pop one out in the morning to defrost.
Liz – Marketing Assistant For Team Happity
3. Flapjacks – Snacks For Picky Toddlers
There are tons of ‘healthy’ recipes for flapjacks out there. You can fill them with nuts, seeds, fruit – a winner for protein.
4. Fruit Kebabs
Whatever fruit you have lying around can be prepped – try alternating different colours – banana, strawberry and orange for example. Use bamboo sticks or even straws – something that’s not sharp and is toddler-friendly. Fruit kebabs look so appealing with all those colours together – and most toddlers love eating food off a stick!
5. Rice Cakes With Spread
How about rice cakes with cheese spread or peanut butter? Current research suggests that children aged under five who regularly eat peanut butter are more likely to build up a tolerance as well as it being yummy! Remember to stick with smooth peanut butter for babies and really young children and follow NHS advice for trying it as a new food from 6 months in case of any allergies. Corn cakes are a great alternative to rice cakes and you can even try making your own nut butters.
My daughter loves a rice cake with some sort of spread on it like peanut butter. At the moment, she is really into yoghurt-coated raisins or dried fruits we get from the supermarket. Also cucumber or crackers with hummus. When she was was a smaller toddler and started to want more cake-type things, I used to make banana oat muffins.
Alex- Happity’s Customer Support Expert
6. Storytime Spaghetti
As many toddlers (and parents) know, Peppa Pig just loves eating spaghetti! More of a mini-meal than a snack, spaghetti and cheese can work wonders for those afternoon munchies. If your toddler has a favourite book or TV character, you could name dishes after them – Hungry Caterpillar cracker, anyone? Telling a story about food can be a great way to get toddlers excited about trying it.
7. Smushed-Up Fruit Smoothies
You can get the children involved in this one. If you’ve got a blender, they can help throw the fruit in and see the colours mix together. For little artists out there, you could ask them what colour ‘banana yellow’ and ‘blueberry blue’ might make. And, voila! Rainbow smoothies.
8. Cereal
Not the high-sugar stuff, but think bran flakes or Weetabix. How to make Weetabix more appealing…? Try doing a little science experiment – does the Weetabix float or sink in the milk? How much liquid can it actually absorb like a sponge? Can you ‘rescue’ the Weetabix from the bowl by taking a few mouthfuls? This might be one for those toddlers who like to know how things work! Try adding dried fruits and yoghurt-coated raisins to your cereals if you like. Some parents also swear by overnight oats as being really quick and easy to throw together the night before.
9. Foraged Fruit
If you’re lucky enough to have strawberries growing in your garden or if you’re in an area where wild blackberries grow, why not go fruit picking (for free)? It’s amazing how many strawberries and blackberries can get sneaked out of the bowl, or off the plant, by little ones when they think we’re not looking. Being outdoors is relaxing for so many of us, and it can just take the pressure off eating when it’s a casual (and fun) activity.
10. “The World”
This is a new one for us and a great alternative to beans on toast. Think small ketchup “core”, then scrambled egg around it (the mantle), then cut-up toast to make the outer layer – the crust. Bet this one looks good on a plate!
For a quick meal if not eating together, I’d make “The World”, which was a small ketchup “core”, then scrambled egg, then cut up toast for the outer layer. That was a great winner and different from beans on toast when needing to be super fast!
(Emily- Happity Co-Founder)
Do let us know if you have any more suggestions of what snacks work well for your toddler – or how to make food look appealing so they’ll try it in the first place!
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
That Feeling of guilt, that you can’t even make it to the toilet to vomit cleanly and that your kids have to watch, that you physically can’t get yourself up off the floor to make your kids a sandwich to eat for lunch so you end up giving them a 3rd pack of chips for the morning while they watch their 2nd movie.
Jo, mum of three, shares her story of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, to spread awareness and make others in a similar situation feel less alone. Read on to find out her story.
Trigger Warning: This blog contains themes that may be triggering for others. If you need urgent help, please contact 999. There are also charities that you can call (PANDAS and MumsAid just to list a couple). They specialise in specifically helping parents suffering mentally.
NO. Please NO. It is SO much more than ‘just a bit of morning sickness’. To raise awareness about Hyperemesis Gravidarum, here’s some insight into my recent brush with it.
A Potentially Life-Threatening Pregnancy Disease
HG is debilitating. It is a potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease that can cause malnutrition, dehydration and debility due to severe nausea and vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mum and baby.
HG is cruel in so many ways. It can take away the joy in being pregnant, it takes away from a beautiful pregnancy announcement to friends and family as you reach the second-trimester milestone (I haven’t been able to hide any of my pregnancies beyond 7 weeks yet). It taints the little moments you think you’ll have, like being able to take pleasure in ‘eating for two’ and seeing that little baby bump growing. But mostly, for me at least, it takes away the bond you make with the baby growing in you.
Feelings Of Guilt
In those first weeks, when you are emotionally charged with newfound pregnancy hormones, the vomiting and nausea are unrelenting and you’ve lost so much weight that you worry for your unborn child’s health. It’s easy to find yourself in a dark place mentally, wondering why you are putting your family through this (again).
That Feeling of guilt, that you can’t even make it to the toilet to vomit cleanly and that your kids have to watch, that you physically can’t get yourself up off the floor to make your kids a sandwich to eat for lunch. So you end up giving them a 3rd pack of chips for the morning while they watch their 2nd movie. Feeling guilty that you are not even being a decent mum to the kids you already have.
You end up thinking to yourself, how on earth is it a good idea to even be considering bringing another one into the world? Feeling guilty for not being able to keep it together like so many other people manage to. Ended up in the hospital needing IV fluids and multiple medications but feeling guilty about the time spent away from family. So coming home and vomiting some more even though you really should have stayed in hospital to recover just a little bit more.
It sucks. And it doesn’t necessarily stop when you hit the magical second trimester. If you’re lucky you may get it under control with a concoction of medications and pick yourself up enough to get through with a smile. But the sheer exhaustion takes it toll. Physically. Emotionally.
Spreading Awareness About Hyperemesis Gravidarum
The more people accept that HG is a severe medical condition that should be treated early and without judgment, the better off a woman’s mental and physical health is likely to be. The more people are aware of it, the less likely people are to hear of our symptoms and say “Have you tried ginger?” or “I found that eating regularly helped keep my nausea at bay.” Because, without wanting to sound rude, that’s not helpful. If the 3 different drugs I’m taking from the hospital aren’t helping curb the vomiting, I’m not sure what the heck ginger is supposed to do for me (if I could even keep it down to begin with).
Maybe if medical professionals were taught more about it and ways of managing it I wouldn’t have to hear things like “Well you just need to eat something,” from a nurse treating you in a hospital, when I’m at my most vulnerable.
Support Is A Lifeline
And lastly, support. Be that village for the brave mummas suffering with HG who don’t want to ask for help, because they already feel like they’re failing. Ask how they are and what you can do to help. Or bring round some dinner (for the rest of the family to enjoy).
I’m so lucky that I have some incredible support around me. But I know that there are so many others that are suffering in silence. Let’s create the village it takes to raise these beautiful, tiny humans.
Would You Like To Share YOUR Story?
We’d love to hear from you. This Is Family is all about sharing family stories – especially from families who feel like their voices are not often heard. Every family has a unique story to tell. We’d love to hear yours. Find out how you can feature on our blog and get involved. So that other parents can feel less alone.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Let’s look at some ways of weaning your baby while staying on budget…
When your baby is ready to start solid food for the first time, at around 6 months old, it is an exciting time. (You can also read more of our tips for starting weaning!) However, you may be worried about the cost of buying food, especially as you may not know what sort of foods your baby likes.
How Much Does It Cost To Start Weaning and How Can I Save Money?
There are ways you can save money as you start your weaning journey:
Avoid buying too many gadgets such as special baby food blenders. If you already have a food blender you can use this to blend fruit or vegetables or mash them with a fork or potato masher.
You don’t need to spend too much on special plates, spoons or bibs. Only buy a few bowls and spoons as you will not need too many to begin with.
Frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh ones, and can be quite cost effective.
Choose simple foods that are good and not super expensive, such as cucumbers, breadsticks, supermarket’s own brand Weetabix and other fruit or vegetables that you might be buying anyway. These don’t cost too much and make great first foods.
If you are adding vegetables for your own meal, why not try slicing a few for your baby to try? If you are worried about food waste, you could stick to foods that you know you will use.
Not everything needs to be baby specific, you do not need to buy special baby rice or baby pasta unless you want to. Once cooked properly, babies can eat normal pasta and rice which is usually a lot cheaper, and you may have some in your cupboard already.
There are baby-weaning courses that you can attend, and many of them are free or cheap. See what your local children’s centre or local council offer. Some of these are online as well as in person.
Get cookbooks or recipe books for babies second-hand, (charity shops are great!) or maybe from a friend who does not need them anymore.
Is It Cheaper To Make Baby Food Or Buy It?
Buying baby food such as purees in pouches or jars is convenient, but it can be expensive. It will usually work out cheaper to blend or mash your own purees for your baby. Or make your own finger foods by chopping fruit/ vegetables or other food. If you make a batch of pureed food, this can be frozen and used later. This puree can then be fed to your baby, or used in cooking, such as baking veggie muffins with pureed veg added, this can be tasty!
What’s A Good First Food When Weaning For A Baby On A Budget?
Keep it simple to begin with, chopped or pureed vegetables. Try a single fruit or vegetable at first, such as blended or chopped cooked sweet potato or carrot. You could then try mixing two together. Mixing fruit and veg at the same time can be fun, like blended cooked apples and peas. Supermarket own brand Weetabix with plenty of milk, or cooked rice mashed with milk also make good first foods.
See if your baby enjoys eating puree from a spoon, or when they are ready, let them try and use a spoon themselves. Be prepared for some mess though, as this is part of the fun and helps your baby learn about food texture! (Putting down a mat under their highchair can make it easier to clean) Or offer your baby something they can hold like a stick of cooked carrot. Make sure the food they are getting does not contain artificial sugar, too much salt, or any honey (honey contains bacteria that can be harmful to babies under 1 year old). Also, avoid anything that is hard to chew.
Keeping It Fun and Safe
Babies need to be supervised all of the time when eating and sitting in their high chair. Make sure round foods like cherry tomatoes or grapes are chopped in half to avoid choking hazards. Many weaning courses will cover safely when weaning, or have a look on the NHS’s website and NHS’s Start For Life website. They have lots of useful information about safe and healthy eating for babies.
Whatever type of first foods you try, whether you do a mixture of baby-led weaning and pureed food, or make your own baby food and sometimes buy some from the shop, make sure you have fun as your baby starts this exciting new chapter!
Bon appetit!
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
What are the best and easiest ways to create nutritious meals for mums when you’re in postpartum recovery and breastfeeding?
The lovely people over at Allplants joins us to offer easy recipes that are great for new mums. We hope you enjoy!
Feed Your Power, Mum
Welcoming a new baby into the world is a joyous occasion, but it can also be a demanding and tiring time for new mums. Between caring for a newborn, recovering from childbirth, and taking care of their own wellbeing, it can be challenging to find the time and energy to cook nutritious meals. However, eating a balanced diet is crucial for postpartum recovery and providing the necessary nutrients for breastfeeding. So, what are some of the best foods for new mums that are both convenient and nutritious?
That’s where allplants comes in. They’ve created a collection of delicious, nutritionally balanced, plant-based ready meals; all prepared by chefs and delivered straight to your doorstep. Here are five dishes that are not just healthy and delicious (hello high in protein and iron), they’re easy to heat and eat, all containing the top five foods recommended for new mums.
Oats
A warm bowl of oats is not only comforting but also a great source of fibre, protein, and iron. It can also boost milk production and stabilise blood sugar levels, making it an excellent choice for breastfeeding mums. Allplants PB + J Breakfast Pot is perfect for tucking into and a convenient breakfast option when time is limited. Enjoy the delicious flavours of Pip & Nut peanut butter, raspberry jam, maple syrup and soaked chia oats – delicious!
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are packed with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, and folate. These nutrients are essential for postpartum recovery and supporting the production of breast milk. Pre-washed salad greens or frozen spinach can be a quick and easy addition to a meal. No energy to cook? Pop an allplants Green Protein Buddha Bowl in the microwave and enjoy the subtle mint flavour in the pea smash and the bold garlic and chilli dressing on the kale. This dish is a complete meal that is perfect for new mums looking for something supremely healthy.
Plant Protein
Lentils, beans, tofu, and quinoa are excellent sources of protein and are essential for repairing and building tissue after childbirth. They are also key to maintaining energy levels and can help to reduce feelings of fatigue. Pre-cooked lentils or canned beans can be a quick and easy addition to a meal, while tofu or quinoa can be cooked in advance and used in a variety of dishes. Incorporating plant-based protein sources into your postpartum diet is a great way to support your body’s recovery and provide the necessary nutrients for breastfeeding. Unsure where to start? Say hello to allplants Protein Power Buddha Bowl, the hint is in the name. A powerfully punchy dish of miso roasted tofu, coconut and edamame smash, with power grains, sweet chilli broccoli, sesame cabbage, and a pea and edamame medley.
Nuts And Seeds
Nuts and seeds are an excellent source of healthy fats and protein. They can help to boost energy levels, aid in the production of breast milk, and reduce inflammation. Meet your new bestie, allplants Mac and Greens with Cashew Cream is the plant-based trojan horse to make even the most sceptical fall in love with non-dairy cheese. The macaroni is tossed through a creamy cashew sauce, made from hidden sweet potato and cauliflower for added depth, plated with miso garlic spinach and topped with sweet leeks and a cheesy garlicky crumb – enough said.
Berries
Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are high in antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation in the body. They are also a good source of vitamin C and fibre, which can aid in postpartum recovery. Frozen berries can be a convenient addition to yoghurt bowls or porridge. Mix it up and start your day with the tasty allplants Berry Bliss Breakfast Smoothie, packed with antioxidant-rich berries and hemp seeds.
Charge Up With Allplants!
New mums need to prioritise their health and nutrition during the postpartum period. Bringing in more of these foods into your diet can help to support recovery and provide the necessary nutrients for breastfeeding. allplants is a super convenient option for those short on time and energy, making it easier to maintain a healthy and nutritious diet. So, go ahead and indulge in these delicious and nutritious meals without worrying about the hassle of cooking.
Disclaimer: Allplants were our partner brand for March 2024and have contributed a fee towards this post. This partnership will help us in our goal of connecting more parents with classes and to help find support near them.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
We’re joined by Kirsty Parsons from Bright Beginnings Baby Massage, who is here to share the benefits of baby and toddler classes for dads.
When a new baby arrives, family dynamics often change and there is the risk of Fathers feeling slightly left out. But a good option to help them feel involved is by encouraging them to go to a baby class for that feel-good bonding time. Here are just some of the benefits dads can experience from attending baby and toddler classes.
Getting That Quality Bonding Time
Pregnancy and birth give mums a great opportunity to bond with their babies before their baby is even born. Dads get more opportunities to connect with their baby once they are born through play and quality time.
In baby and toddler groups, dads will have the time to build their bond through communicating, caring and playing with their children. Baby massage is known to enhance this as it releases the happy hormone Oxytocin in both baby and Dad.
At around 6-12 months old, babies are at a stage of development where they will thrive from playtime. Classes like sensory classes, musical groups, messy play and soft play are great options for this age group.
Help Them To Gain Confidence In Handling A Baby
While it’s not often talked about, it’s actually super common for parents to worry about what the correct way to hold a baby is.
You have this tiny little human in your arms, there isn’t always guidance on the right way to hold them. For those who are feeling nervous or doubting themselves, classes can really help to offer comfort.
During group sessions (for example, in a baby massage), parents will learn different movements to relax their babies, these movements require babies to be put in various positions i.e. front, back, sat on the lap or held in the arms. Each week Fathers will handle their babies differently to practice the required techniques and will gain confidence in doing so.
Contributes To Child Development
By attending baby and toddler groups, dads take an active role in their children’s development. Baby classes can help dads learn about the importance of play. They help with learning about lots of different kinds of early development in babies. Including physical, cognitive, social, language and emotional.
This will build on Dad’s knowledge of child development and the milestones expected at all stages of development. Dad and baby will both explore with access to new and varied toys during their group sessions, enhancing Dad’s creativity within play.
Builds A Strong Support Network
It can be an overwhelming time for dads who have recently welcomed their newborn into the world. Research suggests that dads often feel isolated in those early stages of fatherhood.
But, when dads attend baby or toddler groups, they are far more likely to strike up a conversation with other families. This often leads to discussions around similar topics and shared experiences. More up-to-date research has found that dads felt they could openly discuss and share experiences with other dads during the group session. They are therefore boosting confidence in an arena free from judgment.
Creates Lasting Memories
The first few years of a child’s life can fly by in a blink. Dads might feel like they are missing out on pivotal moments in a baby’s life, especially if they are the main ones working in the house. Therefore by attending a group, Dads are present for some of their baby’s firsts.
By attending a baby and toddler group, both dad and child will participate in activities that will form lasting memories. Not only that but many groups provide the opportunity for photos to be taken which can be kept as a keepsake. Some groups may also have activities that help dads to create keepsakes such as hand prints, or celebration cards to take home so be sure to check the descriptions of the classes to see these options.
Baby Classes Help Dads To Takes Some Time Out
During group sessions that are baby or child-led, there will be time for dads to grab a drink and chat to other parents. Plus, there will be plenty of other parents or the class instructors on hand if they just fancy a ten-minute break! So take a seat, grab a snack and relax.
Thank You To Kirsty – Bright Beginnings Baby Massage
All of these benefits demonstrate how important Dads are in these early childhood experiences. Dads tend to challenge their children to explore and take part in new opportunities, as a result, children learn to build self-confidence, independence and motivation to succeed. Take a look at the local groups within your area, get booked in and let the fun commence!
Kirsty is a trained health visitor and baby massage instructor, who runs her own baby massage classes over at Bright Beginnings Baby Massage. Check her out on Instagram here!
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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