Whether it’s just you and baby or you have a big family, breakfast, lunch and supper are great opportunities to spend quality time together.
Family meals are precious moments for everyone around the table, especially baby! It’s never too early to include baby—even before starting solid foods. Baby will learn a lot by participating in mealtimes.
There are many benefits to sharing a meal, because eating as a family is…
…stimulating
Eating and talking with baby will help develop their speech and curiosity. Don’t hesitate to talk to your baby about the food and ask them how it tastes, even if they aren’t talking yet.
For example, you can show your baby an orange carrot, have them listen to the sound of biting into a crisp apple or have them smell a sweet pear. This will stimulate an interest in food.
… nourishing
Children who participate in regular family mealtimes have better eating habits. They eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. They seem to be less picky eaters. They are less likely to be overweight. They have fewer eating disorders.
As the parent, be a positive role model for your child:
- Offer nourishing foods and meals
- Offer a variety of foods
- Remove distractions during meals (games, TV, cellphones)
- Respect when they are hungry or full
… reassuring
Routines are very important for baby! Eating at about the same times every day gives baby touchpoints during the day. This provides structure, which helps baby feel safe and secure, knowing that their hunger will be satisfied.
… pleasant
Eating together is a good way to spend more time as a family, to better communicate and to get to know one another better. This makes the bonds between family members stronger. Mealtimes are also a good time to check on your child’s mood and help them find solutions to their problems.
… instructive
Mealtimes are very enriching for baby. They discover which foods are served at different times of the day (breakfast, lunch, supper). They learn what is acceptable to eat and what isn’t. And they learn their first rules to follow at the table, like not throwing food, staying seated, etc.
You don’t have to eat every meal together, but the more you do, the more everyone benefits. You can start with a few meals a week and then, gradually, add some more. For example, two breakfasts during the week, and lunch on the weekend. Set a realistic goal based on your schedule and constraints.
No matter how many meals you share, eating as a family is a great habit to adopt!
Writing : Fondation Olo
Scientific review : Mylène Duplessis Brochu, nutritionist, Dt.P., M.Sc.
