Lunchtime Sillies

Oh my goodness, I thought I was alone in this! My little one, the star of the 'food on head' show, seems to think every meal is an art project. Just yesterday, sitting in their high chair with their trusty blue elephant bib, a perfectly good piece of pasta ended up as a hat, not a snack! And don't even get me started on the food around their mouth – it's like a tiny, edible beard by the end of lunch. It’s wild how quickly mealtimes can go from calm to chaotic with a baby. I’ve been doing baby-led weaning, and while it's amazing to see them explore textures and flavors, it definitely comes with its fair share of messes. The 'food on head' phase, specifically, has been a real head-scratcher (pun intended!). I've wondered, "Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong?" But after seeing so many other parents share similar stories, I've realized it’s just part of the baby-led weaning adventure. I think my baby puts food on their head for a few reasons. Sometimes, I swear it's pure sensory exploration – feeling the squishiness of a banana or the slipperiness of pasta against their skin. Other times, it feels like they're just experimenting with gravity, seeing what happens when food isn't just for eating. It could also be a sign they’re full or just not interested in that particular food anymore. They're still learning how to communicate, and sometimes, a food-hat is their way of saying, "I'm done!" My strategies for dealing with these hilarious (and messy!) moments have evolved. First, I've learned to embrace the mess. Investing in a good splash mat under the high chair has been a game-changer. Seriously, it catches so much fallen food and makes cleanup so much easier. I also make sure my baby is wearing a full-sleeved bib – like the blue elephant one – to protect their clothes. Another thing I've found helpful is to offer a variety of textures and shapes, but not too much food at once. If they're just playing and not eating, I might gently redirect their hands back to their mouth or offer a different food. If the food-slinging or head-decorating becomes excessive, it’s usually a cue that they’re truly done with lunch or dinner. At that point, I try not to get frustrated; I just take the food away and know that we'll try again at the next meal. It's all part of their development, right? They're learning about cause and effect, developing their fine motor skills, and engaging all their senses. While I sometimes wish the pasta would always end up in their tummy, these silly moments provide so much laughter and make for unforgettable memories. So, if your baby is also using their head as a canvas for their lunch, know you're not alone, and it's perfectly normal!