Starting your baby on solids is an exciting yet messy milestone, especially when they begin self-feeding around 6 to 7 months old. From personal experience, I found that mess is inevitable, but preparing for it can make mealtime much more manageable. Using a large bib with a pocket catcher and having a dedicated cloth or wet wipes nearby helps to quickly clean up food spills. I also found that covering the high chair tray with a silicone mat made cleaning easier. When it comes to keeping your baby’s clothes clean, changing into easy-to-wipe clothing or even going with a feeding smock can save laundry loads. Although hats can help keep food off your little one’s head, forgetting it once or twice won’t be disastrous—just have extra towels on hand. Another helpful tip is to create a distraction-free feeding environment so your baby can focus on the food rather than just playing with it. Encourage self-feeding with small, manageable pieces of soft food to reduce large spills. Lastly, embrace the mess as part of the learning process; it’s a sign your baby is developing motor skills and independence, which is a joyful step for any parent. Remember, with some preparation and patience, self-feeding can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your baby.