we eat: 9 months | nuby giveaway

feeding your infant table food can be one of those really fun things and really stressful things simultaneously happening at the same time.  I mentioned a little about out mealtime routine in Baker’s 9 month update.  
she is such a hot mess. as much that gets to her mouth goes into her hair, too.  
which means that bathtime is required every night!
at nine months Baker’s most favorite meal is probably nut butter toast + sliced banana.  her mama eats this breakfast every single morning and she will all but tackle me for a bite!  last summer the american academy of pediatrics endorsed that it was acceptable and even recommended that the introduction of peanuts be done sooner rather than later in infants (ages 4-11 months).  SO- that being said, Baker has indeed had peanut butter as well almond butter.  
definitely talk to your pediatrician and use your own parental judgement! 
the only food we really steer clear from is honey.
I’m not a huge meat eater and neither are my big girls.  they will eat grilled chicken and of course chicken nuggets shaped like dinosaurs, but other than that they stick to the veggie and legume proteins. this habit has spilled over into Baker’s mealtime, too!  lots of vegetable and grain proteins- chickpeas, lentils, beans, quinoa, brown rice.
she’s got a texture thing with avocado, but I continue to offer it several times every week in hopes she will eventually accept it- we are making progress!  babies and even big kids (ahem, adults, too!) can show aversion to a food for up to 10 times before they finally decide that yes I like it!
she LOVES chicken meatballs (I buy them at Target) and I’ve made black bean cakes and homemade turkey meatballs a time or two.  the best part about that is the big girls eat, too!  so I am not always prepping three different dinners for everyone in this house.  
Baker loves most veggies and fruit!
broccoli + brussels sprouts + asparagus + green beans + butternut squash + sweet potato
strawberries + watermelon + grapes + bananas + blueberries + mandarin oranges + apples + honeydew melon + cantaloupe 
whole milk yogurt mixed with a couple tablespoons of almond butter is on the menu at least once a day.  I usually buy the large 32oz containers of whole milk greek yogurt – again I get this at Target.  I do usually keep the individual baby yogurts on hand just for ease of taking it on the go or when her BB or a sitter is feeding her.
feeding essentials 
the chair.  we love our boon highchair!  we bought a couple of graco highchairs for the twins- we liked them okay but my one complaint was that they got SO messy.  smooshed food in all crevices.. and we basically disassembled the chair to clean it.. and I’m embarrassed to say that the effort to clean it was far outweighed by ‘just cleaning it up after breakfast tomorrow’ 
which turned into lunch.  then dinner.
you get the point.  it was a nasty mess of a cycle and I’m so glad we don’t have to deal with it this time around. 
the bibs.  we wear a bib about half the time.  sometimes its just easier to let her just make a huge mess.  maybe its third child problems but I think I bought like two or three new bibs for Baker and I can count on one hand how many times she’s worn them.  
table wear.  following a loosely termed baby-led-weaning routine we don’t use utensils except when I am feeding Baker yogurt.  everything else she uses her hands or sucks down purees from a food 
pouch. I love these spoons and I have had a set of these bowls since the twins were tiny.
we were so excited to try out nuby’s most recent addition to their tremendous line of baby and toddler feeding tools.  I mentioned this mat in our 9 month favorites post, and it is true. the nuby sure grip miracle mat has quickly become our favorite at meal times.    
 chicken meatballs + avocado + watermelon
 quinoa + roasted butternut squash with cumin 
 the mat suctions to the tray so that is doesnt move around or is easy for Baker to just pick up and toss her entire plate of food to the ground.  
oh, but that doesnt stop her from trying.

I’ve teamed up with one of my favorite baby brands to offer not just one but TWO lucky winners a chance to win their every own nuby sure grip miracle mat before its even available in stores and online!  these mats will be available at babies r us in June and on Amazon in July. I’m always on the lookout to making the lives of fellow mama friends a little easier:)

Enter for your chance to win in the rafflecopter giveaway below.
giveaway runs from Wednesday April 20th through Saturday April 23rd.  Winner will be selected Monday morning!

GOOD LUCK:)
contest open to US residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

April 20, 2016

  1. Cassie says:

    My little is just starting to eat solids and I'm so curious what others are eating.

  2. Thanks for always sharing your current faves!! I love learning about new products to make life little easier!! : )

  3. Good morning! I have a 10 month And I love getting new Ideas for meals from you! Keep them coming. πŸ™‚

  4. That nuby may is on our list of wants for #3 as well! Also, this time around I was convinced I was going to make her baby food but this baby led weaning posts have made me rethink purees all together!

  5. That Nuby mat in on our list of wants for #3!

  6. Kate20 says:

    Pouches make feeding my 8 month old easy when I'm busy getting dinner ready.

  7. Katie says:

    Little miss bakers eyes are stunning. I actually found your blog on a hunt to find healthy things to feed my little one. Love that this mat fits the boon high hair because we have had a hard time finding much that does fit the smaller tray. Thanks for the info!!

  8. Jamey Lynne says:

    Adalyn isn't really ready for the texture of solid foods. She can't move them to the back of her mouth and swallow without gagging yet, so we are still spoon feeding purees. She loves to chase puffs and Cheerios around her tray though, so I can tell a plate like this will be necessary soon! πŸ™‚

  9. Lavakels says:

    My 7 month old has just started eating peas and squash. We tried yogurt the other day too but she looooooves Cheerios. I've got to up my game and start giving her more food. I love these posts and this mat looks amazing

  10. awils3n says:

    Anything that can be suctioned down is aaaamaazing!! My little loves to dump his plate and toss it on the floor! The dog loves it…..momma not so much!!!

  11. Great ideas for feeding baby, I have a 7.5 month old and sometimes I'm not quite sure what to feed him. We also love the Nuby mash & feed bowl!

  12. We also love the Nuby mash n' feed bowl!

  13. Hillary says:

    I'm excited to try out baby led weaning with our next little guy! You have so many great ideas. Huge Nuby lovers here as well!!

  14. Stang&Co says:

    I am going to try out meatballs for my little guy; I can't believe I haven't thought of that as an easy food to introduce!

  15. Amanda D. says:

    I can't wait to try this new placemat! My twins are doing great at solids, but we want to continue to expand their palate and skill level with picking up tiny foods.

  16. Jen says:

    I need that nuby mat so bad! My daughter is 1 and has started to throw her plate or tip it over. This would save my sanity!

  17. Becca says:

    My little girl is 10 months and also SUCH a messy eater! Love the idea of this mat/plate!

  18. The Nuby plate looks awesome and looks like it would make for an easy clean up!

  19. Brittney says:

    Love the table mat! Definitely will be needing one of those here soon!

  20. Nicki Baum says:

    I have 16 mo/old boy/girl twins, and I agree with you on the no bibs thing, lol! With my older son, we used everything we could to keep him tidy. With these twins, it's anything goes – Just eat the food, lol!

  21. Dranrab says:

    Getting the baby fed his cereal first then having a family dinner & letting him experiment with real table foods is what seems to be working for us right now.

    Thanks!!
    Nicole K.

  22. Brooke Keen says:

    My little one is a month behind Baker so I love reading your posts about what new things Baker is trying/doing along with your monthly favorites (I have ordered quite a few things for Rilee from your monthly favorites list) I make Rilee's baby food but we are doing more and more solids. Pasta is new on our list and she LOVES it! This mat is definitely on my buy list. I did not do baby led weaning but reading your post has intrigued me so I've researched and I'm starting to go more that way than purΓ©ed foods these days.

  23. Laura T says:

    Easy to clean highchairs definitely make all the difference! The nuby mat looks great!

  24. Tracy Bryan says:

    I use reusable pouches. #gamechanger I have 21 month toddler twin boys, and this allows me to ensure the quality of their food and not create so much waste. (And it is so easy). I love putting Greek yogurt, oatmeal, buckwheat cereal. Awesome!

  25. The Macons says:

    I need this! My girl is almost 2 but she is BOUND and determined to throw whatever plate is in front of her!

  26. Heidi Ernst says:

    Love your blog posts!!

  27. I'm counting on your advice since I'm pregnant with my first πŸ™‚

  28. Betsy Lynn says:

    This Nuby tray would totally make my life easier. With an almost 7 month old who enjoys flipping more onto the floor that into his mouth…he wouldn't get to do that with this awesome tray! Even if I don't win, totally probably going to invest in one. Hope they come out sooner than later. Question about the yogurt though, we have been trying to introduce new foods in and we tried plain Greek yogurt. Not a fan. We then mixed it with some fruit baby food, still not a fan. What do you recommend? What is the difference with the whole milk yogurt that you use? Also, what are the baby yogurts that you mentioned about? Thanks for the tips!

  29. Betsy Lynn says:

    This Nuby tray would totally make my life easier. With an almost 7 month old who enjoys flipping more onto the floor that into his mouth…he wouldn't get to do that with this awesome tray! Even if I don't win, totally probably going to invest in one. Hope they come out sooner than later. Question about the yogurt though, we have been trying to introduce new foods in and we tried plain Greek yogurt. Not a fan. We then mixed it with some fruit baby food, still not a fan. What do you recommend? What is the difference with the whole milk yogurt that you use? Also, what are the baby yogurts that you mentioned about? Thanks for the tips!

  30. Alison Boone says:

    love those mats and the food ideas!

  31. What brand of almond butter do you mix with yogurt? Tried this with my twins and it wasn't very good!

  32. Brenda says:

    Great concept!! Would love to win for my daughter who is expecting twins in July!!

  33. My second child is 6 months and starting to explore finger foods. I enjoy reading your posts and use Baker's updates on sleeping and eating as a guide for what is next for my little man. I find it crazy how easily I forgot what comes next or what to expect from my first child to my second child. Mom Brain!

  34. I am obsessed with bibs that are "wipe-able" with a pocket to catch crumbs! Makes clean-up so much easier!

  35. Amber says:

    I have a 13 month old with another coming in july. I plan on doing baby led weaning with her. I need all easy things. My q3 month old loves throwing his plate on the ground ?

  36. Tina Kropp says:

    This mat/plate would be perfect for my 3 year old! He loves to throw his plate when he finished and is always making a huge mess because he is FAST!

    Meanwhile, I have 3 month old twins we will be introducing foods too soon…

  37. Dana says:

    Great post! I love these ideas for mealtime!!

  38. Another great giveaway and thanks for the non meat protein ideas my girls are the same way!

  39. Lisa David says:

    My son is a messy eater so this would be perfect!

  40. Lisa David says:

    My son is a messy eater so this would be perfect!

  41. jen says:

    This mat looks amazing! Nothing in a bowl survives with our baby πŸ™‚ mealtime is made easier at out house when she has finger foods right away!

  42. I've been wanting to try one of these mats! Also, I didn't know about the peanut thing. I had a peanut allergy until my late 20s, so I've been cautious with my 10-month old son. Looks like I can start introducing it to him now!

  43. msmfe says:

    Meatballs are the only way I get my girl to eat some days! I throw some veggies into the food processor and mix them into some ground meat and she never notices! This miracle mat looks amazing!

  44. Kimberly R. says:

    I'd love to win for my niece or great niece! πŸ™‚ Thanks for doing this

  45. Making everything fun! πŸ™‚

  46. My little would love this! Thanks for sharing!!

  47. Jessica says:

    These are genius! Would love to try it out!!

  48. Jessica says:

    Genius! Can't wait to check these out!

  49. Lnh178 says:

    great idea! Need one ASAP!

  50. Renee Smith says:

    Great products like these that are quick and easy to clean make my life easier! I'm fortunate that my girls love all kinds of different foods. I think if they see us eating it, they are more willing to try it and like it too.

  51. rwynsma says:

    I don't have kids yet but expecting my first one in October – this looks so smart!

  52. Talk to me about how you get your littles to eat quinoa, chickpeas, lentils, etc. My 14 month old is a pretty good eater, but she's in that stage where she doesn't want me feeding her with a spoon, but she isn't quite able to do it herself yet. Do you just buy them in pouches or do you prep them a certain way to get her to eat them! You have such great toddler food ideas…thank you!!

  53. Love how perfectly they fit in the boon high chair! She is adorable and love the food ideas!

  54. Unknown says:

    Great post! Would love to win!
    Nphill11

  55. My sons would live this! I have a two year old who is super messy when he eats. I also have a three month old who may be starting solid foods soon! He eats so much now the dr said we might not be able to wait until 6 months (the age she recommends) to start eating solids.

  56. Ashley says:

    Love love love this product. It would be perfect for my one year old daughter Penelope. We would love to try it out and see if it make meal time easier!!

  57. Ashley says:

    Love love love this!! It would be perfect for, my one year old daughter Penelope. This would make meal time easier for sure, we would love to try it out.

  58. Ashley says:

    Love love love this product. It would be perfect for my one year old daughter Penelope. We would love to try it out and see if it make meal time easier!!

  59. May Jimenez says:

    I so need this! Only thing that makes feeding easier for me is sitting with my son and letting him grab at my plate….

  60. May Jimenez says:

    This is awesome! My son is always grabbing at our plates….

  61. amber says:

    Meghan-
    I just boil/steam and let her pick those foods up on her own- usually by the baby handful. she make s mess with the grains, so I give them a little bit at a time!

  62. an easy to clean high chair is HUGE!! why they even make them with all the crevasses, I'll never know!

  63. kysarae says:

    I would love to try this!

  64. I think feeding is easier when every area is covered in case of possible spills so cleanup is much easier! That mat looks amazing!

  65. I always give my son his favorite spoon and pretend he's feeding himself. That distracts him and he eats all of hia food.

  66. This product would be so helpful for baby #2 on the way. We did BLW with my first and loved it. I feel like in general it made feeding easier (besides the mess) because my husband and I were also able to eat at the same time. It easily led to her gaining independence with using utensils on her own and not us doing it for her. Of course now as an almost 2.5 year old soon-to-be big sister, she loves for her daddy to feed her πŸ˜›

  67. JC Overfield says:

    Letting my little one eat what I'm eating g…squash, broccoli, carrits,avacado…she's only 6 months and we are.loving watching her discover!

  68. This looks like a great product that would definitely make my life easier with my daughter!

  69. The Boon high chair is the best! Easy clean up! You have great ideas for feeding the little ones!

  70. Debbie Smith says:

    What makes my life easier when feeding kiddos?? HAVING A DOG TO CLEAN THE FLOOR!!! πŸ™‚

  71. sarah says:

    Mealtime became easier when I stopped fighting with my daughter about wearing a bib!

  72. This would be great for me or my bff who is also expecting!! These look awesome!

  73. I let my 8 month hold his own spoon and attempt to try to feed himself. We're still mostly on purΓ©es so I sneak attack food in there πŸ™‚

  74. Claire says:

    I have been wanting one of these for my little one! Meal time is messy enough without having to worry about them dumping the plate on the floor!!

  75. My son would love using this mat for meal time. Great idea.

  76. My son would love using this mat for meal time. Great idea.

  77. NC Becky says:

    wonder what took them so long to come out with this. My sweet Eryn needs this – she is 7 months old

  78. Stephanie V says:

    Feeding our little guy- 8 mos- what we are eating takes a lot of the stress out of meal planning and he enjoys it better too!

  79. Ashley Moyer says:

    This would be AMAZING for our little girl!!! So much less stressfull!

  80. Ashley Moyer says:

    This would be amazing to win for my little girl!

  81. CarrieB says:

    This would be great for my 10 month old! We are doing BLW also. Thank you for all the great meal ideas!

  82. Brooke Paul says:

    I'm pregnant with my second, any little win helps πŸ™‚

  83. Lindsey P. says:

    about to start baby-led in the next 2-3 weeks! this would be great!

  84. Lindsey P. says:

    Getting ready to start baby-led in the next 2-3 weeks. this would be great!