Messy Weaning - Embracing the chaos and celebrating the splats!

Life Just Got Messier… And That’s a Good Thing
If no one’s told you yet, welcome to the stickiest chapter of motherhood: weaning.
And I don’t mean a few innocent crumbs. I mean hummus in the hair, toast in the toes,
yoghurt behind the ears kind of mess. It’s chaos but it’s beautiful chaos.
Whether you’re going down the baby-led route, spoon-feeding purées, or mixing the two it’s
going to get messy. And honestly? That mess is where the magic lives.
Mess Means Learning
Every splat, smear, and squidge helps your baby explore:
- How food feels
- What different textures do
- How to grab, gum, squish, and feed themselves
- What happens when they drop food (spoiler: it’s usually funny!)
This kind of sensory exploration is *gold dust* for development. Babies learn by doing. For
them weaning is a full-body experience.
Spoon-Feeding? It’s Still Messy—And That’s Okay
Even if you’re offering purées, mess will still happen. They’ll want to grab the spoon. They’ll
blow raspberries mid-mouthful. They’ll get it in their eyebrows and yours.
Let them have a go. You’re not just feeding them, you’re helping them learn *how* to eat.
Let Go of Perfect
This part can be hard if you like your kitchen tidy. I get it. But honestly perfection has no
place at the weaning table.
Pop a mat under the highchair. Keep the wipes nearby. Strip baby down if it helps. Use a bib
that covers. And breathe. You’re doing great.
Make it Playful
Turn weaning into a mini messy play session. Put on a playlist, offer a spoon and let baby
join in. Whether it’s squishing banana or exploring mashed potato, it’s all part of the
adventure.
Because Here’s the Truth:
Messy meals become memories. Confidence grows through chaos. And the sticky, giggly
moments you’re living through right now? You’re laying the foundation for a baby who feels
safe, confident, and curious about food.
So if life just got messier embrace it. Laugh through it. And know that this messy chapter is
one of the most magical ones yet.