Baby’s first Christmas dinner? What to feed your baby over the festive season (and beyond)

Your first Christmas with a baby can be busy, but it can also be incredibly fun. Family gatherings where relatives get to coo and cuddle, and perhaps even meet them for the first time. Sparkly lights and decorations everywhere to bring the magic. And of course, their first ever visit from Santa…

If your little one is a sleepy newborn, then hopefully you’ll get to spend most of your Christmas quietly snuggling them on the sofa while your family bring you snacks. 

But if you have a weaning baby, or one who’s close to it, how can you make sure they have a nutritious introduction to solid food, when there are so many treats around? You might be wondering:

 

• Is it OK for my baby to eat Christmas dinner with the rest of us, or do they need special foods?

• If my baby is under 6 months, should I stop them from eating, even if they show lots of interest in all the festive foods they see?

• If my baby’s already eating solid foods, should I just keep to the usual routine, or is it OK to be a bit flexible at this time of year?

What your baby really needs from weaning

 

Weaning is the gradual transition from an all-milk diet to solid foods. Usually, this starts around 6 months, and this is the age that the FDA (and most other national bodies) advise. That’s the age most babies are ready, with maturing digestive systems and the ability to chew and swallow food safely. 

But babies don’t just need ‘food’. They need:

 

• Nutrient dense food that’s designed to support their growth (just like their milk). 

• Food that’s easy and fun to eat, so they come to enjoy it. 

• Exposure to a range of new tastes and textures. 

 

All this means that Christmas is actually a great time to be weaning your baby. While you might not want to let them loose with a box of chocolates, you’ll probably find there are plenty of nutritious but tasty and exciting foods around for them to try. 

Baby-led weaning vs purees

There are two main ways for weaning babies to eat: finger foods that they pick up themselves, and spoon-feeding, where you take the lead. 

Many people decide to use finger foods all or most of the time, which is often called baby-led weaning. The idea is that babies can go at their own pace, and learn how to chew and grasp food from the beginning. The downside is that some babies just won’t eat much this way, and it can also be predictably messy!

Other parents focus mostly on purees or other soft foods like porridge. This is a gentle, easy introduction to food, and means that you know how much they’re actually eating. But some feel that it can feel a little like forcing your baby to eat, and prefer to let them learn in their own time. 

Both approaches are valid, though in reality, most parents do a bit of both. You might start off with purees and spoon-feeding, but offer vegetable sticks or fruit pieces for snacks, for example. 

At Christmas, you’ll probably find that this kind of combined approach works really well. It means you’ll be able to make sure your little one gets to experiment with new foods from your festive menu, while still being guaranteed to get something solid and familiar in their tummy through spoon-feeding.

Christmassy (and not so Christmassy) foods your baby might love

 

If your baby is right at the start of their weaning journey, you don’t need to worry too much about providing a balance of different types of foods. At this stage, it’s all about making sure they start exploring and enjoying food. 

But if they’re a little older, it’s a good idea to try and keep their diet balanced, with a good combination of protein, carbs and fruit and vegetables. 

Protein:

 

Some common festive meat and fish options, such as sausages, ham and smoked fish, aren’t suitable for babies due to the fat content. You’ll also need to be careful with fatty or bony meat that could pose a choking risk. 

Here are some easy, safe options:

• Turkey or chicken, either blended and mixed with porridge, or sliced as a finger food. 

• If you’re vegetarian (or even if you’re not) tofu slices make a great, simple alternative. 

• Cheese. Though cheese is salty, it’s also a good source of protein, and is safe to feed babies in small quantities. 

Fruit and veg:

Pretty much any vegetable you might have on your dinner table can be adapted for your baby. And with bright colors and varied flavors, veg is often one of the most fun and appealing things for little ones to eat. 

 

You could try:

 

• Steamed or roasted carrots, potatoes or parsnips (just make sure you cool them before you feed!)

• Mashed potato or pumpkin for spoon-fed babies (but go easy on any added salt). 

• Pureed or mashed fruit such as apples and pears. 

• Steamed green veg such as broccoli that’s easy to pick up. 

Carbohydrates:

Babies need plenty of carbs for energy, and if you have a busy holiday schedule, they might need even more than usual. They’ll get some carbs from root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, but you can also give them:

 

• Porridge – either baby porridge, or the adult version. 

• Rice pudding (with fruit added for extra nutrition). 

• Breadsticks or toast strips for easy snacks. 

What about treats?

Very sugary snacks, like chocolates or candy, aren’t OK for babies. But that doesn’t mean they can’t have a little of something special. You could try:

• Homemade low-sugar cookies 

• Carrot or pumpkin cake (again, low sugar is best). 

• Baked apple or pear wedges

Why porridge might be your baby's favorite festive food 

 

While the suggestions above should help you and your baby have fun with food this Christmas, there are going to be plenty of times when you just need an easy, reliable meal. 

Plus, some babies find trying lots of new things (especially if you also have lots of visitors) overwhelming, and need something familiar and comforting. 

The organic porridges we offer, from HiPP and Kendamil, are all great to use on their own, or with fruit or even meat and savory foods added. They’re also very easy and quick to prep (even when you’re tired). 

Don’t forget the milk…

However much food they eat, babies still need plenty of milk. When they first start weaning, they’ll need as much milk as they always have. 

Once they’re reliably eating 3 meals a day (usually around 9 or 10 months), you can reduce milk, but it’ll still be an important part of their diet right through toddlerhood. 

If you formula feed, make sure you have enough in stock to see you through until the new year. 

Finally…enjoy

 

Your baby’s first Christmas might be chaotic and tiring, but it’ll also be fun. And the first of many happy Christmases to come.