Beginning your baby on solid foods

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Starting Solids: A New Chapter in Your Baby’s Feeding Journey 🥄

Introducing your baby to solids is an exciting milestone for both of you! It’s a time for new tastes, textures, and the inevitable messes that come with it. But as your baby reaches the six-month mark, it’s time to introduce them to new foods to complement their milk diet.

For the first six months, your baby relies on iron stores from the womb and breast milk or formula. But as those iron stores begin to deplete, solids are needed to boost their nutrition.

It’s recommended to continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding alongside solids until your baby is 12 months old. Solids at this stage complement, rather than replace, their milk feeds. You can also start offering small amounts of water after six months, either in a sippy cup or with meals, to help your baby stay hydrated as they transition to solids.

Signs Your Baby Might Be Ready for Solids

Here are some signs to watch for that indicate your little one is ready to start eating solids:

They seem hungry after milk feeds
Can sit up with support and hold their head steady
Show interest in your food, possibly reaching out or opening their mouth
Make chewing motions when they see food
Open their mouth when a spoon comes near

Baby’s First Taste: Making Mealtimes Memorable 💛

Starting solids can be an exciting and slightly messy adventure! You can begin with simple, iron-rich foods to complement their milk diet, such as:

Iron-fortified rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula
Purées of cooked vegetables like pumpkin, kūmara, or carrot
Mashed avocado – easy to prepare and great for baby’s first tastes
Purée of cooked apple or pear – mild, easy-to-digest options
Purée of cooked chicken or beef – an excellent way to introduce iron

A fantastic way to offer baby their first tastes is with the b.box Silicone Fresh Food Feeder. Simply pop in soft fruits or steamed vegetables, and let baby explore with a self-feeding method that doubles as teething relief.

Make Mealtimes Easier with the Right Tools

The right tools can make the journey into solids so much easier – and a little less messy! The Zazi Clever Spoon Set is designed for tiny hands, and paired with the Clever Bowl with Lid, they're perfect for portioning, feeding, and storing leftovers. The b.box Roll + Go Mealtime Mat keeps the mess contained, while the classic Mum2Mum Wonder Bib or the Mum2Mum Sleeved Wonder Bib makes sure your baby’s outfit stays clean, even on the messiest of days. After all, less laundry means more cuddle time!

Moving to Mash

As your baby approaches seven months, they’ll likely be ready to try foods with a thicker consistency. Offer them mashed or fork-mashed foods like ripe banana, avocado, small pasta pieces, or cooked egg. These textures are easy for your baby to swallow and great for practicing chewing. At this stage, avoid harder lumps like whole peas, which can pose a choking risk.

Embracing Independence Around 8 Months

Around eight months, your baby may begin showing an interest in feeding themselves. They may grab the spoon and try to feed themselves – it’s messy, but it’s also a great opportunity for developing their hand-eye coordination. Give them a chance to explore, but always stay close by to offer a helping hand (and a napkin)!

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When Pets Meet Babies

Welcoming Your Baby and Fur Baby Together 🐾👶 For many families, pets are our first “babies” – loyal companions who’ve shared the couch, the bed, and plenty of milestones. So when a new human baby comes along, it’s natural to worry about how everyone will adjust. The good news? With a bit of preparation and kindness, your pet and baby can build a beautiful bond from the very beginning. Start with Your Pet’s Personality 🐶🐱 Every animal is different, and how you prepare depends on your pet’s species, temperament, and past experiences. While goldfish or guinea pigs usually require little adjustment, cats and dogs can be more sensitive to the changes a baby brings – new sounds, smells, routines, and less attention. If your pet hasn’t spent much time around children, consider slowly exposing them to baby-related sounds (like crying or giggling) using recordings beforehand. This can help desensitise them and reduce anxiety once baby is home. A Gentle Introduction is Key Before baby arrives, introduce your pet to baby items like the pram, cot, or bassinet. Let them explore at their own pace so these new additions don’t feel overwhelming later. You can even go for practice walks with the pram to help your dog get used to the change. When baby comes home, offer your pet something with baby’s scent – like a swaddle or hat – before the first face-to-face meeting. For dogs, initial introductions should be calm and ideally on leash, in a neutral space like the front yard. For cats, allow them to approach in their own time and retreat when they’ve had enough. Reward your pet for calm, gentle behaviour with treats or praise to create positive associations with baby. Safety First – Always 💛 No matter how friendly or socialised your pet is, never leave them alone with your baby. Even well-meaning pets can act unpredictably when startled or stressed. Cats may try to jump into the bassinet to cuddle up, which can be dangerous. Consider using a cat net over the cot or keeping the nursery door closed. For dogs, teach them to respect baby’s space and avoid licking or nudging the baby. Once your baby becomes mobile, always supervise interactions and start gently teaching respectful handling – this not only keeps everyone safe but helps your child grow up with empathy and confidence around animals. Create Safe Spaces for Everyone As your household routine shifts, pets will appreciate having a quiet, baby-free zone to retreat to. Use pet gates or closed doors to keep their food, bedding, and litter trays separate. This not only protects your pet’s resources but keeps curious toddlers away from things they shouldn’t be touching (or tasting!). Make sure escape routes like cat doors are secure, and create high perches or quiet corners where your cat can safely observe without feeling overwhelmed. Managing Allergies and Cleanliness Pet hair is a common allergen, and while it’s impossible to know if your baby is sensitive right away, there are a few preventative steps you can take: Vacuum regularly (a pet-specific vacuum can help). Bathe or groom your pet as advised by your vet. Keep pets off nursery furniture and out of the baby’s sleeping space. Consider using an air purifier in high-traffic areas. It’s also a good idea to wash baby’s hands after contact with your pet – especially once they start crawling! Don’t Forget About Your Pet’s Routine ❤️ Newborns take up a lot of time and energy – and pets can sometimes feel left out. Sticking to familiar routines, like walks, feeding times, and play, helps them feel secure. Enlist friends or family to help out with dog walking or play sessions, especially in those early weeks. Cats benefit from mental stimulation too – puzzle feeders or interactive toys can be great for independent play. Some parents also find that having their pet involved in small baby routines (like sitting nearby during nappy changes or walks in the pram) can help strengthen the bond early on. Growing Together: A Bond Like No Other With time, patience, and gentle consistency, your baby and fur baby will adapt to each other – and may even become inseparable friends. Watching them grow up side by side is one of life’s simple joys 🥰 If you’re getting ready to welcome a baby into your home and have questions about creating a calm, safe space for both little ones and furry friends, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team or pop into your local Dimples store – we’re always happy to help.

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The Play Table Packed with Possibilities

Harness the power of early learning with the Stokke® MuTable that grows and adapts just as quickly as your child’s imagination! Play isn’t just fun – it’s also the foundation of learning. A children’s play table gives little ones the perfect space to explore with both hands and minds. From building the MuTable Play House (which comes complete with dolls and toys) to tackling puzzles or inventing animal adventures with play dough, every activity sparks creativity, problem-solving, and growth. The MuTable is designed to grow with your child. It comes with three double-sided activity boards, each one offering new adventures and challenges as your little one develops. From quiet solo play to lively group fun, there’s something to spark curiosity at every stage: A wooden cover that flips to become a blackboard for doodles, scribbles, and first masterpieces A reversible landscape board featuring a peaceful nature setting on one side and a bustling city scene on the other A bricks board with surfaces for both small and large blocks, giving building projects endless possibilities The MuTable chairs are perfectly sized for little ones to sit comfortably while they draw, build, and create. Cleverly designed to grow with your child, the seat height can be adjusted as they get bigger. When it’s time for a change, simply remove the backrest and the chair transforms into a sturdy stool that can hold up to 100kg. Why a child’s play table is a game-changer A fun zone for kidsA child-sized play table and chair set creates a safe, comfortable space just for them. It encourages proper posture while giving little ones their very own place to play, build, and create. Nurtures creativityFrom drawing and painting to building towers or sculpting play-dough, a play table becomes the stage for endless adventures. With the MuTable’s colourful, tactile boards, your child can dive into imaginative worlds every day – saving the city, exploring nature, or inventing their own stories. Encourages independenceEasy access to their own table and chairs means children can jump into play whenever they choose. This sense of ownership helps build problem-solving skills, self-sufficiency, and confidence. Brings kids togetherA play table is also a hub for teamwork. Kids can play side by side, sharing space while still enjoying their own chair. This is perfect for collaboration, cooperation, and making memories. Made to lastCrafted from premium natural wood, the MuTable and chairs are built for years of use, backed by a 3-year warranty. Softly curved edges ensure safety, while the award-winning design blends seamlessly with any home. Grows with your childDesigned to adapt as your little one gets older, both the table and chairs come with leg extensions to raise the height as needed. The clever design means the MuTable keeps up with every stage of childhood.

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