Parents are often left confused about what to feed their baby for 'teatime', their meal in the evenings, and may find it hard to think of tasty teatime ideas to increase variety for their little one. However, I don’t see it as ‘teatime’, but rather a second dinner. I recommend offering another dinner-style meal, different to what was fed at the first dinner. Something savoury, quick and with a finger food where possible.
When is ‘Teatime’?
‘Teatime’, or rather your baby’s second dinner, can be offered between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. Thinking of it as a second dinner makes it so much easier to think of tasty ideas for this feed. For a fun baby led weaning meal, be sure to include a finger food along with a dip or purée so your baby can explore their second dinner.
Variety
Offer a different carbohydrate to that served at dinner. If you served potatoes earlier in the day, why not try rice or couscous?
A protein isn’t essential at this time, especially if there was one at the main dinner, such as chicken or other meats. This second dinner is great to use up your batch cooked meals stored in your Weaning Pots. From a Vegetable Sauce for pasta to Scrumptious Salmon Balls, get creative with what to offer for your baby’s teatime feed.
Keep it Simple
Think quick and simple. This second dinner should be just as simple and stress free as the rest of the meals throughout the day. Think of meals that are quick and easy to prepare such as our 20-minute kid-friendly meals. Offer either as a purée (where possible) or as a finger food for baby to self-feed.
Finger Foods
I would always advise that you make one meal a finger food meal, and perhaps teatime is the meal that works best as this for your child. Play around with the times and see when they are most accepting. Try our Baked Falafels, Vegetable Muffins or Homemade Pork Sausage Rolls, all of which are perfect to batch cook and freeze to have on hand for those busier evenings. Simply offer a sauce for dipping for a tasty baby led weaning meal. The Baby Led Weaning Set is perfect to batch cook and store finger foods and dips for a stress-free second dinner any night of the week.
Teatime Ideas for your Baby
6-7 Months
Start to think about more texture from six months. Having a few sauces on hand that you can add to pasta makes it easier for when you are busy in the evenings. Try our Three Pepper Pasta Sauce or our Tomato sauce recipe and make sure to batch cook and store in the correct portion pot size (2oz/60ml). Serve either as a finger food or in very small shapes.
8-9 Months
As your baby gets further into their weaning journey, you can increase the texture of foods offered at 'teatime' or second dinner. A lumpier Chicken Casserole that can also be offered as a finger food is a great meal to have on hand. Make sure to batch cook (don't blend) and store in the correct portion size for your 8-9m.
9-12 Months
When your baby reaches 9 months and if you have not already moved them onto your family meals, then this is a good time for the change over. They will now be able for the texture and so long as you do not add salt or sugar to the meal its perfect for your baby. Why not try out our Coconut Chicken Curry, I promise your baby will love it and so will you. Make sure to batch cook (don't blend) and store in the correct portion size for your 9-12m.
