Foods To Use In A Mesh Nibbler & Foods To Avoid
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Mesh feeders are one of the most recommended gadgets by mums for their babies, especially for teething babies and so it is easy to see why so many are looking at what foods they can and cannot use. It can be hard to work out what is best to use and best for your baby.
The best foods to use within your mesh feeder are things such as frozen fruit and yogurts, fresh fruit and vegetables and roasted vegetables. Though there are some foods you should avoid putting in your mesh nibbler, such as nuts, small dried fruits and heavily seeded foods.
In this article, I am going to outline foods you can and cannot use in a mesh nibbler, from practicality and safety reasons.
Foods You Can Use In A Mesh Nibbler
Fruit
Pretty much any type of fruit is perfect for using with your mesh feeder as they are the most pliable. The most common foods have been different types of melon as they are juicy, soft and perfect for gnawing on, especially if your baby is teething.
Though other fruits such as apples, pears and peaches are perfect candidates for putting into a mesh feeder. These are great for babies and children who are teething and want something a little tougher to gnaw on.
If you are using your mesh feeder to help with weaning and sensory learning fruits such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries and grapes are perfect as they don’t contain large seeds or hard skins to take off.
Vegetables
Though vegetables can be hard when raw these can still be a great option to put in a mesh feeder, especially if you have a baby who is teething. Vegetables that are great to include are things such as carrots,
Alternatively, if you want still to introduce vegetables into your babies diet without giving them tough foods you can cook the vegetables so they are a little softer and mushier. Steaming your vegetables are great for young babies who are weaning and require softer, mushier foods.
Frozen Fruit
While fresh fruit is the perfect filler for mesh feeders you can also use frozen fruits. The frozen element is great for babies who are teething and are looking for something cool to soothe sore gums.
Frozen fruits can also be a great sensory learning activity as babies learn a lot about shape and texture by putting things in their mouths.
Frozen Drinks & Yoghurt
Yoghurt and things like milkshakes are great for flavour and nutrition for babies but they are obviously hard to put into a mesh nibbler. By simply freezing the liquids into cubes in an ice cube tray you can then incorporate the frozen form into a mesh nibbler and give it to your baby.
Frozen forms of things such as yoghurts are perfect for teething babies as they are cool and soothing to sore gums.
Cooked Vegetables
Cooked vegetables that are warm or have been cooled are a great way of introducing new flavours and foods to your baby. Items such as roasted sweet potato, butternut squash and courgette are great fillings for a mesh nibbler.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to roast your vegetables you can steam them and let them cool before putting them into a mesh nibbler.
Foods To Avoid Using In A Mesh Nibbler
While there aren’t many things you should avoid using in your mesh nibbler there are still some foods that aren’t appropriate or are dangerous to your baby.
Liquidy Foods
While your baby might enjoy things like yoghurts and porridge these aren’t as easy to use in a mesh feeder. Mostly because the liquid would just simply seep back out and cause a lot of mess.
If you want to implement yoghurt into the mesh feeder look at freezing it in cubes to then put into the mesh feeder for your baby to enjoy.
Raisins & Small Dried Fruits
Small dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas are great for children to snack on but they are better given individually by a parent instead of packing into a mesh feeder. Especially since the smaller dried fruits could make their way through the mesh as a whole and cause choking.
Anything With Large Seeds
There are plenty of fruits that include seeds from grapes ( sometimes) apple cores, oranges and more. If you wish to include any of the vegetable and fruits that have seeds in them make sure you remove these before placing in the mesh feeder.
The seeds will pass through the holes of the mesh and into your babies mouth which can cause a choking hazard for your baby.