How to Include Your Baby in Family Meals

Start with breakfast or lunch.

It may be easiest to have the baby eat with the family at lunchtime or Saturday breakfast, rather than trying to get everyone ready at dinnertime, said Dr. Williamson. "Everyone should be eating together when the baby starts food, because they are so curious and observant," she said. "It's going to be super messy, but it's more about doing it consistently."

This is a time when you can help kids set a relationship with food and with the family meal, Dr. Burack said. Babies want to touch, smear, mix and even put food in their hair. Even conservative pediatricians and psychologists now agree that parents should let it go and be more free with meals. "Let them feel around with their food," she said. "If they're holding the spoon upside down, don't correct it — allow a baby to process and enjoy it."

Once a baby is 4 to 6 months old, she can either be in a highchair or a parent's arms. Some parents prefer to hold baby at the table, especially if they've been away from her all day, Dr. Williamson said. Others prefer a highchair.

If you're using a highchair, things can get even messier. Dr. Burack pointed out that many babies see the highchair as an experiment with gravity, as their perspective changes with the newfound height. They're thinking: "If I throw this food, is it going to make a big noise?" Instead of reacting dramatically, try to view their experiments as part of the learning process and play along.

Learn how to cook for a mixed-age crowd.

If you are serving zucchini spears to a toddler, you can puree that same zucchini for the infant. Steamed peas and carrots are good options for early finger foods, and pieces of tofu or chicken can help with the pincer grasp, when your baby is ready for them.

When her kids were just starting solids, Banuelos would cook extra portions, puree them and freeze them in ice cube trays or cupcake tins. "That way, I always had something to pull out even if I didn't have a lot of time to precook a batch of baby food," she said. "When what I was cooking wasn't conducive to pureeing, I sometimes tried to color-coordinate our meals. For example, if we were eating broccoli and chicken, I'd try to offer a green puree to the baby."

Try this sample meal plan for 10 months and up.

Glazed salmon, brown rice and broccoli

Pat salmon filets dry. Whisk together a little maple syrup and soy sauce and pour over the fish. Bake for 15 minutes or until soft and cooked through.

Easy Baby Led Weaning Meal Planner for Babies & Toddlers | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Menu