The yoghurt is in your baby’s hair, the broccoli has been crushed into the highchair and very little appears to have reached their mouth. It may look like a failed meal, but playing with food can be an important part of learning to eat. Touching, squeezing and picking up different foods gives babies information about texture while helping them practise the coordination required for self-feeding. Before rushing to wipe every sticky finger, it is worth knowing what your baby may actually be learning from the mess.
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