Most baby’s are at least a little slob-like. Babies by nature aren’t concerned with staying tidy — nor should they be. But what about mealtime?

It’s not unusual for more food to end up…

• On the baby
• On you
• On the floor
• On the walls
• Under the couch (don’t ask)
• Down the side of the highchair

Then in your baby’s mouth.

It happens. Babies like to mash and mix, dump and spit, play and laugh; so grab some cloths and hold on tight becuase mealtime for the first few months; maybe longer is 97.5% likely to be a mess.

Don’t try to teach meal manners at this age (under a year) because your baby’s just experimenting — not messing around to be obnoxious. What you can do is minimize the mess. Feed him in a diaper only. Use bowls and the proper baby spoons — not plates and large spoons. Stay calm the more fun you think this is the bigger a kick your baby will get out of it. Don’t be mean or make sad faces just stay calm.

The two biggies: Use good manners when you eat. You might think, “My baby’s too young to notice” but he does notice everything you say and do. If your family has tidy manners it’s likely your baby will too (eventually). The second is don’t take away his spoon. He may be messy and he may not get a whole lot of food into his mouth but if you stop the process he’ll never learn. He needs to be allowed to have some food independence.

What is the messiest food your baby ever ate (or eats now)? Cedar’s was those darn teething cookies. All over his face, me, and the house. It’s been six years and I swear I still find cookie globs around. That stuff is like cement.