Dinnertime doesn’t have to be difficult with a baby… Just strategic! Here are two simple ideas that I have found helpful in keeping Veronika entertained, both during meal prep and during the meal itself.

If you’re cooking for grown-ups or older siblings, that’s the perfect time to park your baby in the high chair. Right around 20 minutes before mealtime, Veronika gets fussy. Once she’s seated, she can enjoy watching the action while I narrate her through the cooking motions. Better yet, I make her my taste tester!

Thanks to Baby Led Weaning, I’m not afraid to offer Veronika foods that aren’t “baby foods.” She can handle soft-cooked pasta pieces as I prepare a larger batch.

Or I scatter about a few pieces of breakfast cereal (or try those very popular puffs). Veronika loves being my “tester” as I prep around her!

When it’s time to eat, we invite a friend to dinner. Bring along a toy that’s easily wiped clean, and make it a special dinner guest.

The first time we played this game, I showed Veronika how to “feed” the toy.

Pretty soon she was cutely mimicking the motion!

She loved having the company, and when she grew bored of the food, she could play with the toy!

This is a great way to give yourself or big kids time to finish the meal before having to whisk baby off for a cleaning.

How do you entertain baby in the kitchen? Please share in the comments!