Tips To Ensure Mealtime Safety

Tableware:
While selecting tableware for your little one, keep in mind these safety tips.
• Use place mats instead of table cloths as small children can easily pull cloths off the table.
• The utensils used by your baby should be unbreakable and if plastic made, cross check the food grade quality.
• Use cups with broad, weighted bases as they are less likely to spill. Cups with easy grip handles and screw-on lids can make learning to drink easier and less messy.

Bibs
While purchasing a bib, keep in mind the age of your child and the food items you plan to serve. Plastic baked terry bibs are good to start with. Bibs with pouches at the bottom or plastic bib with crumb catcher will ensure less of mess. As the child gets older, go in for bibs with sleeves, which protect the baby’s front and arms.

Highchair
From the age of about six months or as the child starts sitting up, it is time to consider a high chair with a fixed tray like table. A rim around the edge of the tray will stop some crumbs falling on the floor. A wipe clean seat cover is a must. A comfortable restraining strap or bar is important to stop the baby from slipping down between tray and seat. Always strap the child into the highchair with a safety harness to restrain the baby from slipping down between tray and seat.

Check temperature
• The preparation and consumption of food and drinks is a common cause of numerous accidents and injuries.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from table edges.
• Never carry or hold a child and hot liquids or food at the same time.
• Test all heated liquids and food before giving it to a child or placing it within their reach.
• If using a microwave, always thoroughly mix and test food’s temperature before serving.

Cleaning equipment
Once the child moves towards solid foods, sterilizing eating equipment doesn’t remain a necessity. But given the bacteria and germs in the environment, it is imperative that all feeding equipment be thoroughly cleaned.

• Wash the cups, spoons, plates and the bottles thoroughly, cleaning them with warm water. Carefully scrub sippers and cups with hot soapy water. Take extra care to free all the dried milk or juice at the bottom of the cups. Place them upside down on a rack.

• Once dried, all feeding equipment should be protected from dust and dirt until used again. Store them in a clean covered container. Make sure that all parts are thoroughly dry before storing away since mildew and bacteria can grow quickly on wet equipment.

Washing fruits and vegetables:

If you plan to serve fruits or vegetables raw, wash them thoroughly. Do not use soap or detergent while cleaning them. Clean skinned fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, melons and apples with a vegetable brush and running lukewarm water. Soak more delicate fruits and vegetables like lettuce and berries for a few minutes in lukewarm water, then rinse thoroughly.