How can I Keep my Baby busy while I Cook?
Older babies can make it themselves. Putting the food in and pouring it out will become a game that keep babies and toddlers busy while you cook. Make a sensory sandbox using items from your pantry. Lay out a towel and large tub and dump some oatmeal or flour in it. Just a little goes a long way.
What do you do with leftover baby food?
What’s a mom to do when your little one graduates from baby food to table food and you still have a pantry full of puree? Sure, you could donate it to a food bank or a parent with a young tot—or you could cook up some delicious dishes using that leftover baby food.
Are there any recipes that use baby food as an ingredient?
Yep, you read that right: There are lots of tasty, adult-friendly recipes that use baby food as a (super-convenient) secret ingredient. Here, we’ve rounded up some scrumptious recipe hacks using infant oatmeal, rice cereal and fruit and veggie purees.
Why is it so hard to cook with a baby?
But keeping the kids (especially a baby) happily occupied (and out from under my feet) while I’m cooking is often a challenge in itself. Babies especially are difficult to occupy, because they need constant supervision and are just in the needy stage in general. They need mom!
How do I entertain my baby while cooking?
9 Ways To Keep Your Toddler Occupied So You Can Actually Cook DinnerHave A Dance Party. ... Make A Busy Box. ... Give Them A Helpful Task To Complete. ... Give Them An Activity To Do Next To You. ... Let Them "Cook," Too. ... Let Them "Finger Paint" In A High Chair. ... Cooking Time = Clean-Up Time. ... Utilize Your Tupperware Drawer/Cabinet.More items...•
What do I do with my baby when I get things done?
How To Get Stuff Done In Newborn TimeWrite Your Tasks Down. ... Delegate, Outsource, Prioritise, Ask For Help. ... Take Advantage Of Ten Minutes. ... Use The Happy Awake Time. ... Don't Check On Your Sleeping Baby. ... Get A Good Baby Carrier. ... Boost Your Oxytocin.
Can I cook while holding baby?
Use caution when cooking on the stove top, as grabby hands and heat don't mix. Consider putting baby down or switching with another caregiver (if available) if you are working over a hot stove frying or sautéing. It's safest to keep all limbs and hands out of reach of anything that could burn.
Where do you put a one year old when cooking?
For the first year and a half, the best way to involve little ones in your cooking is just to let them observe you cooking! Bring them into the kitchen while you cook. Set them up someplace safe — a highchair, playpen, bouncer — and give them a few adult-sized cooking tools to bang around.
How do you get stuff done with a 1 year old?
Giving him the whole basket, or even a few things together, isn't necessary. Instead, stretch these items as long as they can go by giving him one item at a time. Give simple items that don't need your help. The point is to keep him occupied on his own with toys that don't need your attention.
How do you multitask with a newborn?
Nine Tips for Multitasking as a Mompreneur with a New BabyBe Ready to Jump Back In Work. ... Get Help with Childcare. ... Take Time Off. ... Outsource. ... Use Video Conferencing. ... Make the Most of Voice Recognition. ... Talk to Clients While Cooking. ... Take a Nap in the Day.
Can I leave my baby while I shower?
It's usually fine to leave a young baby alone in her crib while you take a quick shower, for example, but this doesn't apply to swings and bouncy seats, which aren't as safe. (If you're really nervous, you can always tote baby in her car seat into the bathroom with you.)
Where can I put my baby while I shower?
A young baby is often perfectly content to sit in a bouncy chair or a car seat — placed on the floor, not on the counter. A play saucer is another great option for keeping your baby safe and occupied while you shower.
Where do you put babies to do chores?
PLACE THE BABY IN A BABY CARRIER OR SLING Use a baby carrier or sling when you need to do light housework but still want to keep the baby close to you. Just don't do housework that involves chemicals, use safe practices and common sense.
When can you start cooking with baby?
Your child can start cooking as early as 18 months or 2 years old. Real cooking skills can be taught to toddlers, depending on the child's maturity and the parent's supervision. At Kids Cook Real Food, we teach bananas and butter knives, starting officially at age 2.
Can I bake with a one year old?
Yes, toddlers can bake. They don't need to be our assistants, or sit and watch while we do all the work. We can prepare the environment and assist them. As I've observed in Montessori classrooms and as I have done with my other toddlers, I have put out everything Otto (22 months) needs to bake muffins.
How do you entertain a 6 month old when cooking?
6:538:54HOW TO ENTERTAIN A BABY (6 MONTHS +) EMILY NORRISYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're doing lots of baby led weaning. He loves trying out new textures. Trying out new foods.MoreAnd we're doing lots of baby led weaning. He loves trying out new textures. Trying out new foods. And every meal is like an experience. Water play is also a great way to entertain your baby Jackson's
How do you get something done with a toddler and a newborn?
But there are ways to cope and successfully manage a toddler while caring for an infant.Enroll Your Toddler in a Preschool Program. ... Set Up a Toddler Area. ... Try to Coordinate Naps. ... Tell Your Toddler Stories. ... Arm Yourself With Busy Bags. ... Wear Your Baby. ... Prioritize Quality Time With Your Toddler. ... Let Your Toddler Help.More items...•
How do I clean my house with a newborn?
Things To Be Kept CleanAlways make sure that the floors are clean. If you have carpet, the carpet should be steam cleaned prior to the baby's arrival. ... Everything should be dusted. ... Clean the kitchen. ... Have the nursery spotless and dust free.Make sure all linens are washed.Disinfect the home.
How do you keep your house organized with a newborn?
A Few More TipsCreate a daily cleaning schedule.Vacuum before nap time. The white noise might just put your kid to sleep.Accept help whenever offered.Get into freezer cooking.Keep hands free for chores by wearing the kid in the house.
How do you get something out of a crying baby?
How to get things done with a babyHow to get things done with a baby.Do just one thing while the baby naps.Bring the baby around the house with you.Ask people to come over to help.Lower your standards (at least for now)Do small things at a time.Challenge yourself.Conclusion.
Baby-Wearing for Newborns (up to 6 months)
Wrap or sling carriers are ideal for newborns and babies six months or younger. These soft wraps position the baby close to your chest or on your hip. I loved this stage of baby-wearing; my son was safely snuggled close to my chest and I was able to pack my daughter’s preschool lunches and wash dishes with him asleep in the carrier.
Baby-Wearing for Infants (6 to 12 months)
Soft-structured carriers (the popular buckle-style carriers and less-known Mei Tai) are best for baby-wearing in the kitchen from six to 12 months. While most of these carriers are designed to allow baby-wearing for up to 36 months, I found my little man too wriggly to wear safely in this style of carrier after about a year.
Baby-Wearing for Toddlers (12 months and up)
My son is nearly 20 months now and more than mobile (I can hardly keep up at times). These days he’d much rather play with his big sister while I cook dinner than be worn. But on the rare occasion that he can’t be consoled and Dad is working late, I’ll hoist him onto my back in our hiking backpack while I finish cooking dinner.
What do you do with baby while cooking?
Below, I have listed 5 of my favorite ideas for how to keep that baby busy while cooking! But there are so many more!
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1. Cook while your kids are sleeping
If your kids still take regular naps in the afternoon, the best time to do your once a month cooking might be during nap time or after bedtime. Kristi, our contributing vegetarian writer, describes how she makes this work in her How I Once a Month Cook post.
2. Take the kids out of the house for a day
One option would be to have Dad take the kids out for a fun day one Saturday a month while you do your once a month cooking. Or, enlist the help of family and friends. Can Grandma watch the kids for a day? Perhaps you have a friend with whom you can swap babysitting time.
3. Entertain the kids while you cook
Sometimes it is not possible to find a way to get the kids out of the house. If this is the case, maybe a teen in your neighborhood can entertain your kids while you cook. Or you could invite a friend over and take turns helping with the cooking and the kids.
Inexpensive Ways to Entertain Your Kids While You Cook
Playdough – Make your own playdough, or purchase some and get rolling pins and cookie cutters then the kids can bake while you cook.
4. Involve them!
If all else fails, involve the kids in what you are doing. I find this to be the least efficient method of getting a lot of cooking done, but sometimes it is the most rewarding. My kids love to pull up a chair and watch what I am doing.
First Baby Food: Peas
Great for busy moms and dads to make a bunch on a Sunday and freeze for the weeks ahead. This can be used with other first foods for your baby! Apples or pears are fun or even green beans. Make sure it is mild enough for your baby's developing digestive system. Brussels sprouts or broccoli probably aren't the best first foods.
Homemade Pureed Sweet Potato Baby Food
A quick and easy method for providing baby food for your little one without any added preservatives, sugar, or salt. Can store cooked puree for 3 days in refrigerator or 3 months in freezer.
Zucchini Baby Food
Simple zucchini puree for one of your baby's first foods. The rule of thumb is to give your baby a new food for 2 to 3 days before introducing another to rule out any potential allergies. Once you've given zucchini for 2 to 3 days, you can combine it with another vegetable you've already introduced, such as carrot.
Toddler Muffins
Mini muffins for finicky toddlers with the addition of fruit and veggies. My son is 2 and has been eating these for a year. I always keep a supply in the freezer, he loves them frozen especially when new teeth are coming in! Adults love them too. Great for play groups! Recipe makes 24 mini muffins or 12 regular-size muffins.
Baby-Led Weaning Oatmeal Bites
These oatmeal bites are perfect for a baby who is working on baby-led weaning or a toddler who is self-feeding. These bites are packed with protein, fats, and nutrients! Once your child has mastered different fruits or nut butters, you can mix them into the cooked oatmeal.
Roasted Butternut Squash for Baby
After about a month of eating solids, I wanted to start introducing more flavors to my son. Butternut squash is a great first food, and here it is roasted with a little olive oil and thyme for a tasty puree that any baby will love! Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Baby Food: Plum
Plums are a perfect staple ingredient to baby's diet, as well as great for mixing with several different foods. Plums are good refrigerated for 2 to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
Spice Cake
Amanda at Crafty Cooking Mama conjured up this cake recipe as a result of her extreme distaste for wasting food. She was able to pack three different flavors of baby food into this one fluffy, moist cake, and finishes it off with flavors of cinnamon and vanilla.
Strawberry-Lemonade Donuts
Using Lil’ Bits Strawberry Banana Oatmeal baby cereal, Danielle at Busy Mom’s Helper created these clever strawberry-lemonade donuts, beautiful and bright enough to be the star of the dessert table at a baby shower or tea party. (You probably won’t hear any complaints from your family if you serve them for breakfast, either!)
Butternut Squash Soup
You only need four ingredients to pull off this show-stopper of a soup, and yes, one of them is butternut squash baby food. It’s the perfect savory addition to any dinner party menu—and it’s ready in just minutes.
Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal Crepes
Crepes and baby food are the perfect partners in this delectable recipe from Adventures of Mel. She artfully uses single-grain baby oatmeal to pull together some of the most drool-worthy crepes we’ve ever seen. Fill them with her delicious filling and top with fruit, and bam—breakfast is served.
Glazed Peach Donuts
Mandi at Moments with Mandi has created an ace in the hole with these glazed peach donuts, which use a yogurt-based baby food for the dough and a fruit puree in the glaze. This recipe is simple enough that you can even get your toddler to help out with the baking.
Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles
Homemade popsicles make for an easy, tasty treat for kids and parents alike—and it just so happens that yogurt-based baby food is the perfect ingredient for whipping up these frozen desserts. Danielle at Busy Moms Helper offers creative recipes for peach lemonade and mixed fruit popsicles using leftover baby food. Simply mix, freeze and enjoy!
What Is the Theory Behind Spritzing Ribs?
Enthusiasts say spritzing ribs as they cook improves their flavor, tenderness, and color.
But Does the Theory Hold True?
Some say the spritz will cool the temperature so the sugar in the rub won’t burn.
The Spritzed Vs. Unspritzed Rib Test
In the following video, Chef Tom of All Things BBQ did a comparison to see what difference there could be between spritzed and non-spritzed St. Louis slabs of ribs of equal weight and size.
What the Pitmasters Say
Tuffy Stone keeps a spritz bottle of apple juice near the smoker for flavor and moisture.
Tips for Spritzing Ribs and Getting the Best Results
To perfectly smoke ribs, a low-and-slow cook over a period of hours is required. Across those hours lies the potential for the meat to dry out.
Three Best Rib Spritz Recipes
For the most part, spritzes are basically sugar water mixes sometimes fueled by fats, vinegars, or alcohols. Some will add in a bit of the marinade or dry rub. The three top spritzes we found:
Conclusion
If you subscribe to the ‘ if you’re lookin’ you ain’t cookin’ school of thought, you’ll want to go the water pan or Texas crutch method for holding moisture close to your ribs as they smoke.