Accept the Mess: Why Messy Meals Matter

I don't know about you, but with my first baby I would look at him with yogurt all over his face and question my choice in allowing him to get messy.

Messy meals are exactly that... MESSY but there is actually a purpose behind the mess.

So, let's unpack the benefits of messy play at mealtimes with your infant and explore all of the developmental considerations of this type of play.

Before we get started, I have to highlight the MVP of messy meals and that's Catchy! This highchair catcher is a GAME CHANGER during meals in general, and definitely messy meals. Save on a Catchy for your home using code “INFANTINSIGHTS" at checkout here. 

The mess your baby makes during meals seems like chaos and unproductive, but actually it's super productive. Allowing our babies to get messy when starting solids develops so many skills needed in later infancy and life. 

So, instead of resisting the urge to wipe your baby's face every 5 seconds, keep these things in mind because the MESS MATTERS!

First, Messy Meals Build Food Confidence

When babies are allowed to touch, squish, smear, and even toss their food, they’re in the driver’s seat. This kind of autonomy helps babies feel more comfortable around new textures, colors, and tastes. There is research to show that sensory exposure, before tasting, is key to food acceptance in babies and even toddlers. Messy play helps reduce picky eating tendencies down the road because the baby feels safe and in control during the experience. Our babies love to be in control during mealtime, so place the foods on their tray and give them free reign! Staying nearby to monitor your baby for safety, and even partaking in the same foods they are eating is best practice. Sure, a mess will be made but your baby will LOVE exploring their foods in this way.

Messy Play Encourages Sensory Regulation Skills

Food is one of the richest sensory experiences your baby encounters in their first year. Think about it... our baby is exploring temperature, texture, smell, taste, and visual stimulation all while eating. Messy mealtimes give our babies repeated opportunities to process and organize this information, which supports healthy sensory development. If a baby gets used to sticky avocado on their fingers, they’re more likely to tolerate other sensory input in the future too. For example, if your baby is accustomed to wet foods and textures, then they may not be as adverse to wet textures in their natural environments. Or if your baby loves exploring mashed potatoes on their tray, then mud may not give them a problem one day when they are exploring on their own. Exploring food through messy play is a great preparatory to engaging in sensory experiences in daily life.

Messy Play is Also a Wake Window Activity

Feeding in the first year is not at all about calories. Feeding in the first year is about learning & exploring. The majority of your baby's calories comes from their breastmilk or formula, so be sure to look at messy mealtimes through the lens of a wake window. Messy mealtime play is a very productive wake window activity because so much learning is happening. This activity gives the baby something purposeful to do while providing mental and physical stimulation. For babies nearing nap time, this kind of active play can help them burn off just enough energy for a good rest. Be sure to allow your baby to explore solid foods approximately 1 hour after their breast or bottle feeding 1-2 times per day. Your baby will have a blast, and you will too!

Messy Meals = Motor Exploration & Skill Development

Grabbing fistfuls of mashed potatoes? Pinching blueberries? Swiping food off the tray? Those might look like disasters waiting to happen, but they’re actually fine motor milestones in progress. Mealtime play helps babies develop:

• Hand-eye coordination
• Grasp patterns (like pincer grasp and tool usage)
• Bilateral hand use
• Wrist rotation and control
• Isolated hand usage 
• Crossing midline 
• and MUCH MORE

All of these skills are foundational for future tasks like writing, dressing, and self-feeding. Allow your baby to explore with their hands, an easy-to-grasp utensil, or even a teether! You will be surprised at how well your baby begins to work with their hands after they are exposed to new foods in this way.

Messy Meals Reduce Mealtime Pressure for Everyone

When babies are allowed to explore food freely, without the pressure to eat a certain amount or behave a certain way, it creates a more relaxed atmosphere for both baby and parent. This positive experience builds a healthy relationship with food that can last a lifetime. When offering your baby new foods or food for the first time:

• Try not to stare in anticipation for them to take a bite 
• Side beside your baby instead of in front of your baby 
• Eat alongside your baby 
• Watch your baby's cues and let them lead

Messy play at mealtime is important, but I don't want your kitchen to suffer like it did with my first born! With my second child, we used the Catchy and it was a game changer for messy play at meals! These highchair catchers are made to make clean-up a breeze so your baby can explore, drop, and squish without worry. It’s a win-win for babies and parents. Use code "INFANTINSIGHTS" at checkout to save on The Catchy.

So next time you’re tempted to stop the food flinging or wipe your baby's mouth, take a breath. Let the mess happen. Trust that those tiny, messy moments are doing big things for your baby’s growth and development. We are always rooting for you! ❤️ Learn more about how to introduce solid food with your baby and avoid picky eating inside our Free First Foods Guide.