Messy Eating While Starting Solids Made Easier for Baby’s Growth and Your Peace of Mind

Does starting solids have to be messy? Here’s why a little chaos helps

You always see it on social media, let your child get messy while eating! Do we agree? Yes… but we know that you might need a balance. It is okay if you don’t want your child to make a huge mess every meal when they are starting solids. We want you to decide what works best for your family in the moment. Let us help you bridge the gap to figure out how to be messy on your own terms by talking about our favorite hacks for cleaner mealtimes.

Why mealtime mess matters for babies learning to eat solid foods

Messy meals build coordination, one squish at a time

Here is a quick reminder on why messy eating is important for babies! Try to remember this information when your eyes are twitching at mealtime, as another food hits the floor.

Letting your child get their hands dirty by picking up food and self-feeding helps them develop hand-eye coordination and improved dexterity. The more practice a child has doing these tasks independently, the stronger and more coordinated their muscles and movements become. Practice makes perfect! 

What spilled peas can teach: problem-solving at the high chair

Self-feeding helps babies build problem-solving skills. Learning to eat and properly get food from their tray to their mouths with their fingers or a utensil is all about experimenting with how to do something correctly. A lot of food may not initially make it to their mouth, but that’s how they figure out how to make changes! Children naturally learn that they need to make adjustments to be more successful, and it is so impressive to watch them discover that through food!

Confidence starts with a spoon (even when it lands on the floor)

Allowing kids to self-feed, even messily, fosters autonomy and self-confidence. When they are allowed to control how much food they eat, they learn to listen to their own body’s hunger cues to decide when they are full. They also build their confidence as they improve their ability to aim food into their mouth and scoop up their yogurt successfully with practice. It is an impressive accumulation of their coordination and problem-solving skills merging together! 

Food is a sensory adventure, let them explore it

Sensory exploration! Children learn through their senses. Exploring food with their hands (and sometimes full body) helps them be exposed to and understand different textures, temperatures, sounds, smells and ultimately tastes. We know that exposure to a variety of foods and getting more comfortable with them is also helpful in reducing pickiness later in life. The earlier your baby has an opportunity to try a new texture, the less resistant they typically are to it as they get older!

Do you want to learn more about how to help your baby engage all their senses at mealtimes? Learn more about why this is important and how to do it in a recent blog post. 

Simple ways to keep mealtime manageable when starting solids

While we now know that mess has its place and importance, that doesn’t mean you need to feel like you’re in cleanup mode after every meal. Here are a few strategies to support your child’s learning and your sanity.

Try a full-coverage bib or smock that works for you

Invest in a bib that covers not just your baby’s chest, but also their arms and lap. It’s a barrier between food and clothing, and many brands are designed to go right into the washing machine. We have some favorites if you want to check them out. You can pick and choose when to use this, it doesn’t have to be every meal.

Place a mat under the high chair (your floors will thank you)

Silicone mats, washable rugs, or something like the “catchy” (explore here) can make cleanup easier. Just pick it up and shake it over the garbage can or wipe it down quickly.

Choose easy-to-wipe tools for less stress later

Go for smooth, non-porous placemats, utensils, or trays that are easier to clean. Avoid fabric or anything with hard-to-wash texture.

Suction plates can help, even if food still flies sometimes

Suction plates help keep meals in place, but keep in mind, this phase often includes throwing and tipping as part of learning. Totally normal.

Keep wipes close and expectations gentle

Having all-surface wipes nearby helps prevent dried-on sauces and saves you from scrubbing later. A quick clean after each meal makes a big difference.

Dress for the mess

Offer messier meals in outfits you don’t mind getting dirty, or skip the outfit altogether if that works better for you.

Wipe gently and wait until the end (if you can)

Wipe your baby down after the meal with a warm, damp cloth. Try to wait until they’re finished so they can stay focused and tolerate the textures on their hands and face. Singing or using a soft cloth can help make cleanup more peaceful.

Plan messy meals for bath days (pro tip!)

Save extra saucy or drippy meals for the nights when bath time is already planned. It simplifies cleanup and makes the transition easier.

Offer just a few pieces at a time to keep it calm

Sometimes too much food at once can feel overwhelming for babies. A smaller amount may help them stay engaged—and reduce throwing.

Watch for cues, sometimes the mess means they’re just done

A lot of mess happens when babies are full or tired. If they start flinging food, it might be time to end the meal. Sometimes, they may give us some clues to why they are refusing food, but not always. You know your baby best—trust those instincts.

Don't want to deal with the mess right now? That's okay too

We're big believers in balance. Some days, you'll have the energy to let your baby explore and get messy, and other days, a neat, spoon-fed meal might be exactly what your family needs. That doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. Trust your rhythm, your capacity, and your baby's cues. There's no way to do this, and you don't have to get it perfect everytime. 

Need a wardrobe without the price tag?

If you're tired of buying brand-new clothes just to see them covered in yogurt and avocado by day two, we get it. For when it's time to refrresh your little one's wardrobe, check out Carousel. They offer personalized bundles of gently preloved baby and children's clothing, perfect for everyday messes, growth spurts, and saving time (and money).  

🏆 Bonus tip: got a dog? let them do their thing (kind of)

We’re only half kidding… but many parents say their dog is the real MVP when it comes to food cleanup. 🐾

The bottom line on messy eating and why it’s key for baby’s growth

Letting your baby get messy at mealtime has real benefits. It’s part of how they learn to eat, move, and trust themselves. At the same time, we know you’ve got a life to live—and a kitchen to clean. So let yourself find the middle ground. Do what works today, and adjust tomorrow if you need to. That’s the Bébé Foodie way.

Written by Lauren Remondino, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

Feeding Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Lactation Counselor & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Lauren Remondino is a pediatric feeding specialist and mom, with a background in speech-language pathology and lactation counseling. After years working in top children’s hospitals, she now brings her clinical expertise—and real-life parenting perspective, to Bébé Foodie. Lauren works closely on developing our How to Serve guides and feeding support content, helping parents feel confident at every stage of their baby’s food journey. She’s all about keeping things realistic, flexible, and supportive, because feeding isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when you’re juggling nap schedules and snack requests.

This blog post is for information purposes only and shouldn’t be used as personal, health, nutritional, or medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician before making any decisions about your child's health or readiness for various foods.