Wean without waste: keeping food off the floor (and in the budget)

Every parent knows the maths of weaning: you lovingly prepare a meal, and half of it goes over the side of the highchair. With grocery prices where they are, that adds up fast — and it's a lot of good kai in the bin.

Small changes that make a real dent:

• Catch, don't sweep. A catch-tray under baby's hands means dropped food lands clean and can go straight back on the plate — parents report cutting food waste by up to 75% this way.
• Serve small, refill often. Two pieces on the tray at a time beats a full plate launched overboard.
• Cook once, portion many. Freeze purées and finger foods in cube trays — defrost only what today's appetite needs.
• Yesterday's dinner is today's lunch. Most family meals adapt — skip the salt, soften the texture.
• Reusable beats disposable — wipeable bibs and mats replace paper towels by the roll.

Less waste, less cost, less guilt — and baby still gets the full messy learning experience.