When and Why Do Kids Need Snacks?

Understand the when and why of snack attacks.

Dec 1, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Children are growing humans, and this means that they’ll need plenty of food to make sure their little bodies have everything they need to continue developing into healthy kids. What kids are fed for snack time may differ for each child, depending on their developmental stage, nutritional needs, and eating habits, but there’s no denying that they all need (and love) snacks! 

When Do Babies Start Eating Snacks?

Babies can generally start having snacks as soon as they’re able to eat solid foods. In fact, solid foods will likely be introduced as a snack to begin with, as an entire meal would be too much to consume from the get-go. For many babies, this will generally start around the age of six months. Grab a full-coverage bib for whenever you start the weaning journey to keep messes at bay and fun on the table! 

When Should You Give Your Baby Snacks? 

There’s no single answer for when to give a baby snacks, as this will depend on their age as well as how much they’ve eaten throughout the day. However, experts recommend about 2-3 snacks a day in addition to meals for babies who are 6-12 months of age. Feeding should happen roughly 5-6 times a day, so 2-3 snacks should keep your little one satisfied in between meals. Some kids may want or need an additional snack between lunch and dinner if mealtimes are far apart.

Small snacks should be offered regularly for very young children, as their stomachs can’t hold as much food. This means that they’re likely to get hungry more quickly and frequently. Snacks contribute to your babe’s overall food intake even when they may not be able to consume much in one sitting. 

What Kind of Snacks Should You Give a Baby?

Snacks should provide actual nutritional value but not take the place of a meal. Snacks should also be age and food stage appropriate. For much younger babies, snacks may look like soft fruits with yogurt “dip,” while older kids can handle heartier snacks such as quesadilla bites with salsa. Serving a snack version of a larger meal can be helpful for getting weaning children used to the textures and flavors that they’ll eventually face in larger meals. 

Snack time can be an exciting adventure–especially for younger ones who are just starting the weaning process! Snag a full-length baby bib from Bibbrella so that the both of you can focus on the fun parts of snacking instead of the mess. Bibbrella bibs are unique for the full-coverage that they offer and the velcro strap makes them perfect for on-the-go use, too!