Answers to Your Questions
What is Little Bitesize?
Little Bitesize guides you through the first few years of weaning food for your child. Making it easier to feed your child freshly made, delicious, nutrient-dense food. Recognising the importance of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life, Little Bitesize designed meals provide a balanced diet to support children's neurological and physical development as they grow.
What makes Little Bitesize different from other store bought baby food brands?
We not only use FRESH ingredients, we first balance our menu to make sure we include a wide range of fruits, legumes, greens, grains, root veggies, spices, and fats. No nasties added. Where as most of the store bought baby food meals are processed to be shelf stable and may have a shelf life of up to two years.
Why is nutrition important now? Doesn't that only matter once my baby is older?
A child's first 1000 days is a critical window of opportunity to shape your child's nutrition. It is a key factor that can positively shape their future health.
What age is correct to start Little Bitesize?
We know every baby is ready for different textures at different times. That's why we staged our meals to make it easy for you to decide what's right for your child. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), babies should progress from puree to mashed, to normal textures in the 6-12 month period as suitable to their development. Starting Solids Plans and Packs are suitable from the moment bub starts solids (by 6 months of age, not before 4 months). These are a smooth texture designed for this early stage of solids introduction. As bubs start to eat the puree with ease, they can progress to coarser textured food (mash) to ensure appropriate speech development. Following this, progress to lumps and bigger pieces, eventually onto finger foods and family style meals.
This is why we have created the Second Bites range, and it will grow with your child. We usually see members start at 6 months and continue to use the same meals through to toddlerhood. Our meals grow with your child- puree, mash or serve as finger food. The meals also make great meal starters. Mix with eggs, toss with pasta, make pancakes… we could really go on all day with this. We have determined these suggestions by talking to other Little Bitesize parents.
Stage 1: Smooth single ingredient purees. These are great for babes just starting solids. (By 6 months, not before 4 months)
Stage 2: Smooth multi-ingredient purees.
Stage 3: Textured multi-ingredient mashed meals with seeds or grains.
Stage 4: Chunky mashed mix of multiple ingredients Finger Foods: Nutrient-dense bites
When is my baby ready to begin solids?
The current Infant Feeding Guidelines by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) recommend commencing solids at around 6 months. But some babies show signs beforehand. It is not recommended to start before 4 months.
Helpful hints to know if they are ready
a. Has good head and neck control
b. Can sit upright when supported
c. Shows an interest in food, a great example is that your baby is interested in what you are eating and tries to grab at the food
d. Has lost the 'tongue thrust reflex' and can keep solid food in mouth and swallow it (not push it out with the tongue)
Do not delay introduction to solids beyond six months as this can be harmful for future development. It is best to speak with a medical practitioner or Accredited Practising Dietitian to see if you bub is ready to start.
What is the difference between 39 days to Starting Solids Plan and Baby's First Bites?
We know that each child and family have different needs and that's why we have crafted two different starting solids products. 39 days to Starting Solids Plan is a comprehensive approach, containing 72 x 25g portions (24 single-ingredient portions x 3 servings each) of frozen puréed fruits and vegetables along with a easy to use guide to hold your hand through the process. Our unique comprehensive guide, outlines the entire 39 days and guides you through each day, advising what to feed next and some information about the nutrients as well as an allergy checklist. If you are just looking for food to simplify your day then Baby's First Bites Packs are for you, letting you chose what to feed baby when.
What's inside the 39 days to Starting Solids Plan Box?
You will receive;
- A comprehensive 24 single-ingredient (72 portions) 25 gram purées made from fresh low-allergy vegetables and fruits snap frozen.
- Cooler bag & ice packs to keep the food cold.
- Allergy checklist
- Weekly planner on which ingredient and when, and the benefits of each ingredient.
- Booklet with questions and answers.
- An eBook guide on how to guide you through the process of starting solids.
Is the food made fresh?
Each week, we shop, prep and cook meals using the same preparation methods you'd use at home. So skip the planning, shopping, chopping, steaming, slicing, boiling, baking. We use only fresh and whole ingredients and NEVER use heat treated pre-processed purees like other baby brands.
Where and how is Little Bitesize food produced?
All our food is handmade fresh from scratch in a kitchen facility in compliance with the highest possible health and safety standards and health and safety are our top priority. We are cerftified by the NSW food authority and COVID safe.
We do not use any additives, preservatives, flavours, thickeners or fillers and uses the most natural form of preservation without the need for harmful heat treatment.
Why is Little Bitesize food frozen?
We flash freeze our food immediately after prepping and cooking, to be sure we’re locking in all of the freshness, nutrients and flavour so there is no negative impact on the quality of the food whatsoever.
Is your packaging BPA free?
Yes and the steam bag is designed to be used in either the microwave or oven safely to cook for your child.
What if my child has food allergies?
Our meals are free of nuts, eggs and soy but some include gluten legumes and coconut. Always consult your paediatrician or doctor if you are concerned about allergies and make sure you seek a professionals advice before starting any new food.
What if my baby doesn’t like the food?
It is completely normal for babies to reject certain (or all) foods at first - this is called neophobia. The most important thing for you as a parent is not to give up and keep trying. Be relaxed and make the process fun, let them get messy.
Experts suggest that it takes babies up to 20 times of trying something to decide if they like it or not so keep at it!
Also, try not to allow meal times to stress you out. If your baby gets the feeling that you’re tense, they may get more anxious and less interested in eating. Keep the tone as light as possible and do what you can to make eating a fun part of your child’s day.
When do you deliver?
Unless otherwise specified, our deliveries take place on Thursdays and orders must be received by Tuesday noon for that week’s deliveries.
How is the food shipped?
All of our food is hand delivered frozen. We will email you a shipping confirmation outlining when you can expect your delivery.
Where do you deliver?
We delivery to 40km radius Sydney Metro area, and use a third party courier service which charges depending on your location from us. The couriers deliver inside a 3hr window to ensure food remains frozen. We pass these charges on to customers with zero markup. To find out the cost of delivery to your suburb, place your postcode into our checkout.
Alternatively you can pick up from Eastgardens for no charge.
Why does it cost to ship my items?
Honestly, we wish it didn’t. Delivering frozen food has to be done quickly, so we can’t pop it in Australia Post like we wish we could. We have to call a courier service to drive your VIP package over to you, and that costs money. We don’t charge you a cent more than it costs us to ship… promise!
If only it were a rideshare app- it would be cheaper, and we’d offer your meal a water and some mints.