When a parent comes into your restaurant with a baby just old enough for solids but not old enough for the kids' menu, chances are you've seen the guardian get out something for the child to eat.
Sometimes this is a jarred or pureed food, but you may increasingly have noticed that they're bringing out solid foods the baby can easily gum on.
Baby-led weaning is a method of feeding that allows babies to skip pureed foods and head straight to safe solids—that is, foods that they can consume without choking. Instead of being fed, the child uses their fingers to pick up and eat the food.
Why Should Restaurant Owners Care About Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning won't be relevant to owners of all types of restaurants, but for many, knowing about it could help with customer service and potentially revenue.
When it comes to customer service, understanding baby-led weaning provides two significant benefits.
Avoiding awkwardness after any confusion
If you own a restaurant that doesn't allow outside food, and an adult gets out a peach, your server may approach them to tell them they have to put it away or leave.
While it's easy enough for the parent to explain that the food is for the baby, chances are they've had to explain the same thing a million times before. Showing knowledge and understanding can go a long way in keeping customers happy.
BEING ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR BABY-SAFE FOODS
Then there are parents who may come into your restaurant, realize they forgot their baby's lunch, and ask, "Do you have any foods that are safe for baby-led weaning?"
Knowing what they're asking and being able to answer quickly could put a smile on their faces (and possibly some extra tip money in your servers' pockets). You can find more details on what these foods are later in this piece.
Should My Restaurant Offer Baby-Led Weaning Foods?
If your restaurant's target audience is those with young children, offering baby-led weaning options may be worth considering.
Pros for baby-led weaning foods at restaurants:
Sales: You can sell the baby-led weaning food, at your location or online, like any other meal. Chances are this will involve minimal cost or labor on your end, so the return on investment could be high, even if baby-led weaning foods aren't massive sellers.
Happy customers: If your restaurant offers baby-led weaning foods, customers may take notice because this option isn't common. They could end up frequenting your restaurant, telling their friends, and leaving positive reviews for your unique service and level of understanding.
Cons for having baby-lead weaning foods on the online and dine-in menus:
Mess: Since the babies are in charge of eating independently, they're likely to drop a lot of food on the floor. If you offer these foods, you may find yourself with more customers who engage in baby-led weaning than before. The subsequent mess may result in it taking longer to turn over tables while your staff cleans.
Allergens: It's unlikely that parents will know what their babies are allergic to yet. While it's reasonable to assume they won't order something they know the child is allergic to, the risk of cross-contamination is almost always present in kitchens. Ensure that parents know about this possibility if you decide to begin offering these foods.
What Are Baby-Led Weaning Foods?
When you're considering offering baby-led weaning foods, think about what's already on your menu.
If you don't have foods conducive to this feeding method, it may not be worth the investment. However, if you already stock baby-friendly foods, it just might benefit you to give baby-led weaning food menu options a try.
Baby-led weaning foods include but aren't limited to the following:
Avocado, bananas, peaches, and other very soft fruits
Scrambled eggs or omelets cut into strips
Very soft cooked meat, such as meatballs or small strips of chicken
Toast cut into strips
Soft or thinly-sliced vegetables
As the babies get older, they are introduced to more complex foods with condiments, seasonings, and varying textures.
Servers should ensure that they fully understand what parents are asking for and that they double-check that the food is correct before leaving the table.
Final Thoughts
As baby-led weaning gains popularity, restaurant owners should be aware of the phenomenon. Understanding this method can improve customer service.
Further, choosing to offer baby-led weaning foods on your online and in-person menu could result in higher revenues and repeat customers.
In the end, the choice about offering baby-led weaning foods is up to you. However, it's always best to know what's trending in the world of food.
Melissa Dimmitt, Marketing Manager
Melissa is the Marketing Manager for Menufy by HungerRush. She began working with restaurant managers and executive chefs over a decade ago, coordinating seasonal menu releases, executing photoshoots, and creating fresh digital content.