This post and giveaway were made possible by iConnect and Dreft. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.
Getting messy with food is probably one of my kids’ favorite activities. It can be a pain for us parents having to repeatedly clean food off the floor, the table, and those hard to reach crevices in high chairs and booster seats. Ick! Not to mention the stains on clothing, which can be really hard to get out sometimes.
Would it help to soften the blow if I told you that this messy play was developmentally important for your baby? Studies have shown that smashing, throwing, and playing with food helps babies learn and can be a calming activity for them.
What is sensory play?
Sensory play can include food, dirt, grass, water, sand, hard or soft objects; basically a variety of textures, shapes, and sounds. Letting baby explore with a variety of different items helps to develop cognitive and motor skills. Babies learn by doing, touching, and seeing so sometimes getting messy is just a part of growing up.
Dr. Dyan Hes, named a 2013 top doctor by NEW YORK Magazine, encourages messy play and offers these tips to parents:
- Learn counting with food: Count pieces and bites. Let baby learn to use their fingers by practicing picking up food themselves. Let baby squish, roll, smush, and play, there are more important things happening than just a big mess.
- Let them throw: Throwing helps baby’s learn object permanence. It’s not just to make a big mess on your floor! Minimize cleanup by placing a towel or tablecloth underneath the high chair.
- Splash in the bath: Bring toys in and let baby enjoy splashing around. Playing in water is pretty cool when you think about it and a great way for baby to learn.
- Plan outfits accordingly: Cotton is easier to clean than other fabrics so makes a great choice for times when things may get a little messy. And don’t forget the bibs! Keep them in your diaper bag, car, and stroller so there is always one handy and less worry for you about stains on clothes.
Dreft surveyed parents and found that 87% of mom’s encouraged activities where their kids wouldn’t get dirty and 88% let their children play clothes-free in just a diaper so their clothes wouldn’t get messy. I don’t blame ya, mama!
But what if it was a little easier to enjoy these messes and the joy it brings our babies by not having to worry about that brand new shirt or pair of pants?
Dreft has been a trusted laundry brand for over 80 years and is the number 1 choice of pediatricians. Their products are hypoallergenic and gentle on skin, but tough on stains. Detergents come in Stage 1 for newborns and Stage 2 for active babies who have started to eat solid foods. Dreft removes 99% of baby food stains and outdoor messes so there is less clean-up for you to worry about. Dreft Blissfuls scent-beads are safe on all fabrics and can release the Dreft baby fresh scent for up to two weeks.
Show us your messy baby & win prizes!
Let Dreft tackle the clothing mess for you and celebrate your messy baby with the “Dreft America’s Messiest Baby Contest”. Your little one could win a photo shoot to be on the cover of Parents Magazine! HOW EXCITING!
You probably have already captured many photos of your messy baby whether it be at meal time, in the mud, or painting a craft for dad or grandma. Now, let that messy photo win you some prizes!
To enter Dreft America’s Messiest Baby Contest simply submit your photo through the contest website or post a photo to Twitter or Instagram with #MessiestBabyContest. Winner’s will also receive a supply of Dreft laundry detergent. Submission deadline is November 30, 2016. See contest website for full details.
Want a chance to win more prizes?
Actress, model, and mom Molly Sims launched the Messiest Baby Contest along with Dreft at a special event in New York City on October 25 where some babies had the chance to partake in some messy fun. Molly wants to continue the fun and invites you to join her at the Dreft Messiest Baby Twitter Party on November 14 at 9pm EST. Use this link to RSVP for the Twitter party: http://bit.ly/2f1Djbj. There will be some amazing prize packages, one of which includes an iRobot Roomba!
Wait, one more giveaway is below!
Enter using the widget below to win a Messy Baby Prize Package that includes a $50 AMEX Card and Dreft product. Winner will be chosen randomly from all rafflecopter entries. The giveaway will begin on November 6, 2016 at 3pm EST and end on November 17, 2016 at 12am EST. Giveaway is open to US residents, age 18 and older. Winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!
I remember those baby days. My son loved to play with his food and in the tub. His favorite playtime was when we would sit outside on a blanket and play with toys.
My youngest children are twins and oh how I understand messy play. My boys still keep playing messy!
Dreft is the only detergent Ive ever used for my babies! Love that its hypoallergenic and still has the most delicious baby scent! I even started using their stain spray for extra tough spots! I too believe that a messy baby is a baby that is learning and having fun!
I bet it is calming for baby to mash their food. I never thought of it before. I love Dreft. It smells good.
Messy play is definitely an important way that babies explore, grow and learn. Good thing Dreft is there to help you clean up.
I know mess can be so important to baby’s development but sometimes I’m just so reluctant to let her make a mess. I hate having to clean it all up. I guess I should have more Dreft on hand so that I don’t have to worry about it! Planning outfits accordingly is also a great tip.
My sister just had a baby in August and uses dreft. I will have to talk to her about sensory play when her and my nephew are ready! Looks like a messy and engaging activity for sure.