Baby’s First Barbecue | When to Introduce Your Kiddos to Tony Roma’s Ribs

Ah, the milestones you enjoy with your baby: first steps, first words, first tooth and first Tony Roma’s ribs. What’s that you say? You weren’t aware that Tony Roma’s ribs are appropriate for the little ones? We say the perfect time to introduce the first barbecued ribs is sometime shortly after the first tooth! Tony Roma’s ribs are pre-cooked and even come in a boneless variety, perfect for every member of the family.

Ok, well, maybe we’re exaggerating a little bit. In reality, pediatricians generally recommend waiting until about six months of age to introduce meat, and at that point, it really should be bland and pureed. At about eight to ten months, though, it’s on! At that age, babies can start having little tastes of tender meat, and Tony Roma’s ribs are so moist and tender that we’re sure they fit the bill. Here are a few things to consider, however:

• The sauce. Initially, you might want to introduce rib bits to your little one with the sauce mostly wiped off, as babies sometimes respond negatively to strong flavors. While Tony Roma’s ribs are not too spicy, they are certainly flavorful, which is why you’ve probably noticed your baby drooling over them during his eight-month wait to be allowed to try them. If you think your baby can handle the sauce, we offer only three words of advice: remember the bib!
• The bones. We’ve mentioned that there’s a boneless variety, but some parents do prefer to give their babies the ribs right on the bones. Again, it’s all about what your little one can handle, but gnawing on the bone might feel good for teething gums. Of course, you’ll want to watch out for choking or gagging by overenthusiastic bone gnawers.
• The pieces. In truth, the best way to feed ribs to a small child is probably to pull it off the bone and shred it. That way, the baby can finger feed himself with the tiny, tender pieces of meat, and you won’t have to be concerned about choking.
• The clean up. Bib or no bib, after-dinner clean up can be brutal. Be ready with a warm washcloth for baby and full cleaning regalia for the high chair, table and floor. If you have a dog, this can really speed the post-baby-dinner floor cleaning.

Whenever you decide to introduce your little folk to Tony Roma’s ribs, we’re sure they’ll enjoy them immensely. Tony Roma’s ribs are succulent, flavorful and so easy to prepare that you’ll enjoy the experience as well! To find out where to buy Tony Roma’s ribs, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or join our community of BBQ lovers on Pinterest.

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