The Baby Cake Smash

If you’re a new parent or grandparent that likes to keep up with current trends, you’re going to want to know all about the latest phenomenon when it comes to the first birthday.

They’re calling it the Baby Cake Smash.

One-year-olds are allowed, even encouraged, to plunge their hands into their pristine birthday cakes and rip out pieces to eat.

Sometimes the smash occurs to a single large birthday cake, the remainder of which, after the baby has performed the smash, is then cut and served to guests.

Other parents choose to allow their baby to smash a smaller cake and provide a separate cake for guests - an ideal option if the baby has a cold.

There’s some conjecture about the origins of the cake smash.

Some believe it comes from the Mexican Mordida involving shoving the baby’s face into the cake for that first bite.

That’s what mordida means in Spanish - ‘bite’.

Of course, it is possible this new tradition sprang from the American wedding tradition of the bride and groom smashing cake into each other’s faces on their big day.

The real joy of first birthdays is in the memories, so don’t forget to get loads of photos.

• Topics:

• Living and Lifestyle