When do you start eating in the first place? It can also be confusing as to where to go for the ceremony or the photo shoot. Traveling and taking pictures with a baby can be a daunting task. Depending on the plan, there are things such as dishes and costumes that require reservations. It's important to know what you need to do and plan well in advance. Here, we will explain when the first meal is held, what to prepare for the baby's clothes, parents' clothes, etc., and where the ceremony and meals will be held.

The 100th day after birth is the most common date for the first meal. Okuizome is also known as the 100th day celebration, so you can basically think of it as an event to celebrate the 100th day of your life.

Depending on the region, the first meal is celebrated on the 110th or 120th day, instead of the 100th day after birth. In particular, it seems that people pray for a long life by calling it ``eating out'' after 120 days from birth.

In recent years, more and more families are opting for days when the weather is nice and convenient for the family, rather than the traditional 100, 110, or 120 days after birth. You can't force yourself to think, "I have to do it on the 100th day after I was born!" It's more fun to do it on a day that's convenient for everyone, and the baby will be happy to have the family together.

In conclusion, choose a time when the family gathers or when the weather is nice for the first meal, around 100 days after the baby is born. The day when the family agrees and decides that "this day is the beginning of eating" is the day of celebration for the baby.

Once you've decided on your schedule, make sure you've got what you need to buy on time. There are some things that need to be prepared in advance, such as clothes and food. I will explain the contents of the dishes and the items used in the ceremony later.

Especially don't forget the clothes. Papa and mama can wear formal suits or dresses. For breastfeeding moms, a dress with a breastfeeding opening is convenient. You will also need to take care of the baby, so it is a good idea to wear clothes that are easy to move around in.

Baby clothes are more difficult than adults. It would be difficult to buy clothes for babies to wear for celebrations at mass retailers in a hurry. Besides, I would like to choose a convincing costume for you.

tsukihana has hakama for babies. Please enjoy choosing clothes while you have time. We have hakama for both boys and girls.

The first meal should be done at a time when the baby is fully awake. Each baby's life rhythm is different, so it should be tailored to each baby, but basically it is recommended to do it at lunchtime, which is a little earlier for adults, after breastfeeding in the morning. Avoid late in the afternoon when your baby will be tired and later in the evening when bath and sleep times will be affected.

The next thing to decide is where to start eating. The main place to eat is either at home or at a restaurant. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of each.

one's home

It's a familiar environment for your baby, so you can do it calmly. There is also a sense of security that everything is available, such as a large toy such as a bed merry to relax when you are bored, a shower and a change of clothes necessary for regurgitation.

The downside is that it takes a lot of time to prepare a celebratory dish. In addition to ceremonial food, we also need feasts for adults to eat. You can order frozen food online or ask a caterer, but you need to prepare the room and set the table.

Restaurant

Restaurants and ryotei that serve okizome can perfectly prepare food for babies as well as food for adults. Reservation for a private room is essential, but most restaurants will give you a private room if it's your first meal. There are many shops that come with celebratory chopsticks and teething stones as a set, so you can leave most of the preparations to the shop except for the clothes. However, we recommend that you make a reservation early, assuming that the reservation will be filled up.

The disadvantage is that you will be traveling with a baby, so you will need to prepare both diapers, milk, clothes, and comfortable clothes, so you tend to have more luggage than usual. Also, since there are other customers around, you need to be considerate. Bring a toy or pacifier in case your baby cries.

While it's best to have fun around the costumed baby at the beginning of the meal, it's also important to ensure that the "ceremony" goes smoothly. It may differ depending on the region, but here we will introduce the basic okuzome ritual. Also, the cornerstone of the ceremony is "teeth consolidation". The teeth-hardening ritual is so important that it is sometimes called "teating" at the beginning of eating. Therefore, we will explain in detail the meaning of tooth solidification, how to obtain stones, and how to perform the teeth solidification ritual.

At Okuizome, food is prepared for the baby. Of course, the baby is not yet able to eat directly, so the ritual of eating is to imitate feeding. This ritual contains the wish that the baby will live without trouble to eat for the rest of his life. Okuizome dishes sold at restaurants and mail-order stores are seasoned so that adults can enjoy them, so please enjoy them after the ceremony.

It used to be the oldest adult present to mimic feeding a baby on one's lap. However, in recent years, more and more moms and dads do it. You don't have to stick to tradition, so please discuss it with your family and decide who will be in charge. You don't have to worry about where your baby is on your lap.

Food for babies consists of the following three items.

• rice
• Soup
• fish (bream with tail)

Bring these to the baby's mouth in the following order using celebratory chopsticks.

Rice → soup → rice → fish → rice → soup

After repeating the above three times, perform the teeth-hardening ritual at the end. See the next section for details on how to fix the teeth.

Depending on the region, simmered dishes and pickled vegetables (pickled vegetables and vinegared vegetables) may be served in addition to the above three dishes. In that case, the procedure is slightly different, and the order is as follows.

Rice → soup → rice → fish → rice → soup → rice → simmered dish → rice → soup → rice → vinegared dish → rice → soup → rice → toothpaste → rice → soup → rice

It is a good idea to follow the customs of the area where you live or where you are performing the ceremony. Please ask your parents or restaurant staff in advance. During the ceremony, the baby is wearing a hakama and other costumes, so it is a chance to take a picture. Enjoy a photo shoot with all participating families. If you don't have hands, we recommend fixing your smartphone to the holder and taking a video.

The teething ceremony is to pray for the baby to have strong teeth. Stones are used in ceremonies. It should not be a large stone, but rather a pebble that is small enough to hide in your hand, and smooth and without sharp edges. Black or white is the preferred stone color.

Please choose the method of obtaining stones that best suits your family situation from the options below.

• Borrow from a local Shinto shrine
• Purchasing prayed stones online
• Buy items that come with the meal at the beginning of the meal at an online store.
• Use what is provided at the restaurant

A local ujigami is a shrine where the god who protects the area where your home resides. If you don't know, ask someone who has lived in the area for a long time, or call the shrine office in your area. The contact information for the Shrine Agency can be found on the website of the Shrine Office.

When borrowing stones from a shrine, go to the precincts and pick up affordable stones. Don't forget to visit. Please return the stones used in the ceremony at a later date.

You can also purchase stones online. It may come with a single stone or a frozen meal set. If you don't have time to go to a shrine, it might be a good idea to consider purchasing one. If you hold a ritual at a restaurant, some places will arrange the stones together. Please inquire at the shop.

Now, let me show you how to harden your teeth. It is done after or during the ritual of bringing the dishes introduced earlier to the baby's mouth in order. Place a tooth-hardening stone on the tip of the chopsticks and place the chopsticks against the baby's gums. Be careful not to let the chopsticks go deep into your mouth and not to be too strong. In the past, the stone itself was applied to the baby's gums, but now most people use chopsticks to prevent injuries and accidental ingestion. Make a wish and gently touch the cute gums with your chopsticks.

Okuizome is a celebration for babies around 100 days after birth. Let's do it with the hope that we will not be troubled by eating forever and that strong teeth will grow. This day is also a chance to take memorable photos. Adults should dress up in formal clothes, and babies should dress up in hakama. The tsukihana hakama has a full-fledged look and is easy to wear. Please consider it for the costume of the celebration day.