Worried your baby isn’t getting enough iron with baby-led weaning? You’re not alone — and the good news is, it’s a lot simpler (and tastier) than you think.

In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about iron during the first year. From how much your baby actually needs, to what real foods deliver the goods, to why it doesn’t have to be fancy (hello, leftover tri-tip!), this episode will help you feed your baby with confidence — no powders, panic, or pressure required.

You’ll learn:

• Why iron matters so much in the first year
• How BLW naturally supports iron intake
• Which foods are rich in iron (and how to pair them for max absorption)
• Common myths about babies, teeth, and meat
• Easy, doable food combos that check the iron box without stress

💛 Plus, I’ll walk you through real-life examples from moms I’ve supported, so you can see how flexible and empowering this can be.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

• Grab your free BLW Registry Guide (including my favorite iron-friendly gear):
  👉 babyledweaningacademy.com/registry
  
  

P.S. Full episode and show links at:
 👉 babyledweaningacademy.com/37

Let’s power up with every bite. 🥩🥦🍓

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If your baby squishes sweet potato, flings broccoli across the room, or just pokes at everything without taking a bite — don’t panic. What looks like playing is actually practicing.

In this episode, we dig into why the mess matters and how exploration builds skills that last far beyond babyhood.

You’ll learn:

• Why “just playing” with food is a win (even if nothing gets eaten)
• The real meaning of that “food before one is just for fun” phrase
• What throwing food actually tells you about development
• How to keep the vibe positive without feeling like you’re wasting time (or groceries)
• Practical tips to reduce waste and make the mess more manageable

💛 Plus, a gentle reminder: mealtimes aren’t about performance — they’re about practice. Every smear, squish, and toss is building motor skills, comfort, curiosity, and trust. That’s the good stuff.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

• Join the BLW Academy Club waitlist for exclusive founding member perks, monthly workshops, and real-time support:
  👉 babyledweaningacademy.com/club
  
  

P.S. Listen to the full episode and grab any extras at:
 👉 babyledweaningacademy.com/36

You're not "just making a mess" — you're making progress. 🙌🏻

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

Starting solids is a big enough milestone on its own — and when you add in daycare, a nanny, or even Grandma helping out, it can feel downright overwhelming.

If you're wondering how to keep baby-led weaning going strong when you’re not the one doing the feeding, this episode is for you.

We’re breaking down how to advocate for your feeding preferences, communicate with caregivers, adapt your approach without losing your BLW rhythm, and most of all — trust your baby’s skills and resilience along the way.

You’ll learn:

• Why clear, kind communication with daycare matters more than perfection
• What to include in a caregiver handout (and where to get mine!)
• How to combine BLW with purees in a daycare setting
• Why your baby won’t get confused by different textures or routines
• The one thing you definitely want to check daycare food labels for (hint: it’s sticky sweet)
• Real-life examples from BLW parents (and a foster care story that’ll warm your heart)

💡 Whether your provider is hesitant or you’re simply nervous to let go of control, this episode will help you find a calm, confident middle ground — one that honors your values and makes room for support.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

• Puree the Baby-Led Weaning Way — free guide to help you blend BLW principles with spoon-feeding babyledweaningacademy.com/puree
• The BLW Academy Club — get on the priority list for founding member access, live support calls, bonus trainings, and more babyledweaningacademy.com/club
• Caregiver Handout — included inside The BLW Academy Club for easy sharing with daycare, sitters, grandparents, and more

P.S. Find the full episode and transcript at babyledweaningacademy.com/35

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

Wait… you can do baby-led weaning with purées?
Yep. You absolutely can.

This episode is your permission slip to take a flexible, baby-led approach—even if you start with a spoon. Because BLW isn’t about skipping purées. It’s about letting your baby lead the way.

Inside this episode, we’ll break down:

• Why baby-led weaning is about how you feed, not just what you feed
• The biggest myth about purées and BLW—and why it’s holding parents back
• How to offer purées without overriding your baby’s cues
• Easy ways to combine pre-loaded spoons and finger foods from the start
• What responsive feeding actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not all or nothing)
• A real-life story from a mom who finally found feeding peace—with sweet potato and a spoon

Whether you’re easing into solids slowly, using combo feeding, or feeling stuck between “doing it right” and doing what works, this episode will help you breathe easier and trust yourself (and your baby) more.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:
– Download your free guide: Puree the Baby-Led Way
– Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear “you’re not doing it wrong”
– Leave a review and get a thank-you gift: babyledweaningacademy.com/review

P.S. You can find this episode at babyledweaningacademy.com/34

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

You offer the food... and your baby pushes it right back out with their tongue.
 Is it rejection? Are they not ready? Should you keep going—or pause?

In this episode, we’re talking all about the tongue thrust reflex—one of the most important (and misunderstood) signs of readiness for solids. If you’ve ever felt confused about what that little push means, this one’s for you.

We’ll cover:

• What the tongue thrust reflex actually is—and why babies are born with it
• Why pushing food out doesn’t mean your baby hates it
• The risks of starting solids before this reflex fades (even with purées!)
• How to know when your baby is truly ready to begin
• A real-world example of how this reflex shows up—and what to do instead
• What to try in the meantime while your baby’s still practicing

Because baby-led weaning is all about following your baby’s cues—and the tongue thrust is one of the clearest ones we’ve got.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:
– Free guide: Puree the Baby-Led Way: From Spoons to Solids
– Easy-to-hold oral motor tools from EZPZ: ezpzfun.com (use code BLWACADEMY10 for 10% off!)
– Want more clarity on BLW readiness? Go back to Episode 3

P.S. You can find this episode at babyledweaningacademy.com/33

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

Your baby might not be able to say “I’m hungry” or “I’m full” — but with baby sign language, they can tell you. And that changes everything.

This episode is your gentle, doula-style guide to using simple signs during baby-led weaning. Not to impress. Not to overwhelm. But to connect — and to make mealtimes smoother, calmer, and way more communicative.

You’ll learn:

• Why baby sign is such a game-changer during BLW
• How signing can reduce frustration for you and your baby
• Why signing doesn’t delay speech (spoiler: it can actually help!)
• My favorite 5 signs to start with (and how to do them)
• How to begin even if you’re busy, unsure, or totally new to sign

You don’t need to do it perfectly. You just need to begin. One sign, one bite, one moment of connection at a time. 💛

✨ Mentioned in this episode:
– Watch short videos of all 5 signs I recommend at babyledweaningacademy.com/32
– Share this episode with a mama who could use a little more calm at the table
– Leave a quick review to help other parents find the podcast — and get a thank-you gift! babyledweaningacademy.com/review

P.S. You can find this episode at babyledweaningacademy.com/32

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

Why Baby-Led Weaning Is About More Than What’s on the Plate

It might look like a mess on the tray… but what you’re really building is trust, connection, and a lifelong relationship with food.

This episode is a zoom-out moment. Less about the logistics, more about the legacy you’re creating—bite by bite, moment by moment.

Because baby-led weaning isn’t just about broccoli, bibs, and high chairs. It’s about letting your baby’s voice matter. It’s about healing old patterns. And it’s about building a relationship around food that’s grounded in trust and joy—for both of you.

We’ll explore:

• How baby-led weaning models body autonomy from day one
• What it means to break cycles and rewrite your own feeding story
• Why the “invisible progress” matters most (even when no food is swallowed)
• How mealtimes become a safe, shared experience—not just a to-do
• The deeper work happening under the surface of every messy bite

This episode is full of real stories from parents I’ve supported, reflections from my own journey, and gentle reminders that you’re doing more than you think.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:
– Want to feel grounded and supported in your BLW journey? Watch my free class Orientation Day: BLW 101
– Leave a review and get a little gift in the mail: babyledweaningacademy.com/review

P.S. You can find this episode at babyledweaningacademy.com/31

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

You Deserve to Enjoy Mealtimes, Too: A Baby-Led Weaning Guide to More Joy

Just because mealtimes are for your baby doesn’t mean they can’t be meaningful (and even fun!) for you too. In this heartfelt episode, we’re zooming out from the mess and the milestones to talk about something just as important: your experience.

Because yes, baby-led weaning is about safety and development and learning to eat—but it’s also about connection, presence, and joy for you, Mama.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in survival mode—eating standing up, skipping meals, dreading dinnertime—this is your gentle permission slip to shift the vibe. Not with perfection. But with presence.

We’ll explore:

• The difference between feeding your baby and sharing a meal with them
• Why tiny mindset shifts can change everything about how a meal feels
• The underestimated power of modeling joy, not just eating skills
• Simple, doable ideas to create a more peaceful, connected mealtime
• A real story of one mom who reclaimed her seat at the table—and found a little joy again

Because this isn’t just about food. It’s about feeding your family and yourself—body and soul.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:
– Want to bring more joy, calm, and clarity to starting solids? Watch my free class Orientation Day: BLW 101
– Leave a review and get a little gift in the mail: babyledweaningacademy.com/review

P.S. You can find this episode at babyledweaningacademy.com/30

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

There’s Magic in the Mess — Of Baby-Led Weaning and Motherhood
Let’s be real: sometimes baby-led weaning feels more like baby-led chaos.

But here’s the truth most Instagram reels won’t show you — the mess is the magic. In this heartfelt pep talk, I’m sharing a gentle reframe for the sticky, squishy, sometimes soul-stretching reality of starting solids… and how it’s still working even when it doesn’t look picture-perfect.

Inside this episode:

• 4 powerful truths to hold onto when feeding feels frustrating
• Why the mess is a sign of learning (not failure)
• What social media isn’t showing you — and how that’s impacting your confidence
• A few real-life tips for making cleanup easier (including my favorite splash mat!)
• A reminder that you’re not behind. You’re in it — and that counts

👶 Mentioned in this episode:

• Orientation Day: BLW 101 – my free class for a fresh start and more confidence → babyledweaningacademy.com/od
• Bapron Baby splash mats – Get 10% off with code BLWACADEMY10 → bapronbaby.com

💬 Wanna show me the mess that made you smile?
DM me on Instagram @babyledweaningacademy — I’d love to cheer you on.

P.S. Find this episode at babyledweaningacademy.com/29 💛

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌

Ever left a pediatrician visit feeling defeated — or bit your tongue when family questioned what your baby was eating?
You are so not alone.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• The invisible (but real) pressure parents face when advice contradicts their instincts
• Why even loving, well-meaning people might push outdated feeding guidance
• How to respond to comments like “That looks like a choking hazard” or “Why not just use purees?” — with calm clarity, not defensiveness
• What to say when you’re tired of explaining (plus the go-to sentence I recommend using)
• How trusting your instincts and current research can work together to build confidence

You’ll leave with real-life examples, simple scripts, and a gentle reminder: you don’t have to justify your feeding choices to anyone — but it’s okay to stand tall in them.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

• 🎁 Caregiver Handout — Perfect for daycares, grandparents, or partners who need clarity (included inside the course)
  → babyledweaningacademy.com/ftw
• 🧡 Leave a review + get a surprise gift!
  1. Screenshot your podcast review
  2. Upload it at: babyledweaningacademy.com/review

P.S. Full episode + links at:
 👉 babyledweaningacademy.com/28

You’ve got this, mama — and I’ve got you. Confidence is contagious. 💛

Review the show and upload a screenshot at babyledweaningacademy.com/review for a little something in the mail 💌