#387: I know you’re getting pressure to start solid foods prior to 6 months of age. There’s actually no upside to starting early…and it can be dangerous. In this episode I’m outlining 5 primary reasons to delay the introduction of solid foods until your baby is really ready to safely begin self-feeding.



5 Reasons Not to Start Solid Foods Before 6 Months of Age

Is your baby ready to start solid foods but you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about baby-led weaning? Babies can eat so many more foods than we give them credit for and you don’t have to force-feed or spoon-feed to get them to eat real food!

I’m Katie Ferraro, Registered Dietitian specializing in infant feeding and baby-led weaning. I’m a college nutrition professor and mom of 7, and my goal is to help you start solid foods safely using baby-led weaning.

On this podcast I share practical tips on safe food preparation and starting solid foods, as well as in-depth interviews with other feeding experts. Listen to learn how you can get your baby to safely enjoy real food so that you can start enjoying mealtimes again too!

Kids & Family

Nutrition

Parenting

Health & Fitness

#432: Can you potty-train your baby? Is a life without diapers doable? Elimination Communication (EC) is a gentle, non-coercive way to respond to your baby’s natural hygiene needs…and nobody knows EC ike Andrea Olson from @godiaperfree. In this episode Andrea’s teaching us how babies can learn to self-potty from birth and if you’re currently using diapers, how you can stop a lot sooner than you might think.

Check out Andrea’s website at https://www.godiaperfree.com/. Follow Andrea on Instagram @godiaperfree 

Listen to this episode to learn:

Why you should consider switching to self-pottying…even if you’re currently using diapers

How to identify your baby’s cues when they’re bearing down and ready to go!

What the 4 easy catches are…so you’ll gain confidence in your baby’s ability to self-potty


Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/432

Links from this episode

My high chair recommendations:

Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair on Amazon (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3X8iFM4  

Nomi high chair on Amazon (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3gPd6LU



Other Episodes Related to this Topic

Episode 172 - High Chair Positioning: Reduce Choking Risk Using This One Simple Move with Jeff Durkee of Nomi High Chair


Episode 205 - High Chair Help: What if My Baby Won't Sit in the High Chair?


Episode 379 - Favorite Portable High Chairs for Feeding on the Go





Baby-Led Potty Training: Elimination Communication with @godiaperfree Andrea Olson

#431: How does an adjustable footrest on your baby’s high chair help reduce the risk of choking? In this episode we’ll look at how your baby’s feet resting flat helps stabilize their core and support a safe swallow…and how to fix your high chair if it doesn’t have a footrest or if your baby’s feet don’t reach the footrest yet.

Listen to this episode to learn:

Why your baby’s feet resting flat on a solid footplate helps reduce choking risk

How to build a DIY footrest if your high chair doesn’t have one

What to do if your high chair has a footrest, but your baby’s feet don’t reach yet


Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/431

Links from this episode

My high chair recommendations:

Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair on Amazon (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3X8iFM4 

Nomi high chair on Amazon (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3gPd6LU



Other Episodes Related to this Topic

Episode 172 - High Chair Positioning: Reduce Choking Risk Using This One Simple Move with Jeff Durkee of Nomi High Chair


Episode 205 - High Chair Help: What if My Baby Won't Sit in the High Chair?


Episode 379 - Favorite Portable High Chairs for Feeding on the Go





Why Your Baby’s High Chair Needs a Footrest

#430: Worried that your baby isn’t eating enough or getting enough nutrition from food? Being worried that your baby is going to lose weight is a real fear. There’s some data to suggest that infant massage can actually help increase your baby’s weight. Baby massage expert Helen Thompson is here to teach about baby massage and if it is a way you can help your baby gain weight.

Check out Helen’s website here: https://www.mybabymassage.net/babyledweaning

Shownotes for this episode are here: https://blwpodcast.com/430 



Can Baby Massage Help Increase Infants’ Weight? with Helen Thompson

#429: Contrary to common belief, cutting food into tiny pieces can actually heighten choking risk for early eaters. In this episode, learn why longer, spear-like shapes of soft foods (pinky finger size) are safer for self-feeding and other safe food cuts that reduce choking risk during the introduction of starting solid foods using baby-led weaning.

Listen to this episode to learn:

Why small pieces of food are NOT safer and actually increase choking risk for early eaters

How to prepare foods safely for baby-led weaning so that your baby doesn’t choke 

Which foods are best when you are starting baby-led weaning


Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/429

Links from this episode:

Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro program with the 100 First Foods™ Daily Meal Plan, join here: https://babyledweaning.co/program 

Baby-Led Weaning for Beginners free online workshop with 100 First Foods™ list to all attendees, register here: https://workshop.babyledweaning.co 




Safe Food Sizes for Baby-Led Weaning

#428: Is your baby ready to eat just because they bring objects to their mouth. How is mouthing related to your baby’s readiness to eat and what is mouthing telling you about your baby’s ability and desire to self-feed. Celebrated pediatric feeding expert Marsha Dunn Klein is here to explain all about mouthing and why this is an important first step in starting solid foods.

Marsha’s Get Permission Institute is online at https://getpermissioninstitute.com/ and you can follow GPI on Instagram @getpermissioninstitute.

Get 20% off Marsha’s Teether HEart Spoon with her code MARSHA20 when you shop here. 

Shownotes for this episode are here: https://blwpodcast.com/428 



5 Reasons Not to Start Solid Foods Before 6 Months of Age

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