#360: Rice cereal is not an ideal first food for your baby. In this episode we’re exploring the drawbacks of regular reliance on iron fortified white rice cereal in the weaning diet. Your baby can learn to eat foods that naturally contain iron. Learn why you do not need to rely on refined, fortified, processed baby foods that increase the risk of arsenic toxicity and feel empowered to skip baby cereals altogether when starting solid foods. 



What's Wrong with Rice Cereal for Babies?

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

#436: Worldwide, the average age of weaning from the breast is 4 years. Why do we stop breastfeeding so soon in the US? When should you stop breastfeeding? Can you or should you keep breastfeeding after your baby starts solid foods? In this episode Ronietra Steward talks about the benefits of continued breastfeeding in later infancy and for toddlers.

Listen to this episode to learn:

Why the average age of weaning is so much older outside of the United States

How you can extend breastfeeding…even if you’re facing judgment or pressure to stop

Which nursing session(s) to drop first when you’re trying to eventually wean your baby


Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/436

Other Episodes Related to this Topic

Episode 410 - Empowering Black and African American Breastfeeding Families with @cinnamoms_ Toncé Jackson, EdD, MPH, RDN, CLE


Episode 98 - Breastfeeding + Scheduling Solid Foods with @milkymamallc Krystal Duhaney, RN, IBCLC



Links from Episode

Check out the PHFE WIC Breastfeeding resources here: https://www.phfewic.org/en/learn-and-grow/breastfeeding/ 

Cinnamoms Breastfeeding support: https://www.cinnamoms.org/ 




How Long Can I Breastfeed? with Ronietra Stewart, RDN, IBCLC

#435: Is it ever safe for babies to start solid foods before 6 months of age? In one instance: yes…but for the remainder of babies, there is no upside - and only potential harm - in starting solid foods too early. In this episode we look at reasons why parents are pressured to start solid foods early as well as the data supporting the one instance when it might be appropriate to begin prior to 6 months of age.

Listen to this episode to learn:

Why starting solid foods prior to 6 months is not only unnecessary but how it can be harmful

What the most common conditions and situations are that pressure parents to start solid food early

The one instance where it may be beneficial to start a solid food prior to 6 months of age 


Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/435

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 


Other Episodes Related to this Topic

Episode 2 - 5 Baby Milestones to Begin Baby-Led Weaning Safely | What Your Baby Should Be Able to Do Before Starting Solids


Episode 110 - Catch-Up Weight: Why Starting Solids Early Will Not Help Your Baby Gain Weight with Rosan Meyer, PhD, RD


Episode 146 - Setting Your Baby's Sleep Schedule when Starting Solids with Aubrie DeBear, PsyD


Episode 182 - GERD: Does Starting Solids Early Help Babies with GERD? with Peter Lu, MD


Episode 266 - Infant Weight Loss: What to Do When the Doctor Says Your Baby Isn’t Gaining Weight with Rosan Meyer, PhD, RD





Can My Baby Start Solid Foods Before 6 Months?

#434: Do certain foods trigger colic or gut symptoms in your baby? Eliminating FODMAP foods can help adults with irritable bowel syndrome, but should babies be on a low or no FODMAP diet? Kate Scarlata joins me to talk about whether or not a low FODMAP diet can help with colic for colicky babies.

Check out Kate Scarlata online at https://www.katescarlata.com/ and on Instagram @katescarlata 

Shownotes for this episode are here: https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/434



Colicky Baby: Can a Low FODMAP Diet Help Colic? with Kate Scarlata, MPH, RDN

#433: Which foods should babies avoid? Babies can eat so many more foods than we give them credit for - but certain foods are choking risk foods or are harmful to developing babies for other reasons. This episode contains 15 foods to not feed your baby in order to preserve their health.

Listen to this episode to learn:

Which foods are choking foods…and how to modify them so they are safe for your baby to eat.

How much sodium per serving you want to stay under when choosing foods for your baby to eat.

Why the most common food for starting solid foods is actually dangerous for babies.


Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/433

Links from this episode:

Download the 15 Foods Never to Feed free feeding guide here.

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 


Other Episodes Related to this Topic

Episode 27 - Honey: Why Honey is Dangerous for Babies


Episode 107 - Corn: How to Offer Corn Safely to Your Baby


Episode 208 - Heavy Metals in Baby Food with @consumerreports James E. Rogers, PhD


Episode 232 - Tuna Talk: Is it Safe for Babies to Eat Canned Tuna with @consumerreports Michael K. Hansen, PhD


Episode 246 - Arsenic in Baby Food with Charlotte Brody, RN and Jane Houlihan





15 Foods Never to Feed Your Baby

#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





What's Wrong with Rice Cereal for Babies?

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