Baby-Led Weaning Academy

The holidays are here 🎉... and if you’re starting solids, it might feel like the worst timing ever. Travel, chaotic mealtimes, well-meaning relatives, and sugar-filled traditions can make baby-led weaning feel more stressful than special. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, I’m sharing a warm, practical survival guide to help you feel confident feeding your baby through the holid...

Frozen veggies count — they’re not a cop-out, they’re a shortcut. In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest unspoken fears in baby-led weaning:  “Am I doing it wrong if I use shortcuts like frozen food?” Spoiler alert: You’re not. In fact, shortcuts like frozen produce, batch prep, and baby-friendly tools are the only reason many families can stick with BLW without burning out. You’ll lea...

Sugar might seem sweet and harmless — but for babies, it’s more trick than treat. In this Halloween-themed episode, we’re uncovering the spooky truths about sugar and how it shows up during baby’s first year of eating. From the candy bowl to hidden sugars in baby yogurt, this episode will help you feel confident about avoiding added sugar without becoming the sugar police. You’ll learn: The differ...

“Alex, how do I get my baby to eat?” Short answer? You don’t. In this powerful episode, we’re unpacking one of the most common (and stressful) questions moms ask — and flipping it on its head through the lens of baby-led weaning. If you’ve ever felt like feeding is a battle, like you’re not doing enough, or like your baby just won’t eat, this one’s for you. You’ll learn: Why your job isn’t to make...

Starting solids doesn’t mean cutting back on milk overnight — in fact, it shouldn’t. Breastmilk or formula still plays the starring role in your baby’s nutrition during the first year. In this episode, I’m walking you through four ways to find a baby-led weaning rhythm that feels balanced , not stressful — so milk stays front and center while solids slide in naturally. You’ll learn: Why solids are...

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!), thi...

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 th...

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...

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 a...

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...

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-cha...

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...

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 ea...

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...

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 h...

If your partner, daycare, or grandma isn’t fully on board with baby-led weaning — you’re not alone. And no, this doesn’t mean BLW is off the table. It just means the conversation is just getting started. In this episode, we’ll walk through: Why hesitation is usually about fear, not judgment How to respond with calm, grace, and confidence (not defensiveness) The power of simple education and clear,...

What if the most important thing on the menu isn’t food — it’s your calm, confident presence? This episode is a heartfelt reminder that baby-led weaning isn’t just about what’s on your baby’s plate. It’s about how you feel at the table. Inside this episode, we talk about: Why your energy shapes your baby’s mealtime experience How to build calm and confidence (even if you feel unsure right now) The...

Feel like your baby is feeding the floor more than their belly? You’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode, we’re unpacking what progress actually looks like during the early days of baby-led weaning (hint: it’s not just about swallowing). Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why baby-led weaning is about learning before eating What real progress looks like (think: first...

Can purees and finger foods coexist? Absolutely — and in this episode, I’m busting the myth that baby-led weaning has to mean “no spoons allowed.” You’ll learn: Why who holds the spoon matters more than what’s on it How to serve purees baby-led style using preloaded spoons, dips, and combo meals Why mixing textures actually builds more skills, not confusion Three myths about purees that we’re offi...

Banana, avocado, toast… repeat? You’re not alone. In this final episode of our snack-sized launch week series, we’re tackling the real talk about variety — and how to gently expand your baby’s food world without making every meal feel like a production. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why repetition is actually a good thing (yes, avocado every day is progress!) The “5 Bucket Method” for low-str...

Not sure what to put on your baby’s plate? Start here. In this episode, I’m sharing the only three things you need to think about at every meal — no color-coded charts or Pinterest pressure required. These tips will help you serve food that’s safe, balanced, and actually doable in real life. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why one food at a time is the perfect place to start (yes, really!) How...

Do you ever pause and think about where real, supportive baby-led weaning (BLW) guidance actually comes from — and why it matters so much? In this episode, we’ll cover: Why Baby-Led Weaning Academy wasn’t born from perfection, but from messy kitchens and midnight doula shifts The real moments and stories that inspired me to create a BLW course built on emotional support, not just information What...

Ever catch yourself wondering if your baby is supposed to be drinking water — and how much is too much (or not enough)? In this episode, we’ll cover: Why water during baby-led weaning (BLW) is about exploration, not ounces How to choose a developmentally-friendly cup — and teach your baby to use it What to try if your baby refuses water, dumps it, or just chews the cup … and a whole lot more! If y...

Working full-time? Barely keeping up with life? Baby-led weaning can still work for you — really. This snack-size episode is all about making solids doable for busy parents. Whether you're heading back to work, juggling daycare drop-offs, or just stretched thin, this one’s for you. Inside, I’ll show you how to: Start with one simple meal a day (yes, that’s enough!) Batch-prep baby-safe foods...

If baby-led weaning has started to feel like another thing you’re “not doing right,” this episode is your permission slip to take a deep breath. In today’s snack-size episode, I’m cutting through the picture-perfect pressure and giving you real-life strategies to make baby-led weaning doable, joyful, and 100% valid — even when life is busy, messy, or just plain real. We’ll cover: Why your baby’s m...