Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro

#125: Worried your baby might be allergic to a food you haven’t even offered yet? You’re not alone. Many parents feel anxious about introducing allergenic foods, and food allergy testing can seem like the safest first step…but unnecessary testing can actually create more confusion and fear. In this episode, pediatric allergist Dr. David Stukus explains why false positive food allergy test results...

#124: What if your baby reacted to egg…does that mean eggs are off the table forever? Not necessarily. In this episode, food allergy researcher and dietitian Carina Venter, PhD, RD, explains what an egg ladder is, how it may help some babies with egg allergy work toward tolerating egg again, and why this approach is used more often outside of the United States. Carina also shares why egg white mat...

#123 What should you do if your baby gets a rash around their mouth after trying a new food? Before you panic and assume it’s a food allergy, listen to this episode. I’m joined by pediatrician Dr. Ron Sunog to explain the difference between a harmless contact rash and a true allergic reaction. You’ll learn why certain foods can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin, what signs actually matter, and w...

#122: Starting solid foods can feel messy fast: food on the floor, sauce on the high chair, stains on your baby’s clothes, and sticky hands touching everything. In this episode, I’m interviewing Allison Evans, co-founder of Branch Basics, about how to clean up baby-led weaning food mess without relying on harsh household cleaners. You’ll learn simple ways to manage mealtime cleanup, what to look f...

#121: Are acidic foods like tomatoes, strawberries, citrus, or yogurt too harsh for your baby? In this episode, we’re looking at whether the pH of a food actually matters when your baby is starting solid foods. You’ll learn why acidic foods are not automatically off-limits, what a little redness around your baby’s mouth might mean, and how to keep the focus on offering a variety of safe, nutritiou...

#120: If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing when your baby is starting solid foods, this episode is for you. In this conversation with registered dietitian and Food Positivity co-author Arielle “Dani” Lebovitz, MS, RD, you’ll learn how everyday comments (often said with love) can shape your baby’s relationship with food and their body long before they can talk. We cover simple, real-life...

#119: Starting solid foods can feel confusing when your baby was born early. Do you go by your baby’s actual age or adjusted age? And what if someone told you to start early so your baby can “catch up” with weight gain? In this episode, I’m breaking down how to calculate adjusted age for premature babies and why it matters for starting solid foods safely. You’ll learn when to begin looking for rea...

#118: A good bib can make starting solid foods feel so much more manageable…but not all bibs are designed with your baby’s development in mind. In this episode, I’m joined by Kelsey Larsen, founder of Bapron Baby, to talk about why she created a pinafore-style bib that ties behind your baby’s shoulders instead of around the neck. Baprons help keep your baby clean without restricting movement, inte...

#117: Is your baby suddenly refusing a food they loved yesterday? Food rejection can feel frustrating when you’re just starting solid foods, but it’s also a very typical part of how babies learn to eat. In this episode, I’m explaining why babies may accept a food one day and refuse it the next, what this behavior actually means, and how to keep offering foods without pressure so your baby can buil...

#116: If you feel the tension rising before mealtimes with your baby, Jennifer Berry is here to help. She’s a feeding specialist with some really simple regulation tips to help you AND your baby feel calmer and safer before meals even start. Stop focusing so much on the food and start connecting with your baby for better mealtime outcomes. Listen to this episode to learn: 1. Some simple regulation...

#115: When your baby has diarrhea, should you stop regular foods and switch to bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast? The BRAT diet is old-school advice that sounds safe, but it’s not the best roadmap for babies who are starting solid foods. In this episode, we’re breaking down what to do instead, why hydration matters most, and when diarrhea means it’s time to call your pediatrician. Listen to thi...

#114:Do you ever watch Shark Tank and see a really good product that was born out of necessity by a new parent? That’s exactly the story behind ezpz. In this episode, Lindsey Laurain, founder and CEO of ezpz, shares how messy mealtimes with her own young kids led to the original silicone suction mat and eventually a full line of feeding gear designed to support your baby’s feeding and developmenta...

#113: Your baby does not need solid foods at 4 or 5 months…but that does not mean there is nothing to do. In this episode, I’m walking you through the pre-feeding skills that help your baby get ready for a safer, smoother start to solid foods at 6 months. We’ll cover what to practice now, what not to rush, and how to use this waiting window to feel more confident before that first bite. Listen to...

#112: If you’ve ever thought, I do not want my baby to grow up with all of the messed up food stuff I grew up with, this episode is for you. In this conversation, registered dietitian Vanessa Rissetto joins me to talk about diet culture, the pressure parents feel around feeding, and how to start fostering a healthier relationship with food for your baby from the very beginning. Vanessa breaks down...

#111: What should you actually buy at the grocery store when your baby is getting ready to start solid foods? In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple first-week grocery list for baby-led weaning: what to buy, what to skip, and why you do not need special “baby” foods to give your baby a safe start. From produce to proteins, allergenic foods, dairy, and the baby food aisle, you’ll learn h...

#110: If your baby is on the smaller side and you’ve been told to start solid foods early to help your baby gain weight, this episode is for you. That advice can feel scary and confusing, especially if your baby is not showing the signs of readiness to start solid foods yet. In this episode, pediatric dietitian Rosan Meyer, PhD, RD explains why starting solid foods early will not help with catch-u...

#109: Still stuck in puree mode, but know your baby needs to move to finger foods? In this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to transition from spoon-feeding to baby-led weaning, what to do if you started too early, and how to offer finger foods safely without second-guessing every bite. And even if finger foods still feel a little scary right now, if your baby is ready, I’m going to help you feel...

#108: Do babies need probiotics? If you’ve been hearing all the buzz about gut health, the microbiome, and supplements — and wondering whether your baby needs probiotics too — this episode will help you cut through the noise. In this episode, registered dietitians James Marin, RD, EN and Dahlia Marin, RDN, LD of Married to Health break down what parents actually need to know about probiotics for b...

#107: Heading back to work and wondering if baby-led weaning can still work for your family? In this episode, you’ll hear from three real moms who share how they balanced work, daycare, and starting solid foods…all without giving up on their goal of raising an independent eater. And if daycare is the part you’re most worried about, grab my free guide How to Be a Baby-Led Weaning Advocate at Daycar...

#106: Want your baby to eat modified versions of the same meals the rest of the family is eating…without making separate food? In this episode, Ellie Krieger, RD shares practical one-pot, one-pan, and sheet pan meal ideas that make baby-led weaning easier, faster, and less stressful. You’ll learn how to adapt family meals for your baby, offer real flavor without relying on salt, and make wholesome...

#105: If the mess of baby-led weaning feels overwhelming, you are not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 practical survival skills to help you manage the mess without getting in the way of self-feeding. Listen to this episode to learn: 1.  How to handle the baby-led weaning mess without getting in the way of self-feeding 2. What bibs, mats, bowls, and cleanup strategies actually make meal...

#104: Iron is one of the nutrients parents worry about most when starting solid foods, and this episode introduces a surprisingly simple tool that may help. I’m joined by Gavin Armstrong, PhD, founder of Lucky Iron Fish, to talk about how this iron cooking tool works, how families use it in real life, and what parents should know about safety and iron intake for babies. Listen to this episode to l...

#103: Not sure what to feed your baby in the very first week of starting solid foods? In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple 7-day syllabus featuring 5 easy baby-led weaning foods every baby can easily eat. I call it a syllabus because, just like any good course, this week gives you a clear structure, a logical starting point, and a step-by-step roadmap so you can begin with less overwh...

#102 In Part 2 of this conversation with Gill Rapley, PhD, the founding philosopher of the baby-led weaning approach, we look ahead at the future of baby-led weaning. Gill shares where she hopes the research will go, how social media has both helped and complicated the conversation around baby-led weaning, and why trust, respect, and shared family meals remain at the heart of the philosophy. We al...

#101: Should your baby learn to drink from an open cup or a straw cup first? In this episode, pediatric swallowing specialist Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP, explains why open cup drinking comes first, how it supports feeding and speech development, and when to introduce a straw cup. You’ll learn the developmental reasons behind both skills and how to help your baby build confidence with drinking at...