Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro

#500: Baby-Led Weaning is not a made up thing on the internet…it’s a revolutionary approach that has transformed how we think about feeding babies. Once a fringe idea, baby-led weaning has entered the mainstream, backed by research and embraced by parents and professionals worldwide. In this special final episode, Gill Rapley, the founding philosopher of the baby-led weaning movement and co-author...

#499: Name another texture besides puree that your baby can safely eat. Most people can’t describe safe textures for finger foods…but that’s exactly what we’re doing in this episode - running down 10 new food textures for your baby to try…that aren’t purees. Listen to this episode to learn: How to help early eaters in phase 1 of baby-led weaning progress beyond puree textures What to do if you’re...

#498 - Taste training can help familiarize your baby with the diverse tastes, textures and smells of food - even before they start solid food. Marsha Dunn Klein from the Get Permission Institute explains how to safely initiate taste training. Listen to this episode to learn: What taste training is and how it helps set the foundation for independent eating later on How taste training supports senso...

#497: What if your baby isn’t eating that much early on? Or they’re spitting everything out or crying in their high chair. What finger foods do I even offer? In this episode I’m walking you through the first few days of baby-led weaning and starting solid foods so you know what to expect when you and your baby get going. Listen to this episode to learn: How long most early eaters can be expected t...

#496 - The gag reflex is a natural and necessary part of your baby’s feeding development, but it can be a source of anxiety for parents starting solid foods. In this episode, Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and pediatric feeding expert, breaks down what the gag reflex is, why babies gag on food, and how to distinguish between gagging and choking. Learn practical strateg...

#495: I feel like 500 episodes is a good place to wrap it up with this podcast. Here’s how I’m winding down the podcast at the end of the year…and how I’m keeping the baby-led weaning content flowing for you. Listen to this episode to learn: Why I’m stopping the podcast at episode 500 at the end of the year (...with a big final guest!) Where to go for more free information about starting solid foo...

#494: Baby-led weaning is all about introducing your baby to real food…but not all foods are safe for early eaters. In this episode, we’re breaking down five common foods that could pose a choking hazard or aren’t ideal for babies in the first phase of baby-led weaning…and then I explain how to safely swap and prepare versions of each food so you are confident your baby CAN safely eat these 5 new...

#493: Can vegetarian families do baby-led weaning? In this episode, we explore how plant-based families can successfully navigate baby-led weaning while ensuring their baby gets all the nutrition they need. Learn about key nutrients such as iron, protein, and omega-3s, plus practical tips for preparing safe, baby-led weaning-friendly vegetarian finger foods. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or ju...

#492: A stroller brand that designed an amazing high chair? It’s almost unheard of but the Mockingbird High Chair is one of the best high chairs for baby-led weaning. Mockingbird’s VP of Product Stephanie Kaplan explains the unique design and safety features that set this high chair apart (...without breaking the bank). Listen to this episode to learn: How a stroller brand came to design one of th...

#491: The German-engineered Cybex Lemo 3-in-1 high chair outshines almost every standard American high chair…yet it’s surprisingly under the radar in the US. The Lemo is a standout, offering exceptional quality and thoughtful design that you might consider if you’re shopping for a safe seat where your baby can learn to eat.  Listen to this episode to learn: How the adjustable footrest design of th...

#490 - The Tripp Trapp by Stokke and Stokke Nomi high chairs are two of the best for baby-led weaning…but how do you decide? Listen to hear how both of these chairs stack up with regard to design, ease of use and cleaning, portability and price. Listen to this episode to learn: Pros and cons of both the Tripp Trapp by Stokke and Stokke Nomi high chairs from price, ease of use and cleaning Which on...

#489: Can a safe, functional high chair also blend beautifully into your home? Stin Kuo thinks so. He’s co-founder of the baby brand Unilove that recently launched 2 high chairs in the US market: the Grow with Me and FeedMe Go portable high chair which are revolutionizing mealtimes for busy families. Listen to this episode to learn: How Stin and Unilove modified their high chairs for entry into th...

#488: A high chair is the biggest purchase you’ll make in the second half of infancy. In this episode we’ll cover some high chairs that support a safe swallow, support independent eating, accommodate early eaters but grow with your child as well…all without breaking the bank. Listen to this episode to learn: Why some of the fanciest high chairs are actually unsafe What are the features you want in...

#487: What if your baby can’t eat or doesn’t eat eggs? The internet is full of egg substitute ideas, but a lot of them don’t actually work. Here are the ones I use when making egg-free foods for babies. Listen to this episode to learn: Which type of babies can’t have eggs and why What eggs do in baking and cooking…and what happens when you leave them out How to make egg substitutes in your own kit...

#486: What’s going to change at mealtimes when your baby becomes a toddler? Dr. Cathryn Tobin from @healthiest_baby is here to explain toddler behavior and the shift in eating patterns you’ll experience as your baby gets bigger.  Listen to this episode to learn: What to expect at toddler mealtimes when your baby gets bigger and more selective How you can project “big-hearted parent” love while sti...

#485: Does your baby’s silicone feeding gear ever taste like soap? There are some easy household remedies to get rid of the soapy smell so your baby can get back to tasting all of the new foods you’re offering. Listen to this episode to learn: Why some silicone feeding gear ends up tasting like soap How to remove the soapy taste using items you already have in your kitchen Which non-toxic househol...

#484: Can your baby eat enough to meet their nutrition needs if you skip spoon-feeding? Researcher Kinzie Matzeller discusses her recent research about baby-led weaning and whether or not it actually works. Listen to this episode to learn: What the existing body of research says about baby-led weaning…and why doctors still say they aren’t sure if it “works” How Kinzie analyzed existing publication...

#483: Bring that baby up to the table for Thanksgiving! In this episode we’re digging through the Thanksgiving menu to find foods that babies can safely eat for baby-led weaning. From turkey to mashed potatoes and roasted veggies on the side, I’m sharing my favorite Thanksgiving foods for babies (plus advice on which holiday meal foods to pass on too). 🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱 Not sure about which foods to of...

#482: Picking a high chair is overwhelming. You want it to look nice, be affordable, fit in your kitchen, be easy to clean…but most importantly your high chair should provide a safe seat where your baby can eat. Joan Muratore is in charge of high chair safety testing for Consumer Reports and in this interview she walks us through every safety feature you didn’t know your high chair has plus how th...

#481: How do you make chicken safe for babies to eat? If your family eats animal foods then there are nutrition, flavor, taste and texture benefits to trying out chicken. But learning how to make chicken safely for early eaters can be a challenge. Listen to learn the best ways to make chicken for baby-led weaning to help lower choking risk. Listen to this episode to learn: When it’s ok to introduc...

#480: Does your baby really go from drinking infant milk to eating actual avocado? New mom Kelsey Joy Tran shares her experience of the first 8 weeks of starting solid foods with baby-led weaning for her son Maverick. From his potential egg allergy to getting over their parental fear of choking, Kelsey explains how she and her husband helped Maverick eat 50 new foods already using baby-led weaning...

#479: Does your baby need teeth to eat? Chewing is more about jaw strength and coordination than having teeth…and you would be surprised how many soft foods your baby can eat before they have a tooth or teeth. In this episode we explore how to safely offer finger fods to your baby before they have teeth. Listen to this episode to learn: Which finger foods you should wait until your baby has a leas...

#478: Nightshade vegetables sound…shady. Scary. What are they and why are parents asking more about eggplant allergy in their babies? Pediatric allergies Dr. David Stukus is here to talk about nightshade vegetables, whether babies can be allergic to them and what to do if your baby has a reaction to a new vegetable (...or any food). Listen to this episode to learn: What nightshade vegetables are a...

#477: Does it cost more to do baby-led weaning or conventional adult-led spoon-feeding? In this episode I’ll break down the cost of one week of trying 5 new foods for your baby…with receipts so you can make the call whether or not this approach is worth your time (and money). Listen to this episode to learn: How to streamline your baby food prep so you’re not making special food just for the baby...

#476: How were you different before you had a baby? Are there parts of your pre-kids life that you’d like to go back to? Sara Dean is here with actionable exercises, talking points and activities to help you regain your identity after motherhood. Listen to this episode to learn: How to stand up for yourself and voice dissenting opinions without sounding like a whiner How to relate to children with...