014: Starting Your Baby on Solids & The Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning with Angela Wallace

The Ultimate Baby Podcast

On today's show I have registered dietitian, family food expert, and mama Angela Wallace. She specializes in women and children's nutrition and fitness. She loves to support families in transitioning their littles to solid foods, weaning, and tackling picky eating.

I loved picking Angela's brain on this topic. It was so relevant since we on our solid food journey and I had so many juicy questions which I am sure will relate to so many going through this stage. We get into everything from what are the best foods to start your baby on, baby-led weaning vs. pureed foods, introducing allergenic foods, how to know if baby is choking or gagging and important nutrient dense foods your baby should be eating.

An incredible conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Highlights from this episode:

• Sarelle’s 45-week milestones
• When should you start your baby on solids?
• Babies digestive systems mature by 6 months old
• The traditional vs. baby-led weaning (BLW) approach to feeding your baby
• Sarelle’s 1st food
• Why you should start your baby on iron-rich foods first
• Follow your baby’s cue on hunger and fullness
• Aim to feed your baby 1 to 2 tbsp of food
• Thoughts on baby feeders - mesh vs. silicone
• Plates or sectioned trays are great for picky/fussy eaters
• Babies learn to bite, chew, and swallow
• Offer water with mealtime
• How much water should babies intake?
• Sippy cups can impact teeth and dental hygiene
• Baby-led weaning starts with larger pieces of soft food
• Babies develop the pincer grasp between 8-10 months old
• If you offer your baby pureed foods only, change up the textures
• The differences between gagging and choking
• Gagging or choking can happen whether you feed your baby purees or BLW
• Common allergens and how to properly introduce them
• Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction
• Feed your baby a variety of foods in the first 2 years
• Healthy fats are important for brain development
• Baby massages help encourage digestion
• Foods with P (peaches, pears, plums, prunes) help constipation
• Foods to avoid feeding baby before 1 years old
• Baby-led weaning (BLW) book recommendations
• The benefits of baby-led weaning

Show sponsor:

Nook Sleep (use the code ULTIMATEBABY to save 15% off)

Bebcare Hear - Digital Audio Baby Monitor - use the code "ultimatebaby" to save 10% off

Related links: Follow @marniwasserman and @ultimatehealthpodcast on Instagram for Sarelle (baby TUB) updates

Angela Wallace's website (Eat Right Feel Right)

Follow Angela Wallace (Eat Right Feel Right) on Facebook and Instagram

Intuitive Introductions - Baby Led Weaning Course

Boon Easy Grip Frozen Food Silcone Feeder

NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder

Munchkin 360 Trainer Cup

Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett - Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide To Introducing Solids (book)

Jenna Helwig - Baby-Led Feeding: A Natural Way to Raise Happy, Independent Eaters (book)

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