Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro

#32: Postpartum depression affects 1 in 10 mothers—but not all moms feel comfortable talking about it. In this episode, mom of two Carissa Rose shares how her struggle with postpartum depression after the birth of her first baby left her feeling like a failure—until starting solid foods with baby-led weaning gave her a new sense of purpose. Carissa explains how feeding her babies 100 different foods helped her reconnect with motherhood and find success on her own terms. Listen to this episode to learn: 1. How post-partum depression impacted Carissa’s ability to feed and care for her infant…and how social media impacted her feelings of adequacy when struggling with breastfeeding  2. What types of support and intervention helped Carissa through her difficult time…and how having a solid food feeding plan to follow gave her motivation to get out of bed some days 3. What to do if you are experiencing feelings of hopelessness or depression as a new mom…and who to connect with or contact for help Shownotes for this episode can be found here: https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/32 Links from this episode: • Postpartum Support International provides 24/7 confidential support via phone or text and access to support groups and trained mental health providers at https://www.postpartum.net  • Check out Carissa’s photography Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/carissarosephotography/  • 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginners Other Episodes Related to This Topic: • Episode 320 - Supporting Your Baby: Empathy, Readiness and Connection with Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd • Episode 292 - Holiday Food Stress Stuff: Coping Tips from @diaryofanhonestmom Libby Ward • Episode 72 - How to Create a Pressure-Free Feeding Environment with Jessica Setnick, MS, RD, CEDRD-S 🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱 Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS. 💯 💯 💯 💯 💯 Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN. 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#31: How can I safely feed my baby fish? Fish is one of the Big 8 allergenic foods (...the 8 foods that account for 90% of food allergy) and there’s no evidence that waiting to feed fish helps prevent allergy. So it is a food you can feed to your baby early and often, but with some precautions. In this episode we talk about types of fish babies can safely eat, both canned and fresh and how to choose a fish to feed your baby. You’ll learn about environmental, nutrition and mercury considerations when selecting fish to feed your baby, plus some ideas on which fish foods to avoid for baby-led weaning and why. Listen to this episode to learn: 1. Why fish is an important allergenic food to feed your baby early and often to help prevent fish allergy...plus some juicy tidbits and stats about fish allergy in babies 2. Advice on how to select the type of fish to feed your baby, from fresh or canned as well as environmental, nutrition and mercury considerations 3. The types of fish you do NOT want to feed your baby Shownotes for this episode can be found here: https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/31 Links from this episode: • Food Allergy Research & Education at foodallergy.com is a great place to get information about particular food allergens, like fish & fish containing ingredients • EPA & FDA Advice About Eating Fish (chart) for women who are or might become pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, and young children • Seafoodwatch.org is the official site of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and helps people make better seafood choices for a healthy ocean. Their Seafood Recommendations page can help you make ocean-friendly choices wherever you are. • 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginners Other episode related to this topic: • Episode 232 - Tuna Talk: Is it Safe for Babies to Eat Canned Tuna with @consumerreports Michael K. Hansen, PhD 🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱 Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS. 💯 💯 💯 💯 💯 Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN. 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive BLW community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Heather Dvorak, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and mother of four, shares her expertise on balancing breastfeeding with baby-led weaning, even amidst food allergies. She offers practical strategies for continuing breastfeeding while introducing solids, emphasizing the need to respond to baby cues. Heather also discusses the emotional connections fostered through breastfeeding and provides individualized tips for parents aiming to navigate solid food introductions while still nurturing their child's development.

#29: How do you feed your baby wheat? Wheat is one of the Big 8 allergenic foods...the 8 foods that account for about 90% of food allergy. And it’s one of the easier foods to introduce early and often for your baby.In this episode you will learn some easy ways to introduce your baby to wheat foods for baby-led weaning. And we’ll also cover why some people say babies should not have or can’t digest wheat foods and why that is not true (...unless your baby has a true wheat allergy!)Listen to this episode to learn: 1. Why there is more benefit to introducing wheat foods to your baby early and often vs. withholding these foods.  2. A variety of ways to introduce wheat to your baby using baby-led weaning foods that babies can safely self-feed from 6 months of age on 3. Why concerns about feeding your baby grain foods are mostly bogus (...with a few exceptions), but spoiler alert: almost all babies CAN safely digest grain & wheat foodsShownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/29Links 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginnersOther episodes related to this topic: • Episode 183 - Bread: When Can Babies Safely Eat Bread?🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.💯 💯 💯 💯 💯Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.👀 👀 👀 👀 👀Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely.🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting solids with your baby can be thrilling, but what do you do when constipation strikes? The discussion dives into why constipation happens and highlights signs to watch for. Learn about the difference between typical and problematic constipation. Explore safe remedies and dietary tips to keep things moving smoothly. Parents will find insights on gut health crucial during this exciting transition!

#27: Honey might seem like a natural, harmless food—but it can actually be dangerous for babies under age 1. In this episode, we’re breaking down why honey can cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness, and why it’s also considered an added sugar that babies don’t need. Learn what makes honey risky, how to spot hidden sources of it, and what to offer your baby instead.Listen to this episode to learn: 1. Why babies should avoid honey; how honey contributes to infant botulism and a little bit about how botulism is a very rare - but real - risk 2. Why baked goods with added sweeteners and sugars shouldn’t be a high priority food for your baby…but how to sub out honey if you need to 3. Tips for preventing added sweeteners and sugars from sneaking into your baby’s diet...plus more info on packaged goods with honey as an ingredient and whether or not they’re ok for babies to eatShownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/27Links 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginnersOther Episodes Related to This Topic: • Episode 68 - Sugar and Why Your Baby Should Avoid it with Robert Lustig, MD, MSL • Episode 269 - Agave: Is it Safe to Offer Babies Agave in Place of Added Sugar? • Episode 309 - Added Sugars: Which Ones to Avoid for BLW🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.💯 💯 💯 💯 💯Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.👀 👀 👀 👀 👀Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely.🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover essential kitchen tools that make baby-led weaning a breeze! Learn about indispensable items like grape cutters and cherry pitters to enhance food safety. Find out how to repurpose common kitchen gadgets for meal prep success. You'll also hear about the top four gimmicky products to avoid, saving you time and money. Plus, check out creative ideas to involve your little one in the cooking process, making mealtime fun and engaging for both parents and babies!

#25: Not sure what to feed your baby in the first week of baby-led weaning? In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple 5-day schedule to kick off solids with confidence. You’ll learn how to safely introduce real foods, why variety matters from day one, and how to avoid common first-week mistakes.Ready to plan out week 2? Download my free guide, “10 Easy Starter Foods for Baby-Led Weaning,” to keep the momentum going: https://babyledweaning.co/resourcesListen to this episode to learn: 1. The step-by-step playbook for the first 5 days of baby-led weaning...if you’re on board with self-feeding but not sure WHAT foods to feed, this episode is for you! 2. The importance of introducing 1 new low risk food per day 4 days per week and making that 5th new food each week be an allergenic food 3. How following this plan for the first week of baby-led weaning will skyrocket your confidence in your baby’s ability to self-feed these foods safely! (...even if you want to start with purees for a few days!)Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/25Links from this episode: • Free Feeding Guide: “10 Easy Starter Foods for Baby-Led Weaning: https://babyledweaning.co/resources • 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginnersOther episodes related to this topic: • Episode 5 - The Purees for a Few Days™ Approach to Starting Solid Foods with Baby-Led Weaning: a Feeding Guide • Episode 12 - Why You Don’t Need to Wait 3-5 Days Between Trying New Foods🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.💯 💯 💯 💯 💯Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.👀 👀 👀 👀 👀Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely.🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#24: How much water should my baby drink? Do babies even need water? And if they do need water, when and how is the best way to give babies water?In this episode we’re diving deep into your baby’s fluid needs. Breastmilk and/or formula meets the majority of baby’s water needs, plus the foods your baby is learning to eat contribute fluid too.Adding extra water to your baby’s diet can be a problem. In this episode I map out the two primary problems with adding additional water too early…but also show you when you do add water, an easy way to make sure you’re offering your baby enough but not too much water.Listen to this episode to learn: 1. Why most babies do not need extra water before 6 months…and why you should take it easy on water in the second half of infancy too 2. How breastmilk, formula and the new foods your baby is learning to eat contribute to hydration 3. The safest way to introduce water to your baby when they are ready and how to avoid giving too muchShownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/24Links from this episode: • ezpz Tiny Cup for 6-12 month olds. Get 15% off all ezpz feeding gear when you use the code BABYLED at checkout; click here to shop. • 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginnersOther Episodes Related to This Topic: • Episode 40 - 6 Reasons to Skip the Sippy Cup with Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP • Episode 101 - Straw Cup vs. Open Cups: Which Comes First? with Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP • Episode 281 - Water: Why Offering Water to Early Eaters Can be Dangerous🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.💯 💯 💯 💯 💯Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.👀 👀 👀 👀 👀Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely.🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#23: Ever wonder if feeding your baby fruit is going to give your baby a sweet tooth? Does offering fruit before vegetables cause babies to crave sweet foods?Fruit is an important food group for your baby to tackle...but too much of a good thing is not a good thing! In this episode we explore why fruit is your friend (...albeit in moderation), why your baby does not need juice and tips on how to serve baby-led weaning fruits safely to your baby. Listen to this episode to learn: 1. Why babies naturally prefer sweet flavors…but it doesn’t mean your baby has a “sweet tooth” 2. The science behind early food preferences and taste development 3. How to safely introduce fruit to your baby…without overdoing it or introducing fruit juiceShownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/23Links 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://babyledweaning.co/baby-led-weaning-for-beginnersOther Episodes Related to this Topic • Episode 149 - Pouches: Why Your Baby Doesn't Need to Suck Pureed Food Out of Pouches with @msdawnslp Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP • Episode 155 - Bitter Vegetables: How to Safely Offer Bitter Vegetables for Baby-Led Weaning • Episode 209 - Fruit Vacation: How to Help Babies Who Overly Favor Fruit • Episode 316 - Taste Preferences in Babies: When and How do They Develop? with Alison Ventura, PhD • Episode 498 - Taste Training: Introducing Flavors to Babies with @getpermissioninstitute Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.💯 💯 💯 💯 💯Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.👀 👀 👀 👀 👀Be sure to follow @babyledweanteam on Instagram and our Baby-Led Weaning YouTube channel for more information about helping your baby transition to solid foods safely.🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices