

Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro
Katie Ferraro
Is your baby ready to start solid foods but you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about baby-led weaning? Babies can eat so many more foods than we give them credit for and you don’t have to force-feed or spoon-feed to get them to eat real food!I’m Katie Ferraro, Registered Dietitian specializing in infant feeding and baby-led weaning. I’m a college nutrition professor and mom of 7, and my goal is to help you start solid foods safely using baby-led weaning.On this podcast I share practical tips on safe food preparation and starting solid foods, as well as in-depth interviews with other feeding experts. Listen to learn how you can get your baby to safely enjoy real food so that you can start enjoying mealtimes again too!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 30, 2024 • 18min
Ten Food Textures for Your Baby to Try
Discover the importance of transitioning from purees to exciting new food textures for your baby. Learn about safe finger foods like hard-boiled eggs and tofu that can enhance their eating experience. Get practical tips for preparing a variety of textures, even if cooking isn't your forte. Understand how healthy fats play a key role in development and explore ways to encourage independent eating, reducing the chances of picky eating in the future.

Dec 29, 2024 • 39min
Taste Training: Introducing Flavors to Babies with @getpermissioninstitute Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA
#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 sensory development and whether or not it increases choking risk
Why offering new flavors, tastes, textures and aromas in the pre-feeding phase is beneficial
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/498Links from this episode:
The Get Permission Institute Founded by Marsha Dunn Klein: https://getpermissioninstitute.com/
Buy Marsha’s Heart Teether and get 20% off with the affiliate discount code MARSHA20 https://specialsupplies.com/teether-heart-spoon-3-pack-pink-blue-green
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 428 - Mouthing Objects: What does this mean about my baby’s ability to start solid foods? with Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA
Episode 320 - Supporting Your Baby: Empathy, Readiness and Connection with Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd
Episode 290 - Pre-Feeding Skills: What Can My Baby Do Before Beginning Solid Foods? with 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 and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive BLW community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 28, 2024 • 22min
The First Few Days of Baby-Led Weaning: What Should I Expect?
#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 to sit in their high chair and participate at mealtimes
What to do if your baby isn’t eating that much the first few days and weeks and why that’s ok
Why offering finger foods early on is ideal…even if you’re convinced purees “feel” safer
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/497Links 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-beginners
Other Episodes Related to this Topic
Episode 185 - 6-7 Months Old Babies: Sample BLW Feeding Schedule
Episode 199 - Beginner's Guide to Baby-Led Weaning: Starting Solid Foods Safely with Baby-Led Weaning
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱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

Dec 27, 2024 • 38min
Understanding the Gag Reflex and Why Babies Gag on Food with Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP
#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 strategies to support your baby through this phase and build confidence in their ability to learn to safely eat real food.Listen to this episode to learn:
Why babies gag on food and what’s happening inside their mouth when they are gagging
How to react when your baby gags on food so that you don’t increase the risk of choking
When gagging starts to subside in both frequency and intensity…and why gagging is a good thing!
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/496Links from this episode:
Choking Prevention and Response Course co-taught by Katie, Dawn and CPR Instructor Brandon Doerksen (use code KATIE10 for an additional $10 off): https://courses.thrivetraininginstitute.com/pages/babyledweanteam
ezpz Oral Development Tools (use affiliate code KATIE10 for 10% off) - shop Oral Development Tools here.
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 4 - Gagging vs. Choking: What is the Difference?
Episode 238 - 5 Choking Prevention Tips with Brandon Doerksen
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱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

Dec 23, 2024 • 23min
Winding Down the Baby-Led Weaning Podcast
#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 foods safely
What the reboot of the podcast will look like in the New Year when it starts over at episode 1
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/495Links 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-beginners
Other Episodes Related to this Topic
Episode 400 - A Few Surprising Things About this Podcast...Looking Back at 400 Episodes
Episode 225 - Behind the Scenes: Making the Baby-Led Weaning Made Easy Podcast
Episode 100 - Behind the Scenes: Making the Baby-Led Weaning Made Easy Podcast
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱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

Dec 19, 2024 • 24min
Eat This, Not That: 5 Safe Food Swaps for Baby-Led Weaning
#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 foods.Listen to this episode to learn:
Why a food that sounds like a choking hazard can actually be safe…if you prepare it properly
Which 5 foods I don’t offer to early eaters…but how you can modify the so they are safe
The exact cuts of beef to use instead of offering your baby steak (which is a choking hazard)
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/494Links 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-beginners
Other Episodes Related to this Topic
Episode 469 - Breaking Off a Small Bite: Is This a Choking Risk?
Episode 383 - Beef: How to Safely Offer Beef to Babies
Episode 41 - Shellfish: How to Introduce Your Baby to this Potentially Allergenic Food
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱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

5 snips
Dec 18, 2024 • 20min
Vegetarian Baby-Led Weaning: A Practical Guide for Plant-Based Families
Plant-based families can successfully navigate baby-led weaning while ensuring their infants get essential nutrition. Discover key nutrients like iron, protein, and omega-3s vital for vegetarian diets. Learn practical tips for preparing safe finger foods and the importance of introducing diverse foods to promote healthy eating habits. Get insights into how some vegan families handle allergenic foods and strategies for safely introducing new flavors. This guide helps raise confident eaters, even without meat in their meals.

Dec 12, 2024 • 48min
Mockingbird High Chair Review with @hello_mockingbird Stephanie Kaplan
#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 the best high chairs for baby-led weaning
Why Mockingbird scrapped their plans to create a cushion for their high chair
How the Mockingbird High Chair incorporates safety, ease of use and cleaning at an affordable price point
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/492Links from this episode:
Shop the Mockingbird high chair here. Receive a free Early Eaters Dishware Set ($45 value) when you purchase the Mockingbird high chair using the code BABYLED.
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 488 - Best High Chairs for Baby-Led Weaning
Episode 482 - High Chair Safety Testing with @consumerreports Joan Muratore
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱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

Dec 11, 2024 • 20min
Cybex Lemo 3-in-1 High Chair Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
#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 the Cybex Lemo far exceeds American high chair brands
Which add on accessory to this chair will change your life when your baby becomes a toddler
How the Lemo stacks up in price and performance to the Mockingbird and Stokke Tripp Trapp and Nomi high chairs
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/491
Links from this episode:
Shop the Cybex Lemo 3-in-1- high chair on Amazon (pro tip: check all colors as some are cheaper than others); click here to shop
Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair: receive a free Stokke Tripp Trapp tray ($79 value) when you purchase the Tripp Trapp high chair from Stokke using the code BABYLED1; click here to shop
Stokke Nomi high chair: receive a free Stokke Nomi tray ($79 value) when you purchase the Nomi high chair from Stokke using the code BABYLED1; click here to shop
Mockingbird high chair: receive a free Early Eaters Dishware Set ($50 value) when you purchase the Mockingbird high chair from Mockingbird using the code BABYLED; 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-beginners
Other Episodes Related to this Topic
Episode 488 - Best High Chairs for Baby-Led Weaning
Episode 7 - Why Your Baby’s High Chair Needs a Footrest
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱
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

Dec 10, 2024 • 25min
Tripp Trapp vs. Nomi High Chair: Which One is Better?
#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 one works better for smaller spaces and the one that totally wins out if you plan to have more kids
Why you have to buy these high chair trays for $79 separately…but also how you can get them for free
Shownotes for this episode can be found here:
https://www.babyledweaning.co/podcast/490
Links from this episode:
Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair: receive a free Stokke Tripp Trapp tray ($79 value) when you purchase the Tripp Trapp high chair from Stokke using the code BABYLED1; click here to shop
Stokke Nomi high chair: receive a free Stokke Nomi tray ($79 value) when you purchase the Nomi high chair from Stokke using the code BABYLED1; click here to shop
Stokke Clikk high chair: receive a free Stokke travel bag ($45 value) when you purchase the Stokke Clikk high chair from Stokke using the code BABYLED1; 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-beginners
Other Episodes Related to this Topic
Episode 488 - Best High Chairs for Baby-Led Weaning
Episode 7 - Why Your Baby’s High Chair Needs a Footrest
🌱 🌱🌱🌱 🌱
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


