Sensory play doesn’t just mean bins of dried beans or rice (...which are a choking hazard for early eaters). Instead, it’s a powerful tool at the table for your baby. Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP joins me to explore how sensory play supports your baby’s feeding development…and we talk about why letting your baby touch, smell and even play with food helps build feeding skills, reduces severe picky eating and supports overall sensory regulation. Bonus points for using the food you’re already making for baby-led weaning to make this happen!

Learn how to make leafy greens safe for your baby: raw greens like spinach are a choking hazard and crunchy kale chips are too. In this episode I’m walking you through some easy ways to make spinach safe for early eaters, plus combination food recipe ideas for older babies too.

Worried about introducing allergenic foods like peanut, egg, or tree nuts to your baby? You’re not alone…but the latest research shows that early, consistent introduction can actually help prevent food allergies. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kelly Clear, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and Medical Director of FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), to unpack the new rules for allergen introduction. We’re breaking down why so many parents still feel fear, what the Eat Early, Eat Often campaign is all about, and how to confidently feed allergenic foods—even if food allergies run in your family.

One of the biggest hurdles to baby-led weaning can be… the grandparents. When the people helping care for your baby don’t understand or agree with how you’re feeding them, tensions can rise. In this episode, I’m joined by Aaron Larsen, founder of The Grandparents Academy, to talk about how adult parents can better communicate with their own parents about baby-led weaning and other modern parenting choices.. If you want to honor the important role your baby’s grandparents play while sticking to your feeding philosophy, this episode will show you how.

What should you do if your baby has an allergic reaction to food? In this episode, pediatrician and food allergy expert Dr. Ron Sunog shares clear, practical guidance for parents navigating allergenic food introduction. You’ll learn the signs to watch for of true food allergy vs. a run-of-the-mill contact rash, how to be prepared for allergic reactions (...no, you don’t need to park in the emergency department driveway to introduce your baby to peanut!), and how to get past your fear of allergic reactions so you can safely offer your baby allergenic foods early and often (since it’s the only way you can help lower your baby’s risk of food allergy down the road!)

Worried that you missed your chance to start baby-led weaning? Maybe you started with purees, got a late start start, or are scared to try out finger foods. Whatever the reason you’re feeling behind - it’s not too late to make the switch to solid foods. In this episode I’m explaining why starting solid foods around the 6 month mark isn’t the only path to success…and practical tips like how to “turn the spoon around” as a way to move beyond purees into self-feeding trickier textures. We’ll cover the “flavor window” - a phase when babies are most receptive to trying new foods and flavors and tastes and textures, which you can definitely use to your advantage, even if you’re feeling a little late and need to catch your baby up with real foods.

Sure it’s cute to see a dog licking up the baby’s leftovers...but is that actually a good idea? In this episode veterinarian Alexandra Parry is sharing tons of tips for your whole (furry) family when it comes to mixing dogs with starting solid foods. Dr. Parry is diving deep on all sorts of dog-related “Do’s and Don’ts”, some of which will surprise you. Like maybe you knew grapes were toxic to dogs and they shouldn’t have chocolate…but she goes through the 100 First Foods list with other foods that can be dangerous to dogs too. As a mom of two who is doing baby-led weaning in real time, Dr. Parry understands the desire for parents to have their dogs involved at mealtimes; but as a vet who was also bit in the face by her own dog as a child, she shares some valuable insight about behaviors to avoid in order to protect your baby as they start solid foods while still fostering a good relationship with your dog.

How do you drop a milk feed? The whole point of weaning is that your baby gradually replaces the nutrition he or she was getting from breastmilk and/or formula and replaces that with the foods they’re learning how to eat. But at some point during the weaning process, we have to be proactive about dropping that first milk feed. In this episode I’m covering some ideas for gradually cutting back on your baby’s milk intake as food intake increases. Do you cut the night feed? The morning milk? And how do we set up a feeding schedule such that milk follows food as we approach your baby’s first birthday? Listen in for all you need to know about dropping milk feeds!

Is your baby an overeager eater who stuffs too much food in at once? Overstuffing is actually pretty typical - but it’s also a little scary when you’re worried about choking. In this episode, pediatric feeding expert Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP shares practical tips for managing overstuffing, big bites and fast eaters. You’ll learn what’s developmentally appropriate, how to respond in the moment, and when it’s time (and not time) to worry about overstuffing.

Trying to explain baby-led weaning to someone who doesn’t believe in it? This episode breaks down 10 research-backed benefits of baby-led weaning, perfect for when you’re faced with a skeptic (or feeling unsure yourself). From reducing severe picky eating to supporting healthy weight, better speech development, and respecting your baby’s hunger cues, these talking points will help you confidently explain why this self-feeding approach is both safe and effective. Whether you’re new to baby-led weaning or trying to win over a doubter, this list will give you the clarity—and science—you need to make the case.

Babies don’t have to eat bland food! In this episode, spice expert and cookbook author Kanchan Koya, PhD @chiefspicemama shares how to safely introduce seasonings and spices to your baby’s food. Learn which spices are safe, why they support health, and how to bring your family’s food culture into your baby’s diet from the start.

If your baby has a tongue-tie (or has had one released) you might be wondering: will this affect their ability to start solid foods? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Shaina Holman, DDS, PhD, a dentist with a rare specialty in infant tongue-ties and a research background in infant feeding. She runs a multidisciplinary infant feeding clinic in North Carolina, working alongside lactation consultants, SLPs, and infant massage therapists to take a whole-body, team-based approach to diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Shaina explains what tongue- and lip-ties are, how they can impact both milk feeding and solid feeding, and what to look out for if you’re considering - or have already done - a release. As a mom of three who’s done baby-led weaning with her own kids, she brings both clinical and practical insights to this conversation.

Ever wonder if there is a right (or wrong) temperature that the food you offer your baby should be? In this episode, we’re looking at which foods babies can have frozen, cold, room temperature and warm. We’ll also cover some basic food safety...

Many babies who rely on tube feeding can learn to eat independently…but traditional feeding approaches often fall short. In this episode, feeding therapists Jennifer Berry (OT) and Heidi Liefer Moreland (SLP) from Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics explain how trust, safety, and internal motivation play key roles in helping tube-fed babies become confident eaters. Learn how their intensive tube weaning program works, what signs to look for when a baby is ready to eat, and how responsive feeding principles apply—even with medically complex cases.

Introducing eggs early and often is key to helping prevent egg allergy…but, figuring out how to safely offer those eggs to your baby can be tricky. In this episode, I’m breaking down 7 easy ways to safely offer eggs using the baby-led weaning approach. From quick prep methods to texture tips that support self-feeding, you’ll walk away with practical ideas you can put to use in your own kitchen starting this week.

Oatmeal is a warm, familiar food, but what’s the best way to introduce oatmeal to your baby? In this episode, I’m breaking down how to safely serve oatmeal so your baby can self-feed from the start. We’re talking about which types of oatmeal to use (and which to skip), how to cook it for the right texture, and why you don’t need to buy baby-specific oatmeal to get enough iron. Plus, I’ll show you how to keep the self-feeding principles of baby-led weaning, even with puree-textured foods like oatmeal.

Let’s shine the spotlight on dads who are diving headfirst into baby-led weaning. From pediatricians and military dads to first-timers and seasoned pros, these proud fathers share what they love most about watching their babies explore real foods. Whether your partner’s already on board or needs a little nudge, these dad stories are sure to inspire.

Wondering what should actually be on your baby’s plate during baby-led weaning? In this episode, you’ll learn how to build a balanced plate using a simple structure that supports independent eating and provides the nutrients your baby needs. Learn why less variety is okay in the beginning, how to structure a 20-minute meal, and which foods go where on your baby’s plate.

Are you just starting out with baby-led weaning and FULL of questions about whether your baby can safely self-feed? Well then, this is the episode for you! I'm going rapid fire answering your questions all about getting a SAFE start to baby-led weaning.

Sesame is now officially recognized as a top allergenic food—but is it safe for your baby? In this episode, you’ll learn how to safely introduce sesame using baby-led weaning. From the rise in sesame allergies to simple and safe ways to serve tahini or black sesame powder, I’m sharing everything you need to confidently introduce this important food.

Does your one-year-old really need to drink cow’s milk? In this episode, food writer and mom of twins Sophie Egan, author of How to Be a Conscious Eater, joins me to explore the cultural, environmental, and ethical reasons some families choose to skip cow’s milk after age one. We’re digging into what it means to make conscious food choices for your baby—and your planet…and whether or not skipping cow’s milk is a good idea.

Shellfish is one of the Top 9 allergenic foods, and while it’s a common cause of food allergy in children, it’s also one of the least offered foods to babies. In this episode, we’re breaking down the safest ways to introduce shrimp, crab, scallops and more to your baby using baby-led weaning methods. I’ll share why rubbery textures can be tricky at first, how to modify shellfish into a safe form like a shrimp patty and other finger foods even the earliest eater can safely try.

If you’re searching for a sippy cup to bridge the breast or bottle before open cup…it’s time to think again. Speech-language pathologist and pediatric swallowing expert Dawn Winkelmann is back to share 6 compelling reasons to skip the sippy cup. From developmental delays to dental concerns and even safety risks of sippy cups, Dawn is going to turn you on to open cup drinking instead (and explain how to do that correctly with your baby too.)

Can you safely offer tree nuts to your baby if whole nuts and thick nut butter are choking hazards? Yes…and it’s a good idea to do tree nuts early and often! Tree nuts are one of the Top 9 allergenic foods, and early introduction may help reduce the risk of developing a tree nut allergy. In this episode, you’ll learn how to safely serve tree nuts to your baby using almond flour and thinned out nut butter. We’ll also cover why almond milk doesn’t count and how to watch for signs of an allergic reaction.

In Nigeria, many babies are traditionally weaned with pap—a cornmeal-based cereal that fills them up but falls short on essential nutrients. Latifat Okara, founder of NomNom Babies, is on a mission to change that. Through nutrition education and locally made food production, she’s helping families and healthcare providers embrace more nutrient-dense, culturally relevant foods to support healthy growth during the weaning period.