The big 9 food allergens make up for ~90% of all diagnosed food allergies. These include: egg, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish, peanut, tree nut, soy and sesame. The general recommendation is to introduce food allergens EARLY and OFTEN. As soon as your baby meets the criteria to start solids you can start introducing allergens. Introduce an allergen by itself and early in the day (not before a nap/bedtime) so you can monitor your child in the case they have a reaction. Once you have introduced that allergen, keep it in your food rotation as most reactions do not occur until subsequent exposures.

Your baby is born with the internal capability to regulate their food intake. It is the child’s responsibility to decide how much they eat and whether or not they eat. Don’t get caught up in the portion sizes. Start by offering small portions and adjust as needed once your baby gets more familiar with eating food. Fostering their intuitive eating skills is important. Signs of Hunger - Reaching for food - Opening mouth - Pointing to food - Excitement at sight of food Signs of Fullness - Playing/throwing food - Turning head away from food - Losing interest/ slowed down pace - Batting spoon away

Here are 10 great first foods when starting BLW with your baby. - Sweet potato - Pork shoulder - Omelet (allergen) - Mango - Plain (full fat) Greek yogurt - Pasta (allergen) - Zucchini - Broccoli floret - Ground beef strips - Avocado Coming up with ideas of what foods to serve your baby can be overwhelming. Where do I even start? I came up with a 100 foods before one guide that includes a 9-week sample calendar with 5 new foods each week. This also includes a 100 foods checklist so you can document your progress.

Checklist to know if baby is ready for solids: ✅ 6 months old AND ✅Can sit relatively unassisted on the floor - good trunk support ✅Brings toys or objects to their mouth ✅Shows an interest in food Breastmilk and/or formula is sufficient to meet a baby’s nutritional needs up until 6 months of age. There is no nutritional benefit in starting solids prior to 6 months. It is also okay if the baby is not quite ready at 6 months. Observe their readiness and know that even a week or two can make a big difference. If your baby was born premature, make sure to use their adjusted age when starting solids.

The period of 6-12 months is a time of practice for baby to learn how to eat. The goal by 12 months of age is for solid food to be the primary source of nutrition. As you begin to start solids, I recommend doing whatever works best in your schedule and what you are comfortable with. It is best to offer new foods at home so typically it would be breakfast or supper meal. Here are some general recommendations on how often to offer solids. 6-7 months ➡️ 1-2 times per d ay 8-9 months ➡️ 2-3 times per day 10+ months ➡️ 3 times per day

1. Continue exposing them to new foods. Offer a new food along with a “safe” food which is widely accepted. 2. Avoid force feeding or bribery for tasting new foods. This may cause a negative association with meals. 3. Eat with your child. Sitting at the table with your child can help give them confidence to try a new food, especially if you are eating it. 4. Involve your child in making a meal. Children who help in the kitchen are more likely to eat it! 5. Try sensory play with foods separate from meal time for an added exposure.

Snacks are really just mini meals.. something to tide them over until the next meal is served. I like the snacks I choose to have a source of protein & fiber. I also try to pair an item from the fridge with an item from the pantry. Does this always happen? Nope and that’s totally ok. Sometimes a snack may look like goldfish, a cookie, or granola bar and I’m here for that. 5 snack ideas -Pepitas & blueberries -String cheese & fruit strip -Hard boiled egg & animal crackers -Energy bite & milk -Banana peanut butter split sprinkled with granola

The Division of Responsibility is an evidenced-based approach coined by Ellen Satter. This theory establishes clear roles for the parent/caregiver and child so you can create a supportive and positive mealtime experience. In simple terms, parents provide and the child decides. Parent/caregiver Responsibilities WHAT food is offered WHEN meals take place WHERE meals are held Child’s Responsibilities How Much they eat Whether or not they eat When you follow the division of responsibility the goal is to raise competent and intuitive eaters.

Make Mealtime FUN - Eliminate the stress and keep mealtimes relaxed and comfortable for all Check Feeding Schedule - Too many snacks can be a big culprit of poor intake at mealtimes. Set a meal/snack schedule so they can know what to expect Include Favorite Foods - Serve a "safe" food with a new food. Our goal is not to eliminate favorite foods but expand variety in palate. Mix up Utensils & Dishes - Try serving food on a platter or in a muffin tin. Allow your child to use tongs or a large serving spoon to eat with. Serve it Family Style - Let your toddler build their plate with what is available. Help in the Kitchen- Getting your child involved with preparation can help them feel more comfortable with trying new food. Make it Appealing - Focus on color, add sprinkles, use cookie cutters, design their plate, serve dipping sauces, use skewers, etc. Monitor Milk Consumption - Too much milk consumption during the day can fill their bellies and interfere with meals. Try only offering milk at meal times. Up to 16-20 oz/day is recommended.

Check out these ideas to help your toddler sit and stay seated at the table during meals.. 1. Create a mealtime ritual Provide your child with a 5 minute “heads up” that meal time is approaching. Try a mini dance party to get the sillies out before it is time to sit. 2.Check your child’s seat Make sure they are positioned appropriately where they can reach the table and are comfortable. Creating a 90-degree angle for their feet can make a big difference. 3.Try a visual timer A sand timer is a great visual option for younger kiddos that aren’t able to tell time yet. Try starting with 10 minutes and increase every few days until you find what works best for your family. 4.Make mealtime fun Use this time for connection, conversation and time together. Remove the pressure of wanting them to eat “X” amount of food and remind yourself about the division of responsibility. The child is in charge of how much and whether or not they eat.