Discerning Parenting - 101 - Weaning and Starting Solids, Pressure-Free: Tips from a Pediatrician and Gut Health Specialist - with Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari

101 - Weaning and Starting Solids, Pressure-Free: Tips from a Pediatrician and Gut Health Specialist - with Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari

04/29/25 • 24 min

Are you starting solids with your baby and feeling overwhelmed by all the advice? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari, a pediatric gastroenterologist (gut health and nutrition specialist) and mom of four answers common questions and shares practical advice for parents navigating this exciting milestone.

💬 Topics We Covered:

Going beyond the traditional vs baby led weaning debate... and the #1 thing we should be focusing on instead
What to do when your baby refuses food
Letting babies explore textures and tastes
How to balance breastfeeding/formula with solid foods
Changes in baby poop when you start solids
Spotting early signs of constipation
Taking the pressure off starting solids - for both parents and babies!

📌 Key Takeaway:

Starting solids doesn’t have to be stressful. Enjoy the journey, and remember—it’s a milestone for your baby and for you.

📎 Resources Mentioned:

✅ Our guide to complementary feeding with the short course Feeding Baby Right
✅ FREE parenting toolkit: https://discerningparenting.com/toolkit/

📎 Research Mentioned:

Systematic review on baby-led vs traditional complementary feeding

D'Auria, E., Bergamini, M., Staiano, A., Banderali, G., Pendezza, E., Penagini, F., Zuccotti, G. V., Peroni, D. G., & Italian Society of Pediatrics (2018). Baby-led weaning: what a systematic review of the literature adds on. Italian journal of pediatrics, 44(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-018-0487-8

📌 Points we want to highlight:

1. Modified baby led weaning (taking care to remove choking hazards) appears to be safe. This is good news for parents who want to follow BLW.

2. There's no evidence that babies fed the traditional way grow up to become picky eaters or get stuck eating purees. This is great news for moms who keep trying baby led weaning but it's just not working for them. If that's you, stop feeling like you've failed! Go ahead and feed using the method that is easier for you. You have enough to worry about without adding on this unnecessary pressure.

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The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

💬 Topics We Covered:

Going beyond the traditional vs baby led weaning debate... and the #1 thing we should be focusing on instead
What to do when your baby refuses food
Letting babies explore textures and tastes
How to balance breastfeeding/formula with solid foods
Changes in baby poop when you start solids
Spotting early signs of constipation
Taking the pressure off starting solids - for both parents and babies!

📌 Key Takeaway:

Starting solids doesn’t have to be stressful. Enjoy the journey, and remember—it’s a milestone for your baby and for you.

📎 Resources Mentioned:

✅ Our guide to complementary feeding with the short course Feeding Baby Right
✅ FREE parenting toolkit: https://discerningparenting.com/toolkit/

📎 Research Mentioned:

Systematic review on baby-led vs traditional complementary feeding

📌 Points we want to highlight:

1. Modified baby led weaning (taking care to remove choking hazards) appears to be safe. This is good news for parents who want to follow BLW.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!

Previous Episode

100 - Parenting Boundaries That Work (Even When Others Judge You) - with Dr. Pauline Camposano-Marquez

Are you second-guessing your parenting style—wondering if you're being too strict or too lenient? Does it feel like whatever you do, there's bound to be someone telling you you're doing it wrong? You're not alone.

In this episode of the Discerning Parenting Podcast, we're diving deep into that fine line we're often trying to navigate as parents - discerning where to set boundaries that actually work.

✅ You'll discover:

Why kids need boundaries to feel safe and secure
The difference between being firm and being harsh
3 things to consider when deciding what limits to set

👩‍⚕️ We've shared our own experiences and personal insights as well.

🛠️ Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Download your free copy of the Discerning Parenting Toolkit
The Discerning Parent's Guide to Toddler Behavior: From Power Struggles to Connection

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!

Next Episode

102 - Picky Eating or Normal Toddler Food Refusal? What Parents Can Do - with Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari

👩‍⚕️ Guest:
Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari, pediatrician and gut health specialist, and mom of four!

🍼 Description:
Is your child refusing food, only eating white-colored meals, or taking forever to finish a plate? You're not alone! In this practical and judgment-free episode, pediatrician and mom Dr. Paula explains the different types of picky eaters—and what parents can do about it.

🗣️ Questions We Asked Dr. Paula:

What's the difference between normal toddler food preferences and true picky eating?
What are the different kinds of picky eaters you’ve seen?
Is threatening or bribing kids to eat effective?
What happens during a consultation with a feeding specialist or pediatrician?
Why is advice like “just starve them, they’ll eat” potentially harmful?
What’s food chaining—and how can parents try it at home?
What are better alternatives to hiding vegetables or bribing kids with candy?
Is snacking okay?

💡 Key Takeaways:

There are different types of picky eaters, so there's no one-size-fits-all.
Food refusal may signal deeper issues, like sensory sensitivity or underlying medical/developmental concerns.
Strategies such as food chaining can help kids accept new foods by gradually transitioning from familiar ones.
Avoid bribing or threatening—build positive mealtime experiences instead.
Watch out for red flags like weight loss, very limited food variety, or mealtime stress affecting family life.

📚 More Resources:

https://discerningparenting.com/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-a-picky-eater/

https://discerningparenting.com/encouragement-for-moms-of-picky-eaters/

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