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Feeding a grandbaby? A lot has changed since you had babies, and it’s not your fault.

In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels (pediatrician and registered dietitian) walks through an antiquated baby food book to show what’s changed in starting solids. She also explains what’s still important, and how grandparents can support the way their adult children want to feed their babies.

In this episode:

• Why feeding can be stressful for grandparents, and how to ease that tension
• What the 1975 book recommended: quarter-teaspoon portions, one new food at a time, and waiting 4–7 days
• Developmental readiness vs. the calendar: how to tell your grandbaby is ready for solids
• Why you don’t need a fancy high chair, and why a CPR refresher is a good idea
• Why there’s no evidence for waiting days between new foods
• Cooking once and feeding the baby what you eat, plus “food toys” for early texture
• Gagging vs. choking: gagging is noisy, choking is silent
• Why a baby’s facial reaction doesn’t mean they dislike a food (it can take 8–20 exposures)
• Sugar, salt, and sweeteners: maple syrup still counts as added sugar, and no honey before age 1
• Why rice cereal isn’t the go-to it used to be
• Why babies do better when they lead the meal

Resources:

• Solid Starts (how to prepare foods by age): https://solidstarts.com/
• Related episode: EP 42: A Grandparent’s Guide to Introducing Allergens
• Dr. Liz’s website: newstorynutrition.com
• Instagram: @dr.lizdanielsdo

This episode is for education and isn’t medical advice for your grandchild. Talk with their pediatrician about feeding questions.