Starting solid foods with your baby is such a milestone, as it signals the beginning of their transition from either breast or formula milk to solid foods. This transition can go for months, or for years, until the child is only eating solid foods. Until then, it's like a dance, where the milk and the food slowly swap at being the lead dancer.

Introducing your baby to solid foods is such a significant milestone.

And one to celebrate! For your baby, starting solid foods acknowledges their body and digestive systems development and maturity as they shift from a milk-based diet to one that incorporates solid foods. And for you, as their incredible parent, it’s time to reflect on the past six (or so) months where you’ve successfully nourished, grown, and fed your baby with breast or formula milk. A huge achievement for you both.

One of the main drivers behind starting Nourish & Bloom came from my own recent experience as a parent. When I reached the time of introducing my son to solid foods, I found there wasn't a huge amount of additional support available, and it became something I wanted to change for other parents.

There was the general book of information provided by our Plunket nurse, but what about information covering the benefits of waiting for your baby’s digestive system to be ready for solid foods?

Or the difference between baby-led weaning and parent-led weaning?

Or the most nutritious foods to include regularly?

Or the extra nutritional requirements of our babies as they reach six months old?

Or the role of digestive enzymes?

Or how to properly prepare grains and beans?

The list just went on.

As you can imagine, I had all the questions. So, naturally, I went and found all the answers. And since then, I haven’t stopped researching.

My approach to children’s nutrition is based on a real, whole foods approach. That is, foods that have minimal processing and are just as nature intended them to be. And what we know about mother nature is that she has intention behind everything, so if a food contains a nutrient, it’s there for a reason. I also believe that our babies are incredibly intuitive when it comes to eating, they know what their bodies need.

In consultations with parents, I cover all you need to know about starting solid foods with your baby. What foods to include, when to start, which style of feeding suits your child, the key signs of developmental readiness, top allergen foods and how to introduce these - we cover it all.

We are all individual and so too is our nutrition. In my consultations, I work one-on-one with families to support them to feel confident in nourishing their children with nutrient-dense foods.