Parent & Baby Starting Solids Workshop 4-Week In-Person Series Dates: Thursdays, March 19 – April 9Time: 10:30–11:30 AM Description Starting solids can feel exciting, overwhelming, and confusing—all at once. This 4-week Parent & Baby Starting Solids Workshop is designed to support pregnant parents, new parents, and caregivers of babies under 1 year old, especially those preparing to begin solids (though families who have already started are very welcome). Led by an Occupational Therapist and mother of two, this series offers grounded, evidence-informed guidance to help you approach feeding with confidence, flexibility, and trust in your child. Rather than promoting a one-size-fits-all method, we’ll explore multiple approaches to starting solids and how to thoughtfully individualize them for your unique baby and family—while honoring that your approach can evolve over time. This workshop goes beyond what to feed and focuses on how to feed—supporting your baby in developing a healthy, resilient relationship with food while also giving you space to reflect on your own food values and experiences. Each session includes education, open discussion, and time to ask your personal questions in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Weekly Flow Week 1: Foundations of Starting Solids• When to begin• Different approaches to starting solids• Benefits and challenges of each approach Week 2: Responsive Feeding & Readiness• Developmental readiness signs• Responsive feeding principles• Best practices for introducing allergens Week 3: Language & Relationship with Food• The role of language at mealtimes• Exploring your own relationship with food• How caregiver beliefs shape feeding dynamics Week 4: Special Topics & Broader Perspectives• The gut microbiome• Ancestral eating• Ayurvedic perspectives on starting solids What’s Included • Thoughtful recommendations for feeding equipment (high chairs, utensils, cups, plates)• Trusted online resources and accounts for continued learning• Space for connection, discussion, and personalized support About the Facilitator Tara Kaine, MS, OTR/L, CEIS is an Occupational Therapist and mother of two young children who are very different eaters. Alongside her professional training in child development and pediatric feeding, her lived experience as a parent has deepened her understanding in ways no course ever could. Tara’s goal is not to tell you what to do—but to empower you with knowledge so you can make informed, confident decisions for your own child and family.
