Safe Start To Solids
Expert Guidance to Confidently Start Solids
Starting solids should be an exciting milestone, not a source of anxiety. Yet many parents find themselves overwhelmed by conflicting advice, worried about choking, and second-guessing every food choice.
As a pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of three, I've seen how the right guidance can transform this experience from stressful to enjoyable. You don't need perfect - you need practical, evidence-based support tailored to your baby and your family.
What you’ll gain
Clear feeding plan designed specifically for your baby's needs and your family's lifestyle
Choking prevention knowledge and confidence in what's normal versus concerning
Allergen introduction guidance
Evidence-based guidance that cuts through the noise of conflicting advice
Long-term wellness foundation understanding how early choices support lifelong health
And the support to confidently know you were the expert all along at feeding your baby!
So you can go….
From second-guessing every choice → trusting your instincts
From choking anxiety → prepared and confident
From overwhelming advice → clear, personalized plan
From stressful mealtimes → enjoyable food exploration
What we’ll cover:
Complete Feeding Foundation - the “what, when, how” roadmap
Evidence-based food introduction timeline
A feeding approach that feels good for you and YOUR family… not what the internet tells you to do
Meal timing that works with your baby's sleep and feeding schedule
Safe food preparation methods that fit into busy family life
Balancing breast milk or formula with solid foods
Creating realistic routines that support your family's lifestyle
Family-Centered Approach
Adapting family meals for baby-led weaning
Preparing one meal that works for the whole family
Building variety using accessible, whole foods
Sustainable strategies that prevent caregiver burnout
Gut Health & Development
How early food choices establish lifelong digestive and immune health
Supporting your baby's developing microbiome through nutrition
Understanding the connection between gut health and overall development
Creating metabolic foundations during this critical window
Safety & Confidence Building
Recognizing normal eating development and when to be concerned
Understanding the difference between gagging and choking
Essential safety skills and emergency response
Creating a safe eating environment without anxiety
Allergen Introduction Strategy
Evidence-based timeline for introducing common allergens
Practical methods using everyday foods
Recognizing normal reactions versus concerning symptoms
Building confidence around food allergies
Real-Life Implementation
Integrating feeding into your daily routine
Managing multiple children's needs
Getting caregivers aligned on your approach
Troubleshooting common challenges
Choose your learning
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Choose your learning ✺
Single Session
Perfect for families who want clarity and a solid plan before diving in, or who have specific questions that need expert answers
Includes:
One 60 minute session
Follow-up resources
One week of email support for those inevitable "wait, what about..." questions
$250 investment
Workshop
Perfect for parent groups, mom groups, or small family groups.
1.5 hours of comprehensive baby-led weaning education and practice in your home or location of choice. Hands-on learning and safety techniques, assessment of your setup, Infant CPR and choking response training with real practice, and Q&A.
Take home resources provider for deeper learning.
Self-Paced Course
Perfect for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and babysitters. Who prefer to learn in a quiet, self-paced setting.
Online modules you can listen to podcast-style, watch or read through at your own pace. Lifetime access to the course and learning assets so you can reference anytime.
Why Learn with us
Starting solids happens during the most critical window for your child's development. The eating habits, gut health foundations, and safety skills you build now literally shape their health for decades.
But, this is just as much about YOU feeling confident as a parent. When you trust yourself with something as fundamental as feeding, that confidence spills over into everything else.
This isn't about surviving the next few months. It's about building the foundation for years of confident parenting decisions
Plus, let's be real — the peace of mind alone is worth it. No more social media or Google spirals about whether that gagging sound was normal, or if you should be feeding this or that… you deserve this confidence!
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Perfect! We can build on what's working and address any concerns or confusion you're having. Most families I work with are somewhere in the middle, not starting from scratch.
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Absolutely, and I get it completely. Most choking fears come from not understanding what's normal versus concerning. Once you see what gagging actually looks like (and learn it's protective, not dangerous), everything changes. PLUS you’ll learn how to respond in the instance choking does occur, not to scare you but to empower you! The more prepared, the less worried!
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Family feeding politics are real! Part of what we'll work on is getting everyone educated and on the same page and making sure everyone responsible for caring for your little one is heard. Amazing how much easier it gets when everyone understands the actual safety guidelines.
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Some babies take their time, and that's completely normal. We'll look at readiness signs, explore different approaches, and create a plan that meets your baby exactly where they are.
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As of now, all consultations are virtual and include the educational basics of CPR and choking response. If you want to become formally certified, I offer certification through the American Red Cross for local St. Louis residents in my in-person classes. You’ll get the education and training in our virtual sessions, and can then attend one of my local in-person trainings for the skills check to receive official certification.
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Allergen introduction can feel intimidating. I’ll guide you through the safest ways to introduce common allergens, what signs to watch for, and how to respond if a reaction occurs. You’ll have a plan for yourself and your caregivers so you’re never caught off guard.
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BSP Safe Start is designed for typically developing babies and toddlers. If your child has a diagnosed feeding disorder or medical condition affecting feeding, I recommend continuing to work with your health care provider for overseeing care and guidance.
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When should I start this?
Most babies are developmentally ready to begin solids around 6 months, but every baby is different. Safe Start can be started around 4-6 months old so you feel prepared—or once you’ve already begun and want extra guidance and reassurance. -
You can either book a private virtual appointment or inquire about pricing and availability for a group workshop/class. Additionally, if you are a local business and would like to bring this workshop to your space for your clients or staff as a continuing education class, please contact us here
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
Ready to Make Mealtimes Actually Enjoyable?
Starting solids doesn't have to be scary, stressful, or something you just survive.
You deserve to enjoy watching your baby discover food. You deserve to feel confident in your choices. You deserve to trust yourself as the expert on your own child.
Let's make that happen.
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This service was developed strictly for informational purposes. You should always consult with your pediatrician or medical provider for medical conditions or specific feeding or health concerns. By purchasing and booking a consultation package, you are aware that this is not considered medical care or pediatric nurse practitioner care, diagnosis, evaluation or treatment. Bite Sized Wellness is owned and operated by a pediatric nurse practitioner, but services provided are education and coaching support for parents. Bite Sized Wellness aims to empower you with safe, evidence-based feeding practices, first aid skills, and real-life strategies. Purchasing a consultation package does not create a professional/provider-patient relationship between you and Cierra Crowley, nor any other contributor to Bite Sized Wellness. By purchasing a consultation package, you agree and understand that information in your consultation(s) in no way diagnosis or treats any medical condition. Information provided to you should not be treated as medical advice, either for you, your child, or anyone in your family. You must not rely on information provided in your consultation as an alternative to advice from your medical provider or health professional. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided during this consultation(s). All information provided by Bite Sized Wellness, Cierra Crowley, and any contributors to Bite Sized Wellness is for for education only. Bite Sized Wellness and Cierra Crowley make no guarantees regarding results that you will see from using information provided to you in your consultation(s). We disclaim, or assume no liability for incidental or consequential damages and assume no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the use of the information provided during your consultation(s).