122: Babys First Bites: Chatting Allergens and Parenting Laughs with Malina Malkani

Published: Dec. 4, 2023, midnight

Jamie and Emily start out the episode by sharing comical stories about Jamie's unexpected return to being a dog lover and her husband's proactive handling of Christmas cards. They emphasize the importance of letting go of tasks one doesn't care about.\xa0

In this lively episode, Jamie and Emily are joined by special guest Malina Malkani. Connected through Instagram several years ago, the trio seamlessly transitions from discussing parenting, to diet and nutrition. Malina, a single mom and pediatric dietitian, shares details about her upcoming book on food allergy prevention during infant feeding. The hosts express admiration for Malina's easy-going nature and delve into the main topic: starting solids and baby-led weaning.

Jamie and Emily love Malina's balanced approach, bridging the gap between traditional purees and baby-led weaning. The conversation highlights Malina's expertise on starting solids, emphasizing the crucial six-month window when babies show readiness signs. The hosts inquire about historical recommendations like rice cereal, leading to a discussion on iron-rich foods, with Malina providing an ideal first foods list, including avocado and sweet potato.

Humor infuses the dialogue as they address parental anxiety about introducing certain foods, especially meats, due to choking. Malina reassures, suggesting alternatives and emphasizing a gradual approach. Gagging, a common concern, is demystified by Malina, who explains its role in oral motor skill development and advises calmness during the process.

The conversation shifts to address another fear: allergies. They cover evolving guidelines and the importance of early, frequent exposure. Malina dispels myths and addresses fears of severe reactions, offering practical advice on introducing allergens gradually. Malina answers audience questions around dropping bottles, frequency of introducing solids, and the baby-led weaning vs. purees debate.\xa0

You can connect with Malina on Instagram at @healthy.mom.healthy.kids, and her Baby-Led Feeding course is available HERE; use the code \u201cNurture\u201d at checkout for discounts. Additionally, her Baby-Led Weaning book is available for purchase\xa0HERE.

In this live Ask A NAPS nurse, Jamie and Emily address a common parenting question about transitioning from three to two naps for babies, emphasizing the typical timeframe of six to nine months and signs such as nap resistance or disrupted sleep patterns. They provide insights on adjusting awake windows and suggest moving towards a more structured schedule.\xa0

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