Feeding with Confidence: How to Start Solids with Pediatrician Dr. Krupa Playforth – Podcast Ep 195

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Starting solids is one of those big baby milestones that can bring up a lot of emotions for parents: excitement, nerves, confusion, and maybe even a little dread. Should you try baby-led feeding? Stick with purees? What foods are safest to start with? And when do you even start?

In this episode of Chick Chat, I sat down with one of the most trusted voices in pediatric care, Dr. Krupa Playforth, to answer all of your biggest questions when it comes to starting solids with your little one. Known as “The Pediatrician Mom” online, Dr. Playforth brings a blend of professional expertise and personal, real-mom perspective to help parents feel less overwhelmed and more confident in their choices.

Whether you’re just starting to think about introducing solids because it’s around the corner or you’re in the messy middle of it all, this conversation will give you the answers you’ve been looking for and help you build a positive foundation for mealtimes ahead.

Meet Dr. Krupa Playforth

Dr. Krupa Playforth is a board-certified pediatrician and the founder of Warm Heart Pediatrics in Vienna, Virginia. She’s also one of the authors of Baby Leads the Way: An Evidence-Based Guide to Introducing Solid Foods, and the author of her latest book, Eyes, Knees, Boundaries, Please!: My First Book About Private Parts and Consent. Dr. Playforth is also the creator behind the popular Instagram account @thepediatricianmom, where she shares thoughtful, science-backed advice on everything from infant sleep to toddler tantrums and, of course, starting solids.

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Her mission? To help parents tune out the guilt, fear, and conflicting advice and focus instead on what’s developmentally sound and emotionally supportive for their children.

As both a pediatrician and a mother, Dr. Playforth knows that parenting is all about connection, curiosity, and building confidence. And that’s exactly what she brings to this episode.

What We Discussed

Here’s what Dr. Playforth and I covered in this episode:

• Why feeding feels so overwhelming for new parents and how to take off the pressure
• The signs that your baby is ready to start solids (hint: it’s not just about age!)
• How to choose between baby-led feeding and purees, or blend the two approaches (which she recommends!)
• What to know about choking vs. gagging and how to make meals safer
• The most common myths around baby-led feeding (and why they persist)
• Why messy meals are actually important and why we should stress less about it
• The role of early food experiences in shaping adventurous, confident eaters
• How to modify family meals so your baby can join in (without making a separate dish!)
• Easy, nutrient-dense first foods that support baby’s development
• Practical tips to build positive mealtime habits from day one
• How to shift your mindset from “doing it perfectly” to “doing it confidently”

Dr. Playforth also shared one piece of advice she hopes every parent carries with them as they begin the solids journey.

Final Thoughts

Starting solids doesn’t have to be so stressful. Mealtimes can be a joyful, confidence-building experience for both you and your baby, and Dr. Playforth offered some great advice on how to make them so.

If you’ve been feeling unsure about how to start solids or just need reassurance that you’re doing okay, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Playforth’s kind, clear, and realistic approach is exactly what so many parents need to hear. Cheers to feeding your baby with confidence!

Dr. Playforth’s Resources:

We hope you found this episode helpful. If you did and enjoyed it, please subscribe to our podcast, Chick Chat, and leave us an honest review. Links below!