Why Starting Solids Matters

Pinter & Martin Why It Matters #8

by Amy Brown

How and when babies eat their first solid foods can be an exciting stage for new parents, but it can also bring confusion and anxiety due to conflicting advice and opinions. When should babies have their first sold foods? What should it be? How much? Is milk still important? Does any of this really matter?

Why Starting Solids Matters aims to help readers find answers to these questions by exploring the science behind the headlines. It provides a gentle introduction to the importance of the first year and beyond for the development of long term healthy eating habits and weight with much of the information just as relevant for thinking about the diet of older children and even the rest of the family too.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2016

About the author

Professor Amy Brown is based in the Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences at Swansea University in the UK where she is Director of 'LIFT' - the centre for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translation. With a background in psychology, she first became interested in the many barriers women face when breastfeeding after having her first baby. Three babies and a PhD later she has spent the last fifteen years exploring psychological, cultural and societal barriers to breastfeeding, with an emphasis on understanding how we can shift our perception of breastfeeding from an individual mothering issue, to a wider public health problem.

Professor Brown has published over 100 papers exploring the barriers women face in feeding their baby during the first year. In 2016 she published her first book Breastfeeding Uncovered, followed by Why Starting Solids Matters (2017), The Positive Breastfeeding Book (2018), Informed is Best (2019) and Why Breastfeeding Grief and Trauma Matter (2019).

She is a regular blogger, aiming to change the way we think about breastfeeding, mothering and caring for our babies.

Reviews

[Joanna Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

And just like that, another chapter draws to a close in my Pinter and Martin saga. 😂

Loads of great information about introducing solid foods with a balanced discussion between baby led weaning and traditional weaning. Lots of evidence based info about the benefits of BLW which was nice to see. Highly recommend this for anyone planning on starting solids with their baby soon. My son is a toddler now and has been having solids for a good long while but I would definitely revisit this book for future children. ☺️

[Arleta Blackley-Wiertelak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any parent.
Gives great perspective on all the foods out there, the different approaches, the manipulatuon of baby food manufactures.
And most of all I highly recommend to read at least the chapter on responsive eating.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that helps you to gain a holistic understanding of introducing solids and breastfeeding. Explores the politics of yet something else we need learn and make decisions about in the first year of parenting.

[Desislava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the evidence based approach of this book! I recommend it to anyone having doubts about when to start solid foods or when to stop breastfeeding.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and evidence-based. The only book you’ll need on this topic.

[Miss L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

Very informative, reassuring read that helps you approach weaning in a relaxed manner that’s best for your baby. Highly recommend

[Katherine Buckingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history.

[Caley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and as a psychologist myself, I found this book easy to read, clearly written, and would recommend to those starting baby-led weaning.

[Andreanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and concise explanation.