Did you ever think weaning your baby would be one of the simpler parts of parenting? When I was pregnant, I certainly did. I figured that once I got the hang of breastfeeding and bottle feeding, everything else would naturally fall into place. But fast forward to the six-month mark, and there I was, alongside millions of other parents, navigating the daily ritual of scraping food off the floor! Feeding a baby turned out to be a whole new challenge.
Thankfully, a friend recommended Sunday Times best-selling author and nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed’s book, How to Wean Your Baby, which completely changed my perspective on weaning. It didn’t make feeding my son magically easier, but it did give me practical knowledge, a much-needed boost of confidence, and plenty of meal ideas to guide me through each stage of his feeding journey.
So, when Charlotte shared that she was launching her new podcast, How to Feed, which airs twice a week, with the first episode launching on Monday, November 4! I knew I’d be tuning in—and I think you’ll be just as excited as I am! This new series promises even more feeding advice, practical tips, and, best of all, a lineup of celebrity guests!
Here’s everything you need to know about How to Feed, including what to look forward to. And of course, we took the opportunity to ask Charlotte about her own weaning experience with her kids and her top weaning product recommendations and go-to recipes.
Your podcast, How to Feed – what inspired you to create it?
“I absolutely love listening to podcasts—they honestly have been somewhat of a lifeline for me during my parenting journey. They’re a time to step out and away from day-to-day life and listen to someone else that isn’t my colleagues or my kids whilst at the same time helping me to learn, grow, or even just give myself a little TLC. I use podcasts a lot, and I felt like there really is a bit of a gap in content around feeding babies and toddlers, which doesn’t make sense, because it’s an easy win to offer parents advice and reassurance on the go!”
What can parents expect from How to Feed with Charlotte Stirling-Reed?
With How to Feed podcast series, Charlotte will bring wealth of weaning wisdom right into our ears, offering us guidance on everything from introducing solids to managing food battles and feeding the entire family. She excitedly shares what the podcast will cover:
A deep dive into feeding kids: How to Feed will cover everything from weaning babies to managing picky eatersand feeding the whole family.
Celebrity guest episodes: Each week, Charlotte will chat with a surprise celebrity guest about their own feeding experiences. They share the highs and lows of mealtime and their best strategies for making things smoother—because even celebrities face food refusal and mealtime chaos!
Expert advice from Charlotte: In her solo episodes, Charlotte takes centre stage as she answers listener questions and shares her professional insights on child nutrition.
"I’ve spent nearly a decade working with parents, answering their questions about feeding their children and helping them navigate the challenges of getting kids to eat well," says Charlotte.
"This podcast is an extension of that work, but with a more personal touch. It’s like having a conversation with a friend who’s been through it all and can help guide you through the ups and downs."
Your experience with weaning
Charlotte has extensive knowledge of weaning, but her personal experience with her two children taught her a lot about the process.
“Oh, absolutely! I learnt so much from weaning my two children that I changed a lot of the advice I gave out as a consequence. Weaning made me more empathetic, understanding, and less ‘black and white’ when it came to the official guidelines on ‘how to’ do it. I also had the added challenge that my second child, Ada, was a polar opposite experience to weaning my first child, Raffy.
She didn’t follow any of the rules and was a lot more picky about what she would and wouldn’t eat. She also has a bit of a grazing style appetite. This helped me, again in learning that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to feeding kids, and sometimes you need to make adaptations that DON’T follow the rules. My two weaning experiences taught me a lot.”
Tips for screen time during mealtimes
Alot of us parents can understand the struggle of screen time during mealtimes, myself included and Charlotte understands that screen time during meals can be tempting, but says it can hinder kids' desire to participate in family meals.
“I know that screens can sometimes seem like an easy win, but long term they can really be unhelpful for helping children to WANT to be a part of meals."
Her tip is to keep the mealtimes light and enjoyable as much as you can, avoiding pressures to get kids to ‘eat up.’
"Try to eat together and avoid talking about the food. Instead, focus on spending time together during mealtimes, quality time, engaging with your little ones, and eating together socially. This is ultimately what little ones want from us, and it might take a bit of time to get it right, but it’ll make a huge difference to those mealtime battles.”
Best advice on feeding little ones
“One of the best pieces of advice I offer around feeding kids is this: They know their appetite. We don’t! It’s so easy to fall into a trap of trying to get our kids to eat up or have ‘one more spoonful,’ but realistically, we can’t physically feel what they feel in their bodies. It’s so important we allow them to listen to their internal cues and not override them from a young age. One thing I want parents to know when it comes to weaning is: there will be ups and downs in appetite ALL THE TIME. This is normal.”
Top weaning products
“I love a coverall bib—Little Chomps have lasted the test of time and also I love the Baby Boosa ones, which are stunning. I also really like the Doddle plates and bowls—they are adaptable, make eating easy, and can go in the dishwasher—win-win. They are fab! Nana’s Mannas spoonsare also a favourite of mine and I love Cognikids cups too!”
Quick and nutritious snacks
We love a good snack recommendation, and Charlotte isn't short of one.
“Mini muffins, especially ones with veggies in. I love doing these so much. Also, pancakes and fritters are always a winner, and you can make them in bulk so they last a while as good snacks. I often use recipes like my Chocolate Raisin Bread, my oatcakes, and my homemade crackers as they make a bunch and last a while, especially if you create a freezer stash!”
Meal recommendations for busy days
For busy days, Charlotte suggests having easy-to-eat snacks on hand for the family.
“Have a little pack of easy-to-eat things so you can munch on things fairly quickly when you do stop. E.g., sandwiches cut up into little 1-inch squares, veggies chopped into sticks or rounds, mini muffins that are easy to eat and nice and filling. Don’t forget to pack things for the cleanup—a spare bag for rubbish and crumbs, a wet cloth or wet wipes, and mini cutlery if needed.”
There you have it. More weaning wisdom coming your way at The How to Feed podcast, sponsored by Little Dish (makers of delicious and stress-free kids’ meals), which airs twice a week, with the first episode launching on Monday, November 4! Little Dish’s support has helped bring this resource to families across the UK, making mealtimes easier and more enjoyable. Subscribe to How to Feed with Charlotte Stirling-Reed wherever you get your podcasts.
About the author
Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is mum to a one-year-old bambino and lives between Italy and the UK.