Ask Dr. Mona

Starting solids can feel like a huge milestone, and with so many opinions out there, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing it the “right” way. But here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you start with purees, baby-led weaning (BLW), or a mix of both, what matters most is that your baby is ready, the foods are safe, and you feel supported.

Both approaches support development, and many families find themselves using a bit of each. It’s not about choosing a side, it’s about meeting your baby where they are. And it’s not just about what you offer, it’s about how your baby experiences food.

Feeding isn’t just about technique, it’s about the real-life, day-to-day process of learning, mess, and figuring out what works for your baby. A few things that helped me:

• Follow your baby’s cues. My son took to self-feeding like a pro at 6 months.  My daughter gagged, even vomited, and needed more time. They’re both amazing eaters.

• Let them be part of family meals. Babies learn by watching. Let them see you eat, talk about your food, and explore the routine with you.

• Expect the mess. Food on the floor, sweet potato on the wall…it’s all part of how they learn.

• Gagging is common. It’s a protective reflex that helps them build oral-motor skills. Choking is rare when solids are introduced safely.

• Try to avoid stressing about how much they’re eating. Milk or formula is still their main source of nutrition for the first year. Food is about practice, exposure, and building positive associations.

If you're looking for step-by-step guidance, real-life examples, and tips on allergens, textures, and feeding routines, check out the PedsDocTalk Intro to Solids Workshop. You can also browse the YouTube Feeding Playlist for practical videos to help you feel more confident, whether you're doing purees, BLW, or a bit of both.

This is such an important question, especially when you’re juggling outdoor fun with a toddler and a baby in the summer heat. Drinking water is a great start, but little ones can still overheat quickly, and they don’t always show it in obvious ways.

Heat exhaustion can happen when a child gets too warm without enough cooling down or hydration. Signs to look for include clammy skin, headache, dizziness, vomiting, or just seeming “off.” For babies or toddlers who aren’t verbal yet, you might notice fussiness, a rapid heart rate, vomiting, or changes in alertness, like being unusually quiet.

If you’re seeing those signs, move your child to a cooler space (shaded or air-conditioned), offer water, breastmilk, or formula depending on age, and place cool, damp towels on their neck or forehead. Keep a close eye on them. If they stop drinking, seem less alert, or symptoms don’t improve, it’s time to seek medical help.

In more serious cases, heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke, which is an emergency. Warning signs include a body temperature over 105°F, hot or dry skin, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If you see any of these, call 911 and start cooling them down while you wait for help.

To help prevent overheating, avoid peak heat hours and stick to shaded areas when possible. Offer water regularly, dress kids in lightweight clothes, and build in breaks to cool down. For babies under 6 months, breastmilk or formula is all they need. And two important reminders: never leave a child in a parked car, even briefly, and avoid covering strollers with blankets, which can trap heat.

For more detailed guidance on signs to watch for and how to respond, check out this PedsDocTalk blog on heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke and keeping kids safe in the heat.

Ask Dr. Mona

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Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!