First Bites: A Gentle, Joyful Start to Solids for You and Your Baby

Starting solids is one of babyhood’s biggest milestones, and we know it can be exciting and overwhelming. That’s why we created First Bites, a cozy, supportive 4-week club designed just for babies (5+ months) and their caregivers.

Hosted at Thera+Kids and guided by Olivia Gross, MHSc., MEd, a Speech-Language Pathologist, and Allison Winter Paul, MHSc., Speech-Language Pathologist, Feeding Therapist, and fellow mom, this small-group experience blends expert feeding support, hands-on food prep, and the reassurance of real-time guidance. Whether you're leaning toward purées, baby-led weaning, or a mix of both, we’re here to help you feel confident, informed, and deeply connected to your baby’s feeding journey.

Each session is held in our inviting clinic space, where families can prepare food together, try feeding in a supported environment, and take home leftovers for continued practice. There’s no pressure to perform or meet milestones on a timeline. Just space to learn, grow, and enjoy feeding, with expert eyes and kind hearts right beside you.

Why does First Bites exist?

At Thera+Kids, we believe that feeding is not just about food. It’s about development, connection, and communication. Just like learning to walk or talk, eating is a skill that unfolds in stages. And just like other milestones, it’s easier and more enjoyable when you’re supported.

First Bites was created for families who want:

• A clearer understanding of when and how to start solids

• Guidance grounded in child development, not internet trends

• Real-time practice with textures, tools, and feeding strategies

• Support around picky eating, oral motor concerns, or sensory sensitivities

• A chance to connect with other caregivers in the same season of life

No pressure. No perfection. Just presence, practice, and support.

What Makes This Feeding Group Different?

Unlike a traditional workshop, First Bites is designed as a four-week experience where babies can learn to eat, and caregivers can learn to feed in a community.

Each week includes:

• Expert-led guidance based on feeding research and child development

• A themed focus that builds skills over time

• Hands-on food prep and in-session feeding practice

• A take-home container of food you prepped together

• A small, cozy group of fellow parents who get it

What Each Week Looks Like

Week 1: Ready, Set, Feed

In our first session, we slow everything down. Is your baby ready for solids? What are the actual signs to look for, and what can be skipped? We walk through seating, pacing, and feeding setups that promote safety and comfort. You’ll learn the differences between purées, baby-led weaning, and combination feeding, and get clarity on what feels right for your family.

One of the most important things we talk about in Week 1 is how to stay calm and respond confidently to things such as gagging or choking. You’ll leave knowing how to recognize what’s typical and when to intervene.

We prep thin purées and safe whole foods together, then offer them to babies in session. Whether your baby gobbles, plays, or just observes, it’s all part of the process.

Week 2: The Work Behind the Bite

Feeding is not just about taste or texture. It’s also physical work. This week, we dig into how your baby’s mouth, jaw, and tongue are developing to support chewing, swallowing, and coordination.

You’ll learn how to build oral motor skills through spoons, open cups, and teethers. We also talk about which textures encourage development and how to support your baby through early efforts to bite, mash, or hold food.

Together, we prepare textured purées and soft, meltable solids. Babies explore new sensations in session, and you leave with practice feeding and practical tools you can use at home.

Week 3: Feeding with Trust

By now, most babies are exploring a wider range of foods, and you may start noticing preferences, refusals, or food-tossing. This is all normal. Week 3 is about learning how to feed responsively.

We focus on how to offer food without pressure, support curiosity, and stay connected even when feeding feels messy or unpredictable. Caregivers often share stories here, the foods that got thrown, the reactions that surprised them. These conversations help you feel less alone and more empowered to trust your baby’s pace.

We offer minced and lumpy foods this week, plus soft handheld items that promote self-feeding skills.

Week 4: Beyond the High Chair

In our final week, we look ahead. What happens when feeding moves into the real world? How do you support your baby through daycare transitions, mealtimes at restaurants, or feeding while travelling?

We talk about expanding variety, introducing bold flavours, and creating positive food experiences that lay the foundation for long-term flexibility and healthy eating habits.

Together, we prepare mixed textures and flavourful options. Babies eat, play, and explore one last time as a group, and we celebrate how far everyone has come.

What Families Take Away?

First Bites is about more than learning to feed. It’s about:

• Feeling informed, not overwhelmed

• Connecting with others in the same season

• Letting feeding be joyful and playful

• Gaining confidence in how you support your baby’s development

We don’t expect perfection. We celebrate progress, one bite, one spill, one squishy handful at a time.

Is First Bites Right for You?

If your baby is around 5–7 months and you're considering starting solids soon, this program will help you do it in a way that feels grounded, safe, and supported. We also welcome babies who have already started solids but may benefit from structured support, especially around textures, tools, or feeding cues.

Every baby is different. Every caregiver is, too. What unites us is the desire to make feeding a meaningful part of the parent-child relationship, not a stressful one.

Join the Club

Spots for First Bites are limited to keep the group small, connected, and personalized. We’ll take care of the prep, the planning, and the clean-up; you just bring your baby, your questions, and your open heart.

Ready to take the first bite?

Click here to register or reach out with any questions. We’d love to welcome you in.