Our Approach

Starting solids comes with a lot of information, opinions and trends. We’ve done the digging through current peer reviewed research and trusted guidance from New Zealand, the US and Canada so you don’t have to. Yum Baby is here to make things simpler, give you an evidence informed starting point, and help you find what works for your baby and your family.

This journey can be messy, chaotic, hard, hilarious and fun. Every baby is different, and a lot of it is simply trying, learning and trying again. These early months are a great time to explore different tastes and textures and safely introduce common allergens, but every meal does not need to be perfect. Sometimes we’re too busy or tired, but we do our best. Keep going, keep offering, and let your baby explore food one bite at a time.

Is Yum Baby evidence-based?

We describe Yum Baby as evidence-informed. We reviewed peer-reviewed studies and published reports relating to introducing solid foods and used recurring themes from that research to help shape the app.

We deliberately say evidence-informed rather than suggesting there is one scientifically proven way to feed every baby.

What kind of research did you look at?

We looked at research covering complementary feeding methods, feeding safety, texture progression, nutrient intake, early food experiences and the relationship between babies and their caregivers at mealtimes.

The research includes different types of studies, from randomised trials to observational studies and reviews. Like most areas of nutrition research, some questions have stronger evidence behind them than others.

Does Yum Baby follow baby-led weaning or traditional spoon-feeding?

Neither exclusively.

We looked at research across baby-led weaning, traditional spoon-feeding and mixed approaches. In real life, many families use a combination — and the research itself doesn't always define “baby-led” in exactly the same way.

Yum Baby is designed to support progress through starting solids without telling families there is only one “right” feeding philosophy.

What is BLISS, and why did you look at it?

BLISS stands for Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS. It is a modified, more structured version of baby-led weaning that was developed for research, with particular attention given to concerns such as choking, nutrient intake and growth.

Because BLISS provides researchers with a more clearly defined feeding approach to study, it appears frequently in research about baby-led feeding.

Does research show that one way of introducing solids is better?

Not conclusively.

The research we reviewed doesn't show one feeding method consistently outperforming another across every outcome. Studies use different definitions, different populations and different ways of measuring results, which makes sweeping conclusions difficult.

That’s one reason Yum Baby focuses less on following a particular “method” and more on helping families navigate the process.

Why do nutrients like iron and zinc come up in the research?

Nutrient adequacy is a recurring topic in complementary-feeding research, particularly when researchers study approaches where babies are primarily self-feeding.

Studies including BLISS have specifically investigated nutrients such as iron and zinc and how different feeding approaches might affect intake. The findings aren't a reason to label one feeding method as good or bad — but they do reinforce the importance of thinking about variety and nutrient-dense foods when introducing solids.

How did the research actually influence Yum Baby?

We used the research as a foundation for product decisions — not as a set of rigid rules.

It helped us think about the foods included in our library, how foods and textures progress, how allergens can be tracked, how different food groups are represented, and how parents can see their baby's progress over time.

Our goal was to take a complicated body of information and turn it into something genuinely useful at dinnertime.

Why should I trust Yum Baby?

Because we think parents deserve to know where information comes from.

We don't claim that there is one perfect way to introduce solids, and we don't present emerging research as settled science. Where evidence is mixed, we say so. Where individual circumstances matter, we encourage families to speak with their healthcare professional.

And rather than asking you to simply take our word for it, you can see the research that informed our thinking below.

Is Yum Baby medical advice?

No. Yum Baby is an educational and organisational tool, not a medical service.

Every baby develops differently, and allergies, medical conditions, growth, feeding difficulties and developmental concerns can require individual advice. If you have questions about your baby's health or feeding, speak with your doctor, dietitian or another qualified healthcare professional.

Can I see the research?

Absolutely. Transparency matters to us.

You can find the papers and reports included in our research review below. Our review isn't exhaustive — infant-feeding research continues to evolve — but these are the sources that helped inform the thinking behind Yum Baby.

Who reviewed Yum Baby’s feeding content?

Yum Baby’s stage structure and safety information were reviewed by a nutrition professional with a background in dietetics. Their input helped us sense-check how we organized feeding progression and presented safety information for parents.

Yum Baby is still an educational tool rather than a substitute for personalized advice from your child’s doctor or dietitian.

How do you decide what information to include?

We look across credible research and established feeding guidance rather than relying on a single study, trend or feeding philosophy.

Where there is broad agreement, we use that evidence to help shape the app. Where research is still developing or findings are mixed, we try to reflect that uncertainty rather than presenting it as settled fact.

Our Approach

Full Reference List