Aired November 05, 2025

In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Jill Rabin, MA, CCC-SLP/L, IBCLC, speech-language pathologist, lactation consultant, and co-author of Your Baby Can Self-Feed, Too. Known for her pioneering work in Adapted Baby-Led Weaning (ABLW), Jill specializes in responsive feeding for infants with Down syndrome, prematurity, oral motor challenges, feeding aversion, and medical complexity.

Together, they explore how ABLW bridges the gap between traditional baby-led weaning and therapeutic feeding support—giving all babies, including those with motor delays or complex medical needs, a safe and developmentally aligned path to solids. Jill breaks down the misconceptions about gagging vs. choking, readiness cues beyond age, and why starting solids is about skill first, nutrition second. She also shares practical guidance for IBCLCs supporting families in the transition to solids while staying within scope—and how to identify when a referral to a feeding specialist is needed.

They discuss:

• What Adapted Baby-Led Weaning is and how it differs from traditional baby-led weaning
• Understanding gagging, choking risk, and oral motor development
• How chewing skills develop and why strip-shaped foods build safe feeding foundations
• Signs of developmental readiness for solids in breastfed babies
• Supporting preterm and medically complex infants during feeding transitions
• How to introduce allergenic foods safely
• Responsive feeding and avoiding pressure-based feeding practices
• When IBCLCs should refer to SLPs or feeding therapists
• Cultural and socioeconomic accessibility of responsive feeding approaches
• How ABLW promotes feeding confidence and reduces aversion.

Some of Jill‘s recommendations in today’s episode: check out the Baby Led Wean Team podcast, Solid Starts and Jill‘s monthly Transition to Solids course