Owner and Accredited Practising Dietitian Jeanette Newby created Starting Solids Australia after becoming frustrated with the misinformation and confusion that she saw other new mums subjected to on social media. Their mission is to help parents and families influence their children’s health right from the very beginning, making it simple to learn how to prepare quick, easy, nutritious meals and raise happy, healthy, intuitive eaters. They offer education on starting solids in ways to suit everyone, alongside their own range of kids’ dinnerware and feeding products. Here Jeanette talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind her business, how she balances work and family life, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
It was the misinformation and fear mongering online that surrounds this space! As a young mum of two, I was a member of many online Facebook groups and there was so much misinformation that circulated online creating unnecessary fear for parents about what they can and can’t feed their babies.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I started with a Facebook group called Starting Solids Australia! Within a month, I had thousands of members, and it very quickly became a full-blown business. We went from selling guidebooks to complete online courses, a free Starting Solids Australia app and offering private consultations. After being constantly asked for recommendations of feeding products, we designed and launched our own range.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Designing and launching my own product range! There was a gap in the market for really good quality, well-functioning kids’ suction dinnerware. Parents were sick of buying things that didn’t really suction and didn’t function well.
