Introducing solid foods is a transformative milestone in an infant’s growth. This week on Raising Parents: The Parenting Science Insights Podcast, host Marie Stella interviews nutrition education consultant Rachel Schichtl for advice on incorporating solid foods into an infant’s diet, and the nutritional benefits it offers. A registered dietitian and nutritionist, Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND possesses a PhD in family and consumer sciences education, and has been inducted as a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Currently, Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND is a nutrition education consultant, working with several universities providing course creation, assessment writing, and adjunct teaching, including as a subject matter expert in infant and childhood nutrition. So far, Rachel’s research has primarily focused on community-focused issues such as access to healthy foods, food insecurity, and nutrition education. In this episode, Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND sheds light on the importance of nutrition and solid foods in an infant’s health and development, revealing that solid foods offer not only nutritional benefits, but also allow infants to develop social, motor, and exploratory skills. In addition, Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND elaborates on the biggest misconceptions about solid foods in an infant’s diet, and shares advice for parents faced with picky eating and allergy challenges. Together, Marie and Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND delve into the most essential food groups for an infant’s diet, and discuss practical daily habits for incorporating solid foods. So, whether you’re a new parent or want to refresh your knowledge, tune in to this episode for research-backed advice and practical tips to guide your baby’s introduction to solid foods! Follow Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND's work: https://uca.edu/nfs/facultystaff/rac Connect with Rachel Schichtl Ph.D., RD, CFCS, FAND via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-schichtl-phd-rd-cfcs-fand-4817b372/ Produced by the Parenting Science Labs, a division of LMSL, the Life Management Science Labs. Explore LMSL https://lifemanagementsciencelabs.com/  and visit http://pa.lmsl.net/  for further information about Parenting Science Labs. Follow us on social media to stay updated:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingsciencelabs Facebook: http://facebook.com/parenting.science.labs.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting.science.labs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaScienceLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/parenting-science-labs/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@parenting.science.labs  You can also subscribe and listen to the show on your preferred podcasting platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-parents-the-parenting-science-insights-podcast/id1648316813 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6m3aSJRG63DGU224r5UHdX Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6012aa2c-375d-4ca9-b6b7-985ca461b214/raising-parents-the-parenting-science-insights-podcast iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/338-raising-parents-the-parent-102799992/ Podbean: https://parentingscienceinsights.podbean.com/ PlayerFM: https://player.fm/series/3402014 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/raising-parents-the-parenting-4912287