Food Before 1 Course: What Parents Need to Know
By Lovevery | Published: 2026-10-29
Category: Buying Guides
Decide if the Lovevery Food Before 1 course or parent guide is right for your baby's feeding journey. Compare options and get practical advice.
Quick answer
For most parents starting solids, the Food Before 1 Parent Course offers comprehensive video guidance, while the standalone Parent Guide is a budget-friendly quick reference. Your choice depends on whether you prefer in-depth learning or a handy countertop cheat sheet.
Course vs. Guide: What's the difference?
The Food Before 1 Parent Course ($36.50) is a full online program taught by pediatric occupational therapist Rachel Coley. It covers feeding techniques, the hierarchy of solids, allergen introduction schedules, and mealtime strategies. The Parent Guide ($6.90) is a printed booklet you can keep on your counter for quick access to schedules, nutrient lists, and meal ideas.
If you learn best by watching and want to understand the "why" behind each feeding step, the course delivers that depth. If you already have a solid grasp of baby-led weaning or purees and just need a reference for timing and nutrients, the guide may be enough.
Who benefits most from each option?
First-time parents often appreciate the course's structured lessons and expert explanations. Parents with multiple children might prefer the guide's concise format for quick reminders between meals.
Both products are designed for babies under 12 months. Neither covers toddler feeding or picky eating beyond the first year.
How to choose between the course and the guide
- Choose the course if...: You want step-by-step video lessons on feeding techniques, allergen introduction, and texture progression. The course explains the reasoning behind each stage. You'll finish with a deeper understanding of infant feeding beyond just schedules.
- Choose the guide if...: You already know the basics of starting solids and just need a quick reference for nutrient needs, meal ideas, and allergen timing. The guide is laminated and counter-friendly. It's a low-cost supplement to your existing knowledge.
- Consider both if...: You want the course's full education plus a physical reference you can keep in the kitchen. The guide reinforces what you learn in the course. This combo gives you both depth and convenience.
Product facts
- The Food Before 1 Course Pack Item: Parent Guide: Place this go-to guide on your countertop to quickly reference schedules for introducing allergens, a list of nutrients your baby needs, meal ideas, and more. You can grab it while cooking or feeding without needing to wash your hands to scroll a screen.
The Food Before 1 Course Pack Item: Parent Guide - Food Before 1 Parent Course: Feeding your baby is about much more than food. In this course, Rachel Coley, MS, OT/L, shares the techniques and tools for mealtime success with your child. You learn not just what to feed, but how to handle gagging, refusal, and texture progression with confidence.
Food Before 1 Parent Course
Which option fits you?
Best for
- First-time parents who want comprehensive video guidance on starting solids
- Parents who prefer learning through expert-led lessons rather than reading
Not for
- Parents seeking toddler feeding advice beyond 12 months
- Those who only need a quick reference and already know feeding basics
