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Solid Starts app

Solid Starts app is designed for people wanting information and support to introduce first foods to babies and progress through food textures stages in the early years.

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Solid Starts app	By SolidStarts LLC
	Features Ability to search food database. Wide range of foods on database. Nutrition tips. Suggestions on how to serve the food or different stages. Recipes. Video examples of babies trying the specific foods.
Country of origin	USA
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Password required for initial sign up but not when reopening app Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free; option for annual subscription.
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

Solid Starts is a food database app which provides users with guidance on what foods to introduce to babies and when. The app provides a database of foods and each food is classified based on allergen status and nutrition rating. Additionally the app provides detailed answers to frequently asked nutrition question and tips regarding the food, images and description on how to serve the food to different age babies and children, video demonstrations of the children eating the food, recipes and flavour pairing. Purchased subscription allows for recording food, ability to record reactions and notes, save favourite foods and track milestones.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Sufficient food database. ✔ Evidence-based nutrition tips and information. ✔ Practical ideas on how to make and serve foods for different ages and stages.	✘ The app provides information on “baby-led weaning” which should be interpreted with caution. ✘ Ability to log food only available with subscription.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Frances Arenhold, Registered Dietitian
Date of review: March 2023
Platform: Android
Version: 2.1.2
Comments: This app is useful for users introducing foods to their babies and toddlers. It provides reliable and evidence informed written and visual information. The app is a good tool to use when seeking further information and support in regards to first foods, especially once eating has been introduced and established around 7 to 8 months.
Safety concerns: The app provides information on “Baby-led weaning”. Currently, the Ministry of Health does not recommend baby-led weaning. More research is required on baby-led weaning to establish if it is a developmentally and nutritionally safe practice. All babies develop at different rates and their capacity to manage food varies. Users should consider the skill of their baby and tailor food accordingly rather than solely rely on the app recommendations. The app does provide useful guidance on food related choking risk. The contents of the app are more appropriate for babies who are established on first foods, one to two months after foods have been introduced.
New Zealand relevance: Yes, especially those who have already introduced and established eating, around seven to eight months old.
Concerns: It is unclear what is considered when determining the nutrition rating of the foods and this rating should be considered with caution.

New Zealand-based apps
Apps about children's nutrition
Baby – starting solids
Baby – all topics
Baby – feeding and nutrition
Nutrition apps
Helping children develop a positive relationship with food
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.