101 Before One is a baby-led weaning app that encourages shared family meals, helping your baby explore 101 real foods before their first birthday—with simple, guided support for parents.
- Everything you need for baby-led weaning all in one spot
- Content vetted by experts, supported by a vibrant parent community
- Plans flexible enough to handle allergies and picky tastes
- The paid model may be a turnoff if you want free stuff
- Only available on iOS so far
- Some minor lag issues here and there
A Quick Look of 101 Before One
Starting solids is one of those parenting milestones that can feel like stepping into the unknown, right? But what if you had a friendly guide that made it easier—and even fun? That’s exactly what 101 Before One offers. It’s an app made just for parents who want to introduce their babies to real food in a relaxed, family-centered way.
Here’s the thing: instead of spending hours pureeing special baby food, 101 Before One encourages you to share your own family meals, just modified a bit to suit your baby’s needs. It’s built on the idea of “Family Meals from the Start®.” That means no separate plates or stressful kitchen marathons—baby eats what you eat, encouraging connection and consistency from day one.
You know those moments when your little one reaches over to grab a bite of your dinner? That’s the heart of this approach—feeding that fits naturally into your family life, rather than disrupting it. And with 101 Before One, you get guided support to introduce 101 different real foods before that first birthday rolls around, giving your baby a broad, nourishing start.
Why 101 Before One Matters
Empowering Baby-Led Weaning
Baby-led weaning isn’t just a trendy phrase; it’s a parenting style that lets your baby take the wheel when it comes to eating. Instead of purees spoon-fed by you, baby holds the food, explores textures, and learns to feed themselves. This hands-on approach helps tiny fingers develop fine motor skills while building a sense of independence—and believe me, that confidence spills over into other parts of life, too.
The science behind it is pretty convincing. Babies exposed early to different textures and tastes tend to be more open eaters later. They’re less likely to reject new foods just because they look or feel unfamiliar. And that’s a huge win when you want to avoid the classic picky-eater battles down the road.
101 Before One supports this method by gently guiding you through foods that are safe, easy to handle, and perfect for those first food adventures. No pressure, no rush—just encouragement to let baby explore.
One-Stop Resource for Busy Families
Look, parenting is hectic. Between diaper changes, doctor visits, and sleepless nights, adding the puzzle of meal planning feels overwhelming. The last thing you want is to be flipping between cookbooks, scrolling through endless blogs, or juggling multiple apps just to figure out what to feed your baby.
That’s why 101 Before One combines everything in one place. Recipes? Check. Meal plans? Yep. Grocery lists? Automatic. Allergy guides? Included. Community support? You bet.
You can say goodbye to last-minute Googling or scribbled notes on random scraps of paper. Instead, you get a streamlined, expert-backed toolkit that keeps everything organized and accessible right on your phone. It’s the peace of mind you didn’t know you needed.
Read our detailed review of top infant tracking apps today!
Who’s Behind the App
Real Parents and Medical Experts
Julie Laux, the creator, isn’t just a cookbook author or a nutritionist—she’s a parent who tested every recipe with her own child. So this isn’t just theory; it’s practical advice that survived the real-life chaos of parenting. That blend of creativity and down-to-earth parenting experience shines through the app.
And she’s not alone. The team includes pediatricians who know what babies really need, dietitians who make sure the nutrition is spot on, feeding therapists who understand the tricky textures and tastes, and lactation counselors to support breastfeeding moms along the way.
This team approach means you’re not guessing what might work—you’re following guidance that’s medically sound and genuinely supportive.
Community-Driven Insights
You know how comforting it is to talk to other parents who get what you’re going through? 101 Before One nurtures that feeling with private online groups where parents swap stories, celebrate milestones (like that first taste of avocado!), and troubleshoot tricky moments together.
Plus, they host regular live Q&A sessions with experts, so the advice stays fresh, practical, and relevant. You’re not just getting an app—you’re joining a supportive community that keeps it real.
Key Features That Parents Love
Recipe Library
The heart of the app is its recipe library—over 300 family-style meal ideas! That’s a lot of meals for those “what do I feed baby tonight?” moments.
What makes it easy? You can search by ingredient (great if you have a fridge full of odds and ends), by texture (perfect when you want to gradually introduce chunkier foods), or by your baby’s age (because a 6-month-old’s needs are very different from an 11-month-old’s).
Each recipe comes with clear photos so you know exactly what the food should look like, portion tips to avoid overwhelming baby, and seasoning notes tuned for tiny taste buds—because babies don’t need a salt shaker in sight!
Meal Planning & Grocery Lists
If you’re anything like me, meal planning sounds good in theory but feels like a chore in practice. The app’s ready-made 4-week starter plan takes that off your plate. No scrambling or last-minute recipe searches.
What’s better? The grocery list is generated automatically, and you can share it by email or text. Whether you tag team with your partner or rely on a helpful grandparent for shopping, this feature makes getting the groceries painless.
Allergen Introduction Guide
Introducing allergens feels like walking a tightrope sometimes. The app lays out a gentle, easy-to-follow rollout plan for the top nine allergens—like eggs, peanuts, and fish.
It even includes printable trackers so you can note reactions and progress, plus video demos showing how to prepare allergenic foods safely. Watching those videos felt like having a calm expert right beside me, ready to reassure.
Progress Tracker & Reminders
Sometimes it’s hard to remember which foods baby’s tried and when. The app’s digital checklist lights up each time your baby samples something new—turning your food introduction journey into a satisfying visual achievement.
And for parents who like a physical reminder, there’s an optional fridge magnet, perfect for busy households where a glance at the kitchen can spark a quick check-in on progress.
Pricing
The app is free to download, letting you explore basic lessons before deciding to unlock full access. You can get lifetime membership with a one-time purchase around $40, or choose an annual subscription for ongoing updates. For those who prefer something tangible, there’s a 250-page hardcover guide bundled with lifetime app access for about $125, shipping mainly to the US, Canada, and Australia.
Considering what you get—recipes, meal plans, allergen guides, and expert support—the price is fair, especially since there are no hidden fees for community access or events.
My Personal Review
Ease of Use
I’ll be honest—apps can sometimes feel clunky or confusing, especially when you’re juggling a newborn. But 101 Before One is refreshingly easy to navigate. The main tabs (Foods, Plan, Track, Community) are simple and clearly labeled.
Setting up my baby’s profile took just a few minutes, which is a relief when you’re already running on minimal sleep.
Feature Highlights
The grocery list export was a real timesaver. It helped me avoid multiple trips to the store because I could send the list straight to my partner or use curbside pickup without missing a thing.
And those allergen introduction videos? Game changers. They gave me confidence—no guesswork, just clear, step-by-step instructions.
Value for Money
At first, the $40 one-time fee felt a little steep, but the stress it saved me with meal prep more than paid for itself. Plus, lifetime updates mean you get fresh ideas and support without paying more.
Room for Improvement
No app is perfect. Sometimes I noticed the recipe list would lag while scrolling, which was a little annoying when I was rushing.
Also, it’s only on iOS right now, so Android users are left waiting. Hopefully, that changes soon.
Comparing 101 Before One to Other Options
Check out a similar app, Solid Starts!
FAQs
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Is the app really free?
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- Yes! You can download it free and explore core lessons. Unlocking everything requires a purchase or subscription.
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What devices are supported?
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- iPhone, iPad (iOS 16+), Mac with Apple silicon (macOS 13+), and Vision Pro (visionOS 1.0+).
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How do I track allergens?
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- There’s a built-in allergen module with safety tips, printable trackers, and progress logs.
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Can I share meal plans?
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- Absolutely. You can email, text, or print grocery lists directly from the app.
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Do non-US parents have access?
- All digital features work worldwide; printed books ship to the US, Canada, and Australia only.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a friendly, reliable, and practical guide to help your baby explore the world of food with confidence and joy, 101 Before One is a smart choice. It’s designed for busy families who want mealtime to be simple, nourishing, and shared—because feeding your baby should be one of those moments you look forward to, not another thing on the to-do list.
Ready to make mealtime joyful and stress-free? Download 101 Before One today and start your baby’s delicious food adventure with confidence and ease!
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