Why consult a dietitian

Empowering Parents: Welcome to Solid Start!

I’m Caroline, Your Children’s Dietitian at Solid Start!

As a paediatric dietitian and mum, I’m passionate about helping parents confidently navigate mealtimes, making them enjoyable and stress-free—no superhuman effort required!

Are you a new parent feeling lost amid conflicting weaning advice?

Are you frustrated because your toddler seems to reject everything?

Or perhaps you’re managing food allergies and worried that your little one is missing out on essential nutrients?

You’re not alone, and I’m here to support you every step of the way!

Best Health, Medical

Caroline O'Connor Dietitian

6 THINGS A REGISTERED CHILDREN’S DIETITIAN CAN DO FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD

Help with breastfeeding

Help diagnose and manage food allergies

Provide feeding solutions to digestive problems

Help with weaning

Manage fussy eating

Plan healthy plant-based diets

My Journey as Your Children’s Dietitian

Hi there! I’m Caroline, and I’ve been a registered dietitian since 1999 and a mum since 2007. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about what really works when feeding kids. As a children’s dietitian, I’ve had the pleasure of helping thousands of parents feel more confident about how and what to feed their little ones. My clients often say I’m practical, relatable, and non-judgmental, which makes me so happy! After all, I know firsthand that knowing the theory doesn’t help much if you can’t put it into practice.

It breaks my heart to see parents feel guilty for not whipping everything up from scratch or for their child’s love of crackers over broccoli. At Solid Start, I aim to help you give your children the best start in life with food, all while keeping things easy and stress-free.

An accidental entrepreneur!

As a mum of four, I never set out to become an entrepreneur! But in 2016, while on maternity leave with my youngest, I started running Baby Weaning Workshops while navigating my daughter’s weaning journey. One of my biggest pet peeves is all the confusing nutrition advice out there—it’s everywhere!

When my first Baby Weaning Workshop in Cork took off in August 2016, I was thrilled! I continued offering them monthly, even after returning to my role as a community dietitian with the HSE. Those workshops turned into toddler classes and private consultations. In June 2018, I took the plunge to focus solely on Solid Start, turning it into a one-stop shop for all your professional feeding advice. And in 2019, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a lactation consultant!

Now, I run Solid Start from my home in Cork, where I share my life with my husband, our three messy boys (ages 17, 15, and 11), and our lovely 8-year-old daughter (the inspiration for Solid Start!).

MY QUALIFICATIONS

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BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics

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Member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute

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IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)

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CORU Registered (Reg No. DI06988)

I loved this course and I also love your page. Your simple no-nonsense approach to feeding is great. I was frazzled from all the fancy baby recipes. I also love the good lunch / bad lunch section where the child had lunch and then the other child had none. You can get so bogged down in fancy feeding. I really loved the course and found it very relevant to me and my toddler. Also, your attention to detail is fantastic and you’re very supportive both through your insta page and the course which is amazing. I have already recommended the course to a few friends and I will continue to look back on it myself. When my toddler is a little older I will also bring in family-style meals, I love this idea. This course had given me the confidence to see I am doing a good job !!

Thanks so much, Caroline

Confused about Food Labels?

Learn how to make sense of the food labels. With this free tip sheet, you won’t have to rely on what the manufacturer WANTS you to know! You can decide for yourself what’s high or low in sugar (or salt).

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