The My Little Eater Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#71: How to Serve Honey to Your Toddler – AFTER 1 Year of Age Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

In this quick tip episode, I’m doing another installment in the “How to serve…” series - and this one comes as a request from a listener...honey! Let’s start by clarifying that honey - in ALL forms - is unsafe for your baby under 1 year of age. I go into why in the episode, so if this is news to you, please make sure you listen to that info because it can actually be very dangerous for babies. Now, once your baby gets past that 1 year mark...how do you introduce honey to them? Can they just have it as is? I go into all the details for you! From why I recommend actually waiting until 2 years old (if you can), different ideas for serving it safely, when it’s considered a choking hazard, and whether some honeys are considered more nutrient dense than others. As always, this is all backed by research, so you can trust that I’m giving you the best info to ensure you’re keeping your baby safe, while also enjoying this fun stage of letting them test out new foods and flavours! If you get value from this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review it Apple Podcasts. And since this episode is giving out some really important info on safety for babies, please share it with your friends who also have babies at this stage! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you’d like to submit a request for a topic you’d like to see covered on the podcast, you can do that below. I’m getting ready for Season 4, so let me know what you wanna know! If you love my “How to serve…” series, you’re going to LOVE my Baby Led Feeding online course - I show you, with video, how to serve ALL types of foods safely to your baby, so you can start solids with absolute confidence, and enjoy this milestone moment with them! And if you’re really enjoying learning about the research behind these really specific topics, and just want to know all the details about everything feeding related so you’re prepared for the next 5-7 years with your baby - it’s time to get in on the Little Eaters Club. New content releases in this membership monthly, so you can continue learning about feeding, and also have access to ongoing support for whatever comes up! PODCAST TOPIC REQUEST: https://form.asana.com?k=Ol1IPPR9rMj2mEb-Fy6VEQ&d=1145127509713011 BABY LED FEEDING COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/ LITTLE EATERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP: https://mylittleeater.com/little-eaters-club/ SKIP TO... Why you need to avoid honey under 1 year of age (2:04) How to introduce honey after 1 year old (6:41) Is honey a choking hazard? (9:11)

#70: What to say to toddlers to get them to eat (without pressure!) Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I run through some examples of what you can say to your toddler to create a no pressure environment that gets them to eat. I give you some tips that will make meal time conversations a breeze, and help encourage your toddler to try new foods. Now, they may not try a new food the very first time it’s offered to them, but with exposure and the phrases I’m sharing with you today, your child will learn a growth mindset and be more open to trying new foods in the future. Following these suggestions will create a pressure free environment that considers your toddler’s feelings, and gets them to explore food at their own pace. The number one tip I find that works wonders on setting the right environment going into a meal, is to have no agenda of getting them to eat anything. This takes the pressure off of you, as the parent who’s providing the food, and off your toddler, who’s the one deciding how much they want to eat. When you approach mealtime, I want you to think “this is not about eating and nutrition at all” and when you get into that mindset, you can be more neutral in terms of how you speak to them. This removes some of that emotion that may make you say things that can be pressuring. Instead, the focus will now be on using factual statements only. Don’t worry, I’ve got all the examples you need in this episode. If you find these tips helpful, please take a few minutes to go over to Apple Podcasts to leave a quick review. It would be great to hear from you and get your feedback on this episode, or on the podcast in general. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you don’t miss out on future episodes! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you’re interested in learning more about how to achieve stress-free, healthy meal times with your toddler, while squashing picky eating in its tracks, then my Feeding Toddlers Course is for you. Sign up today for a step-by-step instruction on how to feed your toddler. If you’ve got the foundational knowledge from completing one of my courses and you’re looking for more support, then you may want to join our Little Eaters Club. You’ll have access to a private Facebook group full of supportive parents who want to share in your feeding journey and answer any questions you may have. The Little Eaters Club also includes extra resources and free coaching calls with me, if you’re a course grad, so join today. FEEDING TODDLERS COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/ LITTLE EATERS CLUB: https://mylittleeater.com/little-eaters-club/ MORE ABOUT TALKING TO TODDLERS AT MEALS: https://mylittleeater.com/talking-to-toddlers/ SKIP TO... Stop focusing on how much they eat and their nutrition (2:19) State only the facts and remember to empathize (7:13) If they don't like everything - that's ok! (11:04) Don't let your toddler take over your role in feeding (14:39)

#69: Overwhelmed and confused with feeding info? Find clarity, calm, and confidence with this major piece of advice! Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

In this quick tip episode, I’m giving you my best advice on curing that sense of overwhelm that comes with information overload in the parenting world! I think you know what I mean...you’re scrolling social media and there’s one tip on something, you go a little further and there’s another...but it’s the exact opposite of the first one. What do you do? Who do you trust? What’s the right answer?! I’ve been there, I’m navigating the pre-teen world right now, and it’s so new, and it’s so overwhelming! I love having access to experts at my finger tips, thanks to Instagram, but at the same time, I recognize that it can cause me a lot of stress, and cause some self-doubt to sneak into my parenting. And from the messages I get on Instagram, the same is happening to you! I hear things like… “We’re starting solids soon, but I have no idea where to start, and I can’t decide how to feed them!” OR... “My toddler is barely eating anything, they’re not growing. I feel like I’ve tried everything, every tip out there. I don’t know what to do.” If you heard my interview with Dr. Becky at Good Inside last week, then you know she defines confidence as trusting that your feelings are right, and ok, in the absence of certainty. So you don’t question your feelings, you trust in what they’re telling you, and therefore in what you decide to do based on those feelings. This is what I want for you. I want you to know that even if you don’t know what to do, or you feel something an expert is suggesting isn’t a good fit for you, that’s ok. None of this reflects on whether you’re a good parent or not. You’re a good parent whether you know exactly what to do, or not. So, to get that level of confidence, I have ONE tip that is super easy to try, but maybe not always as easy to follow, if I’m being honest. I want you to try it out for a month, and see how it goes. It’s been a life saver for me, and my stress-levels, and I feel much more confident in the choices I make as a parent, as a result. As always, if you get value from this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review it at Apple Podcasts, it helps me so much and I’m incredibly grateful for it! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you think you need a one-stop-shop to get all your feeding answers, and you trust me (which I so hope you do!), check out my online courses. I even have a bundle discount for buying both, which sets you up for success and confidence in feeding for the next 7+ years! ONLINE COURSES: https://mylittleeater.com/online-courses/ THE FEEDING BUNDLE: https://courses.mylittleeater.com/offers/FMTgKHot/checkout INTERVIEW WITH DR. BECKY KENNEDY: https://mylittleeater.com/68-confident-parenting/ SKIP TO... Information overwhelm in parenting (0:46) Overwhelm in feeding your kids (6:29) Today’s quick tip (10:47)

#68: Eliminate uncertainty and become the confident parent you’re meant to be with Dr. Becky Kennedy Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I’m so, so excited to talk with Dr. Becky Kennedy, a very popular clinical psychologist that you probably know from Instagram. Her content really resonates with me, and I just love how confident it makes me feel as a parent, so I wanted you to have the chance to experience it too! The topic we dive into today is, you guessed it, confidence. Here at My Little Eater™, we aim to be there for you to help you feel confident on your feeding journey with your baby, and hopefully this episode will help carry that into other aspects of parenting as well. Today, Dr. Becky shares a great definition of what confidence is, that’s a little different from the mainstream media, and we talk through how you can use it to feel confident as a parent and to approach confidence building moments with your children. She even runs through a script of what to say when your child comes to the table, and then 2 minutes later, decides they’re done with the meal. She gives you the tools you need to build confidence in your child, while holding firmly to your boundaries. You’ll find out exactly what to expect will happen from using this strategy, and what results you’ll see eventually, with consistency. I really hope you enjoy this episode with Dr. Becky, and if you get any value at ALL, please head over to Apple Podcasts and subscribe, rate, and review it. It’s a great way to help me get this podcast out to other parents like you, who are looking for strategies to raise happy and healthy families with confidence. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you want to learn more about breaking generational cycles, how to do things differently from how you were raised, how to shift intergenerational patterns, and get strategies to make those changes, check out Dr. Becky’s Reparenting Ourselves workshop. REPARENTING OURSELVES WORKSHOP: https://learning.goodinside.com/courses/reparenting-ourselves FOLLOW DR. BECKY ON INSTAGRAM: @drbeckyatgoodinside GOOD INSIDE PODCAST WITH DR. BECKY: https://goodinside.com/podcast/ FIND MORE COURSES AND WORKSHOPS WITH DR. BECKY: https://learning.goodinside.com/ If you’re ready to feel confident when feeding your babies and toddlers, check out my online courses to learn more and get started now! https://mylittleeater.com/online-courses/ DR. BECKY'S BIO: Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, resilience, and parenting. She specializes in thinking deeply about what’s happening for kids and translating these ideas into simple, actionable strategies for parents to use in their homes. Dr. Becky's goal is to empower parents to feel sturdier and more equipped to manage the challenges of parenting. Dr. Becky runs a popular Instagram page, @drbeckyatgoodinside, has a Top Kids and Family Podcast, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, and authors a weekly newsletter, Good Insider. She also runs a variety of virtual parenting and self-care workshops, lectures on various mental health issues, and consults for organizations. Dr. Becky received a BA in Psychology and Human Development, Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude, from Duke University and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University. She is a mother of three young kids and lives in NY. SKIP TO... Meet Dr. Becky (3:54) Definition of confidence (8:53) Confidence in toddlerhood (16:07) Example of confidence building and setting boundaries (21:24) What it means if your child cries, or has a tantrum, as a result (28:13) How the way YOU were raised affects your ability to build confidence as a parent (31:32)

#67: How to serve peanuts to babies and toddlers Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I’m continuing on with my “How to serve…” series, and today I’m talking all about peanuts! This is a food that many parents feel a lot of hesitation about, due to the fact that it’s the top allergen for children in North America. This fact can cause a lot of anxiety for parents, which may result in them delaying the introduction of peanuts, but the newest research tells us we need to introduce them early and often to decrease the chance of an allergy developing. So my goal is to give you all the details on how to do this safely to help relieve some of that anxiety! Now, most of you will know that I believe the right time for starting solids is when your baby is showing all the developmental signs of readiness. This is typically around 6 months of age, maybe a week or two earlier or later, depending on the child. But, with peanuts, in some cases an allergist may ask you to introduce them even earlier, even around 4 months of age, if there’s a family history of allergy as this may help decrease the chance of an allergy even further. So today, I’ll share how to do this safely from 4 months of age, and then also chat about serving them all the way up to older than 2 years of age. I’ll also be explaining how this all fits into my signature Texture Timeline™ tool for advancing in textures. So, take a minute and download this episode so you can listen to it when you have a spare 15 minutes, because it’s a must listen for ALL parents! As always, if you get value from this episode, please rate and review it at Apple Podcasts! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you want to learn all my best tips for how to safely serve all foods from the very beginning so that you confidently move through each phase of feeding your baby to prevent picky eating, the Baby Led Feeding course is for you! BABY LED FEEDING ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/ TEXTURE TIMELINE™ CHALLENGE: https://courses.mylittleeater.com/texturetimelinechallenge MORE ON INTRODUCING PEANUTS & TREE NUTS: https://mylittleeater.com/introducingpeanutsandtreenuts/ SERVING PEANUTS SAFELY: https://mylittleeater.com/peanuts SKIP TO... Facts and nutrition on peanuts (2:27) How to serve peanuts: 4 - 6 months old (6:07) How to serve peanuts: 6 months - 2 years old (9:30) How to serve peanuts: 2 years old and up (13:20)

#66: Can babies digest starch? Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I’m sharing with you all the research I’ve done on babies and toddlers digesting starch. This is another topic that I’ve been asked about several times by worried parents who are just trying to decide what food is best to serve as a first food for their baby. I’m glad that I can clear up any confusion about grains rotting in a baby's gut - which is the main point of what I’ve been hearing, and is not exactly true! So it’s time for some myth-busting! Starting with, explaining what starch is, and what food it's found in. You may be surprised...it’s in more foods than just grains, and it would be hard to avoid giving them to your baby. Then, I break down exactly how starch is digested by your baby, and bust that myth that babies can’t digest it. Finally, I get into why it's important to introduce starches at around 6 months of age, rather than waiting until they’re 2 years old. If you get value from this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review it at Apple Podcasts. I would really appreciate it, and it helps get this podcast out to other parents like you to help them with feeding their babies too! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you’re interested in learning more about what foods are best for your baby, how to serve them, how to prevent picky eating, and how to advance your baby onto finger foods in a non-stressful way, then my Baby Led Feeding Course is for you. Sign up today for a step by step instruction on how to feed your baby. BABY LED FEEDING COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/ MORE ABOUT DIGESTING STARCH: https://mylittleeater.com/babies-and-starch SKIP TO: What is starch? (3:16) How is starch digested? (4:10) How is it digested in babies? (6:44) Should you wait to introduce starches to your baby? (12:59)

Episode art for episode: "#65: Plates for babies & toddlers: What age to use them, divided or not, and my favourite plate recommendations". Pictured is a baby holding their plate in their high chair. — **#65: Plates for babies & toddlers: What age to use them, divided or not, and my favourite plate recommendations** Jul 06, 2021
Show notes

**Today’s quick tip is all about choosing the right plate for your baby or toddler!** Parents ask me all the time about what products I recommend for starting solids, and then also for picky eaters – and one of their main concerns is choosing the “right” plate. So today I’m going to share some of my favourites, and my best tips for picking plates for your kiddos.

First, I share all the traits I personally look for when shopping. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the baby section of every store is filled with numerous options for everything – and everything says that it’s recommended, or backed by research, etc. So how do you choose? I’ll give you my list of what to look for when shopping for plates for babies and toddlers, and then also answer the popular question – divided or undivided? Finally, I cover when you should start using them, brand recommendations, and if you really need the ones that suction to the table/tray (spoiler…yes, you probably do!).

As always, if you get value from this episode, please rate and review it at Apple Podcasts! And let me know your favourite plate – maybe there’s another new one out there I’m missing!

**Additional Resources:**

*ONLINE COURSES: https://mylittleeater.com/online-courses/*

*CANADIAN AMAZON SHOP: https://www.amazon.ca/shop/mylittleeater*

*US AMAZON SHOP: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mylittleeater*

*SHOP EZPZ: https://shrsl.com/326pa*

*FOOD THROWING TIPS: https://mylittleeater.com/10-simple-tips-to-eliminate-food-throwing-for-good/*

*MORE ON PLATES: https://mylittleeater.com/best-plates*

**Skip To…**

What to look for in plates (1:05)

When to introduce a plate (2:15)

Divided vs. undivided plates (5:03)

Why you need suction plates (9:05)

*Please note that I do receive a small commission from any products purchased from the links in this post. But, this comes at no additional cost to you, and I will only ever link items that I FULLY support and stand behind! These small commissions help me keep my website alive and kicking so I can continue to provide you with valuable feeding info.

#64: How and when to use food chaining for your picky eater with Heidi Miller, SLP Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Heidi Miller, a speech language pathologist who specializes in extreme picky eating. She is also the author of the HMS Feeding Protocol which she uses to treat picky eating and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). She gives us her perspective on using food chaining to ease picky eating with children. She also gives an example of food chaining and shows us how you can get your child to go from eating chicken nuggets, to chicken Milanese! This episode will give you a little insight into what feeding therapy might look like. But before trying this technique, you might want to determine if your child is simply picky, or if there’s something else at work and they’re a true problem feeder. In some cases, a referral to a feeding specialist may be needed, such as an SLP like Heidi, or an OT - you just want to make sure they specialize in feeding! If you have questions for Heidi, you can DM her on Instagram @hmsfeedingandspeech. As always, please feel free to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts if you’ve enjoyed this episode, or you found the information useful. I would really appreciate it so that I can get this podcast out to other parents like you, and help them with feeding their babies and toddlers too. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you don’t miss out when new episodes are released! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: For more about feeding your toddler, including other strategies used in feeding therapy to prevent or manage picky eating, check out my Feeding Toddlers online course. It's time to enjoy happier mealtimes with your toddler! FEEDING TODDLERS: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/ If you’re a speech therapist, or occupational therapist, that’s interested in using the HMS Feeding Protocol to expand your picky eater’s food list, you can find it here. (https://heidimillerspeech.com/) CONNECT WITH HEIDI ON INSTAGRAM: @hmsfeedingandspeech DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY:https://mylittleeater.com/9-the-one-feeding-strategy-that-will-change-mealtimes-forever/ WHEN PICKY EATING MOVES FROM NORMAL TO EXTREME: https://mylittleeater.com/pickyeatingspectrum/ HEIDI'S BIO: Heidi Miller MS, CCC-SLP, COM is a speech language pathologist, feeding specialist and certified orofacial myologist who works with children (0-18) and families to improve their speech and feeding skills. Heidi has a specific interest in picky eating. She recently published the HMS Feeding Therapy Protocol for Expanding Repertoire of Picky Eaters and Children with ARFID to help other speech therapists and occupational therapists treat this population. Heidi believes through her 20 years of experience treating this population she has developed a treatment protocol that empowers the child and allows them to confidently learn to eat new foods in a safe environment. Heidi has a true passion for this work as eating can be very challenging and disruptive to a family who has a child that struggles with a limited repertoire. Heidi Miller holds a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University, Bachelor of Science from University of Wisconsin- Madison and Minor in Education. SKIP TO... Heidi’s perspective on food chaining (4:24) The importance of the division of responsibility (8:27) How to explain the process to your child (14:20) Is your child a picky eater or a problem feeder? (17:07) Food chaining example (21:24)

#63: How to Serve Strawberries to Your Baby or Toddler Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the first of a new series I’m going to be doing on how to serve various types of food! This is something that I do, in much more detail, inside my Baby Led Feeding online course, and I know it’s a highly requested topic, so I wanted to begin sharing more about how to safely serve various foods, and where they fit in my signature Texture Timeline™, as well. Today, I’m starting with a wonderful summer fruit, something that’s in season where I live right now, and is so delicious...strawberries! These are a great option to serve to your baby for many reasons, and I go into some nutritional facts, and allergen facts, regarding strawberries in this episode too. Finally, I share how to safely serve them at different stages for babies, and for toddlers. As always, if you enjoyed this quick tip episode, please leave me a short review - I read every one! I’d love to hear what you think, or ideas for future episodes, so please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave that info in a review there. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: If you’re looking to confidently move through each phase of feeding your baby in order to prevent picky eating, you need my Baby Led Feeding online course! BABY LED FEEDING: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/ And, if you’re looking to begin progressing through textures, but don’t know where to start or how to move forward, sign up for my FREE Texture Timeline™ Challenge to learn about the different phases and practice with some recipes that I provide for each phase. TEXTURE TIMELINE™ CHALLENGE: https://courses.mylittleeater.com/texturetimelinechallenge EP. 54 ON BUYING ORGANIC: https://mylittleeater.com/54-organic/ OATMEAL FINGERS RECIPE: https://mylittleeater.com/basic-oatmeal-fingers-for-baby-family/ SKIP TO... Facts on strawberries (2:16) How to safely serve strawberries to babies (6:26) Serving strawberries to toddlers (10:35)

#62: Do toddlers need bedtime snacks? When to offer them, what types of foods to offer, and when they can be problematic! Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I’m answering a question a lot of you have asked... “Do toddlers need bedtime snacks?”. I’m sure this has happened to you, your toddler comes to you just before bed and says: “I’m hungry!”. So, do you give your little one something to eat, or are they just stalling? Today, I’ll clear up any confusion around this topic. There are a few things to consider when choosing if a bedtime snack is needed, such as when the last time they ate was, and what time they’re going to bed. I’ll explain what the purpose of a bedtime snack is, when it’s warranted, and when it isn’t - that’s right, I don’t always recommend a bedtime snack! However, for the times when a bedtime snack IS actually warranted, I’ll go over some tips to keep in mind, along with any exceptions to the rule. Lastly, I include how to put the snack into your schedule and give you ideas for good bedtime snacks to serve. So, please tune in and find out if your toddler needs a snack before bed, and what to actually serve them if they do! As always, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, or you found the information useful, please feel free to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This allows me to get this podcast out to parents like you who are looking for help with feeding their babies and toddlers too. Oh... and don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll get notified when our new episodes are released! If you have any questions, just head over to Instagram, @mylittleeater, and send me a DM. I'd love to hear from you! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Have you joined the Little Eaters Club yet? If you do, you’ll get access to a ton of recipes designed for the whole family, and I’ve tested every one so I know you’ll like them. We also have an ever growing video library covering common challenges and frequently asked questions, along with guides, resources, and so much more! All for the exclusive founding member’s pricing of $14 per month – for life - when you sign up before midnight on June 28th (ADT). You can try it out and cancel at any time, so come join our community today! LITTLE EATERS CLUB: https://mylittleeater.com/little-eaters-club/ FEEDING TODDLERS COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/ FEEDING SCHEDULES FOR TODDLERS: https://mylittleeater.com/14-feeding-schedules-for-toddlers/ THE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY: https://mylittleeater.com/9-the-one-feeding-strategy-that-will-change-mealtimes-forever/ BUILDING HEALTHY TODDLER MEALS AND SNACKS: https://mylittleeater.com/my-golden-rule-to-building-healthy-toddler-meals-and-snacks/ WHY A LITTLE HUNGER IS NOT AN EMERGENCY: https://mylittleeater.com/why-a-little-hunger-is-not-an-emergency/ MORE ON BEDTIME SNACKS FOR TODDLERS: https://mylittleeater.com/bedtimesnacks/ SKIP TO: Purpose of the bedtime snack (3:42) When are bedtime snacks warranted (7:03) Tips to keep in mind when planning bedtime snacks (8:43) Exceptions to the rule (16:37) Ideas for bedtime snacks (22:59)

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