40 Weeks to Forever

First Foods & Toddler Table Manners - with Feeding Littles

Episode Summary

In this episode, Judith chats with Megan from Feeding Littles about the science behind baby-led weaning, how to deal with picky eaters, and tips for making family mealtimes with your toddler trouble-free. Megan is a Registered Dietitian & Nutritionist, so we also get her thoughts on sugar [doo-doo-doo-do-do-do] and how to keep it from having control over your life and little ones.

Episode Notes

• 0:39- Mom Montage | moms reflect on babies first foods
• 2:54 – baby-led weaning explained.
• 4:09 – solid food readiness ques to watch for 
  1. Can they sit well when you place them on the floor?
  2. Can they bring things to their mouth?
  3. Are they showing interest in food?
  4. Do they still have a tongue thrust? 
• 7:20 – how food has changed since the 1900s and why iron-rich foods are important for infants.
• 8:45 – how baby-led weaning helps promote independence with food.
• 9:42- how to deal with anxiety around choking and choking hazards to avoid. 
  -hard food
  -sticky foods
  -small round foods 
• 11:44 – the convenience factors of baby-led weaning 
• 12:33- why introducing allergens into you’re your child's diet may help reduce the risk 
  -early and often is recommended 
  -be prepared if they do have a reaction
  -watch for a rash to swelling
• 16:47 – what to do when your child is throwing food and other things during mealtimes. 
  -a sign that they want to be included in the meal
  -a sign that they are done
• 17:48- shares some exclusive advice for avoiding mealtime mayhem taken from their toddler feeding course
• 18:48 – why having “safe” food served at mealtimes is important to mealtime success.
• 20:28 – why serving small portion sizes keeps children from visual overwhelm at mealtime.
• 22:24- tips for getting your little ones to engage with their dinner and why serving dips will help bridge kids to eat new foods.
• 23:20- tips for how to keep sugar and sweets from having control over our lives and our kids 
  -sweets are a way to enjoy life for some people 
  -we want to teach our kids that we can have sugar and that it's not a huge deal
  -do not use it as a punishment or reward 
  -try not to elevate sugar 
  -the more we obsess about it the more kids want it. 
• 27:45 – thoughts on what to do in a toddler standoff at the dinner table if your child refuses to eat what's being served 
  -don’t narrow their palates so significantly
  -it’s okay for kids to skip a meal 
  -more information on this in the Feeding Littles courses 
• 30:38 – Megan shares her thoughts on offering a bedtime snack
  Pro: this can be used as a safeguard 
  Con: sometimes kids will learn to expect the snack and continue not eating dinner 
• 31:31- how to get parents and grandparents up to date on baby-led weaning and how to include them in the process. 
• 33:15 – Confidence Corner 
  Product 1: OXO Tot Silicone Self-Feeder
  Product 2: Bumpkins Silicone Dipping Spoons

About our Guest

Megan and Judy are the dynamic duos behind Feeding Littles. 
Judy is an Occupational Therapist. 
Megan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. 
They both specialize in pediatric feeding, and their combined expertise in behavior, oral-motor and sensory development, real food nutrition, and cooking/meal planning are what make them an unstoppable combo.

Connect 
@feedinglittles
feedinglittles.com 

Learn More
@snugglebugzbaby
snugglebugz.ca