On this episode of the My Little Eater Podcast, I’m digging into what the true purpose of your baby’s growth chart (or toddler’s) is, and what it tells you about their health and growth. Growth charts seem to be either an exciting or a stressful thing for parents, depending on where their child lands on the growth curves. And this is basically because most times, how your child is growing and reaching developmental milestones, all have to do with their overall health. 

This podcast covers what exactly growth curves and growth percentiles are, what it means if your child falls in the 5th percentile vs. the 95th percentile, and when you should truly start to worry, or seek further medical opinions. 

As always, if you find this podcast helps answer your questions about feeding your baby or toddler, please leave a rating and review at Apple Podcasts! This gets your name in a weekly draw for a 15 minute 1-on-1 video session with your’s truly, so we can tackle those feeding questions together! Make sure to leave your Instagram handle, so I can find you if you’re the lucky winner   .

Starting solids with your baby? If you’re unsure where to start, start with my Baby Led Feeding Online Course! This course gives you all the steps to get your baby on their way to loving food, eating it safely, and preventing picky eating before it starts! This course is tailored for babies aged 6-12 month old, and gives you the confidence to move through each phase of feeding (from puree to finger foods) in a step by step manner, supporting good eating habits early! 

BABY LED FEEDING ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/

If you’re worried your toddler is developing bad mealtime habits, or you’re noticing picky tendencies, this course is for you! My Feeding Toddler Online Course is the best place to start. This course will give you all the tricks to get you on the right path to raising an adventurous and happy eater, eliminating mealtime battles for good! 

FEEDING TODDLERS ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

Healthy Height has been an all time favourite of mine to help support my son’s growth and give him that extra boost of nutrition. They currently have chocolate, vanilla flavours, as well as unflavoured, making it easy to use in shakes, smoothies and even recipes! Plus it’s absolutely delicious. And as a bonus, you can get 15% off your first order by using my special code EATER15! Head over to their website to take advantage of this great offer!

HEALTHY HEIGHTS: https://healthyheights.com

What is a growth chart? (1:40)

When should you worry? (5:05)

What are some normal changes you may see on your child’s growth chart (11:05)

Genetic factors that contribute to growth outcomes ()

Circumstances that can cause a deviation from their “normal” curve (13:45)

Check out my online courses if you’re struggling with feeding issues (23:10)

On this episode of the My Little Eater Podcast, we’re covering how to serve pumpkin to your baby, including the health benefits of pumpkin for your baby. There’s no better time than now to jump into this topic, given that fall and thanksgiving are here! Typically though, most of us prefer to decorate with it, instead of including it in our meal plans – but I’m here to change that! 

Pumpkin is such a versatile food, making it super easy to incorporate in a variety of dishes, adding a unique and rich flavour. It’s easy to pair with sweet and savoury flavours, making the possibilities endless! There are also tons of health benefits of pumpkin for babies, including a TON of Vitamin A, fiber, iron and B vitamins, just to name a few! Luckily, pumpkin can be served safely to babies early on, and can easily be one of your baby’s first foods when they start solids

So, how do you serve pumpkin to your baby (or toddler)? Depending on their age you can offer it pureed, roasted as a side dish, make it into pasta sauce, baked goods and more! I’ll  go through it all in this episode and I think you’ll love it!

If you find these episodes help answer your questions, and tackle all baby or toddler feeding questions, please leave a rating and review at Apple Podcasts! If you try pumpkin with your baby over the holidays, I’d love to see the cuteness! Share a pic of your baby trying it out and tag me, @mylittleeater, on Instagram! 

Starting solids with your baby? If you’re unsure where to start, start with my Baby Led Feeding Online Course! This course will provide you with everything you need to know about feeding your 6-12 month old, from the right feeding gear, to what foods to serve and how to serve them, helping you build healthy eating habits early! The course teaches you how to confidently move through each phase of feeding (from puree to finger foods), preventing picky eating habits from the start.

BABY LED FEEDING ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/

If you’re past the baby stage, and are now dealing with picky tendencies quickly arising, my Feeding Toddler Online Course can help teach you techniques to stop these tendencies before they become a bigger problem. These tried and tested solutions will ultimately eliminate mealtime battles and bring back happy mealtimes for your entire family. 

FEEDING TODDLERS ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

When you can introduce pumpkin (1:30)

Health benefits of pumpkin (2:00)

What type of pumpkin should you buy? (2:55)

How to serve pumpkin to your baby and toddler (4:45)

Recipes to include pumpkin in (10:09) 

On this episode of the My Little Eater Podcast, we’re talking all about plant based diets for babies and toddlers! With the increased popularity of plant based diets, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing more vegan and vegetarian babies. So today I want to give you all the deets around whether it’s okay (from a health perspective) to raise your baby or toddler on a plant based diet. I’ll be diving into how to make it well designed and breaking down all the dietary concerns to keep in mind to keep your baby healthy and thriving!

This podcast will give you peace of mind if your family decides to take the plant based route, or if you perhaps have a toddler who happens to be on a prolonged meat strike . As an added bonus, I’ve even created a FREE plant based recipe bundle to take the guessing out of making balanced meals for your little one.

I also want to note that for the purpose of this podcast, when I refer to a plant based diet, I’m referring to either a vegan baby or a vegetarian baby – not just those who eat a large amount of vegetables and still eat eggs, meat, dairy, and seafood.

As always, if you get value from this episode, please leave a rating and review at Apple Podcasts! And, if you give any of the free recipes a try I’d love to hear your thoughts. Better yet, share a pic of your baby trying out the recipe and tag me, @mylittleeater, on Instagram!

As I mentioned in the episode, I’ve created a free downloadable resource that includes delicious and easy plant based meals that have all been tested and approved by yours truly! You can rest assured that these meals are all nutritionally balanced and completely suitable for babies, toddlers, and the whole family!

FREE PLANT BASED RECIPE BUNDLE: https://courses.mylittleeater.com/plantbasedrecipes 

Starting solids with your baby? If you’re unsure where to begin, start with my Baby Led Feeding Online Course! This course will provide you with everything you need to know about feeding your 6-12 month old, from the right feeding gear, to what foods to serve and how to serve them, helping you build healthy eating habits early!

BABY LED FEEDING ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/

Have a toddler who turns their nose up at meat whenever it’s served? Or maybe you want to try going plant based but your toddler has very limited foods they’ll eat. Regardless of the situation, my Feeding Toddlers Online Course can help teach you techniques to handle picky eating before it gets worse! This course also has a whole section dedicated to supplements for toddlers which, as mentioned in this episode, is important when considering a plant based diet. 

FEEDING TODDLERS ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

AMAZON SHOP (CANADA): https://www.amazon.ca/shop/mylittleeater

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

EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT IRON FOR YOUR BABY: https://mylittleeater.com/3363-2/

What the current research says (4:00)

Iron intake for babies (8:00)

Are they getting enough B12? (13:40)

The importance of Omega-3’s (14:42)

Ensuring they’re getting adequate calcium (17:53)

In this episode, we’re talking all about first birthdays because it’s BIRTHDAY WEEK here at My Little Eater™! We’re celebrating four years as MLE, and I wanted to weigh in on this really popular topic for your sweet baby’s first birthday milestone… sugar or sugar-free smash cake, what’s better? Typically, I see opinions fall either very strongly on the sugar-free side, or very strongly on the sugar-filled side – so where do I fall on the spectrum? I’m a little more in-between!

Listen in to hear what the actual nutritional recommendations are when it comes to offering sugar at 1 year old, why it’s really ok if you opt not to go the sugar-free route, what I decided for my own boys, and whether or not I would change my mind if doing it all over again today. Here’s the thing, at MLE we never judge or criticize your decisions as parents – you know what’s best for your family – so you won’t catch any of that here. But you will be able to hear both sides of this argument, and better be able to assess what exactly will work for your family. Plus, as an added bonus, you can download my favourite added sugar-free smash cake recipe below – because I’ll be honest, a lot of them are kinda gross. 

As always, if you get value from this episode, please leave a rating and review at Apple Podcasts! And, I’d love for you to share some pictures of your baby enjoying their first birthday cake (and if you use my smash cake recipe, let me know your thoughts!) by tagging me on Instagram – these pictures are always so sweet! Enjoy this milestone with your baby – no matter what you choose!

Now that your baby will be entering the toddler stage, it’s time to learn how to handle the changes that happen in toddlerhood, and be prepared to prevent or manage picky eating. Check out my Feeding Toddlers online course for all the steps you need to enjoy happier mealtimes with your toddler!

FEEDING TODDLERS ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

FREE SMASH CAKE RECIPE: https://courses.mylittleeater.com/episode-78-ultimate-smash-cake-recipe

READ MORE ON BABY’S FIRST SMASH CAKE: https://mylittleeater.com/the-ultimate-healthy-baby-smash-cake-recipe-no-added-sugar/

MORE ON OFFERING SUGAR/SWEETS: https://mylittleeater.com/healthyrelationshipwithsugar/

The nutritional recommendation (4:30)

Why it’s ok to offer a sugar-filled smash cake (7:10)

What I decided for my own kids (8:32)

Would I choose sugar or sugar free now? (9:29)

My favourite smash cake recipe (13:07)

In this episode, I break down a very common concern among parents….mouth stuffing! I’m willing to bet that at one point or another you’ve seen your baby or toddler with cute little “chipmunk cheeks”. But, that moment of “Aww they’re so adorable!” is quickly replaced with panic when you think about how much food they’ve stuffed into their mouth, and how unsafe that must be for them!

That’s why I wanted to take some time and really break this problem down so we can understand why this happens, the purpose that it serves (there are some pros to this, so stay with me!), how we can help them get through this phase, and what we can do to discourage this behaviour when we witness them doing it. I’m covering it all in this episode, so get ready to take some notes because this short episode is jam-packed (kinda like your baby’s cheeks 😉 ) with lots of tips!

If you get value from this episode, please remember to leave a rating and review at Apple Podcasts – I read every single one – and don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there. Finally, pass along this info to your friends, like I said, I’m willing to bet almost every parent has seen this before, so they’ll benefit from these tips too.

For all the information you could ever need to start solids with your baby, check out my Baby Led Feeding online course. This will show you how to feed your baby from 6 to 12 months in a way that will set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating, and can actually help prevent picky eating!

BABY LED FEEDING ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/

If you’re already into the toddler stage, or close to it, and you want to know how to handle the changes that happen in toddlerhood, as well as be prepared to prevent or manage picky eating, check out my Feeding Toddlers online course. This gives you all the steps you need to begin enjoying happier mealtimes with your toddler!

FEEDING TODDLERS ONLINE COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

MORE ON MOUTH STUFFING: https://mylittleeater.com/troubleshooting-common-feeding-issues-mouth-stuffing-huge-bites-and-more/

AMAZON SHOP (CANADA): https://www.amazon.ca/shop/mylittleeater

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

Why do babies over-stuff their mouth? (1:54)

How to help your baby build oral-awareness (5:22)

How to help them when they do over-stuff their mouth (9:22)

How to teach your baby or toddler to take smaller bites (11:44)

In this episode of the My Little Eater Podcast, I teach you how to spoon feed purees to your 6 month old baby – the baby led feeding way! This may seem intuitive to you, and not like something you need to be taught at all…BUT there are some tricks to doing this in a responsive way that respects your baby’s internal hunger cues, and allows for proper oral motor skill development.

You see, many of us spoon feed purees the same way that we’ve seen on television, or how other parents around us have done so. And often this might include games to distract the baby into accepting the spoon, such as… “Open up for the airplane! VROOOOMMM!”. Or, we may put the spoon in their mouth and automatically swipe up, and then clean their chin off with the spoon. These are examples of some really common things that parents do, but are they actually helpful for your baby who’s just learning about starting solids? Unfortunately, not really. That’s why I’m going over the steps that I’d like to see you take when spoon feeding your baby. Following these steps will assist with their development, food exploration, and will encourage them to self-feed sooner rather than later (which is the ultimate goal!).

If you find this information helpful, please leave a rating and review at Apple Podcasts (and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!). And please share this episode with another parent about to start solids with their baby – puree feeding is a great way to begin and these tips will get them started on the right foot!

For all the information you could ever need to start solids with your baby, check out my Baby Led Feeding online course. This will show you how to feed your baby from 6 to 12 months in a way that will set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating, and can actually help prevent picky eating!

MORE ON BABY LED FEEDING: https://mylittleeater.com/babyledfeeding/

The Baby Led Feeding Method (2:21)

The 4 steps of spoon feeding (3:52)

Other tips to consider when spoon feeding (9:58)

How long should spoon feeding purees last? (14:04)

In the Season 3 finale, I’m sharing another clip from my most recent coaching call with one of my course grads. I had the pleasure of speaking with Megan about her 1 year old son, and let me tell you, her question is a common one!

Many parents message me concerned about their child’s portion sizes – I hear worries from both ends of the spectrum…either they’re eating seemingly so little, or so much the meal feels never-ending. In Megan’s case, her son is eating for at least 40-45 minutes per meal, with no end in sight – and let’s be real here – no one has time for that 3 times a day! Megan’s biggest concern is honouring her son’s hunger and fullness cues, while still keeping mealtimes to a reasonable time frame. So, how do you strike that balance? Listen in to find out my recommendation!

If you get value from this episode, please remember to subscribe, rate, and review it at Apple Podcasts. And since this episode is answering such a common concern among parents, please share it with your friends so they can test out my recommendation as well!

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

Megan’s struggle with balancing portions and the length of mealtimes (6:21)

Why your baby may be eating for 40-45 minutes (8:31)

My recommendation (10:16)

In this episode, I talk to Emily, a grad of my online courses, about how to bump up the number of foods that her son Elliot eats. He’s always been a little bit of a picky eater, but recently it’s gotten worse and he’s now only eating about 4 foods! Don’t worry though, even though he’s only eating a few bites at each meal, his growth has been normal and he weighs about the same as his twin brother. 

Listen in while I go through a mini assessment of what foods Elliot likes, and his eating habits. I find out that his favourite foods seem to be softer, sweeter, carbohydrates. So, we walk through a couple examples of food chaining to try with foods Emily knows that Elliot will eat. Then, I give her ONE MORE strategy to try to target and overcome his picky eating ways.

I hope this episode is helpful and that you can use these tips to improve your mealtimes with your picky eater. Please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram, @mylittleeater, with any questions you have about your little one, and if you have a minute, you can leave me a review at Apple Podcasts. I would really appreciate it and it helps get this podcast out to other parents like you that need help feeding their toddlers too! And while you’re there, please subscribe to get notified when new episodes come out.

To get the foundational information you need to confidently feed your toddler, manage picky eating, and raise a healthy, adventurous eater, sign up for my Feeding Toddlers Course. You’ll be getting a step-by-step plan on how to feed your toddler, along with all the nutritional info you need to feed them healthily too!

FEEDING TODDLERS COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

MORE ON SAFE FOODS: https://mylittleeater.com/22-safe-foods-for-picky-toddlers/

MORE ON FOOD CHAINING: https://mylittleeater.com/64-food-chaining/

Mini-assessment of Elliot’s eating habits (6:05) 

Food chaining (14:50)

Serving a slightly less preferred food as the safe food (19:50)

In this quick tip episode from my “How to serve…” series, I’m teaching you all about lentils! These are an amazing option for babies and toddlers – they’re versatile, so can be added to many, many recipes, they’re nutritious, and they’re an easy texture for babies just beginning solids. I know they may not be something that many people think of adding to their regular meal rotation, but I’m here to convince you to give them a try!

So, I’ll be giving you everything you need to know about serving lentils to your baby and toddler. Including why they’re so nutritious, how to prepare them, what phase of my signature Texture Timeline™ they’re part of, and ideas on tasty ways to offer them to your baby. 

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 valuable tips on what to feed your baby who’s just starting solids, please share it with your friends who also have babies at this stage!

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!

BABY LED FEEDING COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/baby-led-feeding/

Why you should include lentils in your baby’s diet (1:31)

Why lentils are Phase 2 of my Texture Timeline™ (7:13)

Ideas for how to serve lentils to 6 month olds, and up (9:40)

In this episode, I’m talking about what to do when your toddler won’t feed themselves. Sometimes your toddler hasn’t been given a chance to feed themselves because maybe you thought they weren’t taking in enough nutrients on their own, or they were sick and you needed to give them some extra help until they recovered. The fact is, now they’ve come to expect you to feed them, and they aren’t interested in doing it themselves. So regardless of why it happened in the first place, we need to break the cycle and get your toddler to feed themselves soon!

I’m sharing 6 great tips that can help you progress from you feeding your toddler…to them feeding themselves! Pick one or two tips to try first, and remember to be consistent. Be gentle with yourself, and with your toddler. It’s probably going to take some time, but with consistency, your child will develop the desire to feed themselves on their own.

If you get any value from this episode, please leave me a review 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 toddlers too! Also, please subscribe to get notified when new episodes come out.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to confidently feed your toddler, manage picky eating, and raise a healthy, adventurous eater, then my Feeding Toddlers Course is for you. Sign up today for a step-by-step plan on how to feed your toddler.

FEEDING TODDLERS COURSE: https://mylittleeater.com/feeding-toddlers/

Get out of that mealtime rut! Download this free 7-day meal plan for easy to make, healthy, completely balanced, dietitian approved meals designed for your toddler.

FREE 7 DAY TODDLER MEAL PLAN: https://courses.mylittleeater.com/7-day-toddler-meal-plan

Tip #1: Communicate with your child (9:07)

Tip #2: Give them familiar foods (13:51)

Tip #3: Try self-feeding at one meal per day (15:20)

Tip #4: Have your child feed a stuffy or doll (17:07)

Tip #5: Take your time when feeding them (18:05)

Tip #6: Hand-under-hand method (20:20)