Love Eat Thrive

You keep offering new foods… and your child keeps refusing them. So is it just about more exposure? Is there a better way?
 
We know there’s a lot around us about exposing kids to new foods and what that means. While that’s important, “exposure” can sometimes feel like something happening to your child instead of with them.
 
Feeding is a relationship. It’s back-and-forth, not one-sided. When the goal becomes “just take a bite,” kids often feel pressure, even if we don’t mean it that way. That pressure can lead to more refusal, or kids eating just to please you… not because they’re actually interested.
Instead of trying to get your child to eat something, focus on creating opportunities to engage.
 
That might look like:

Seeing a food on the plate 

Touching or playing with it 

Smelling it… or eventually tasting it 

An opportunity isn’t about eating necessarily. It’s about experiencing.
 
When kids feel involved instead of pressured:

They build autonomy (“I get to decide”) 

They stay curious about food 

Mealtimes feel more connected and relaxed 
 

And over time, this supports something big: their ability to self-regulate, to listen to their own body and develop a healthy relationship with food.
 
You don’t have to offer new foods constantly. Small, consistent opportunities at home, at the store, on weekends are enough. Pair new foods with familiar ones, and let learning happen over time. When you shift from exposure to opportunity, you’re not forcing the outcome. Think about it instead as you’re creating the space for it. That’s where kids start to explore, learn, and eventually try new foods… on their own terms.
 
** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** 

 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

Most parents share the same goal: raising a child who’s healthy and has a positive relationship with food. But in the day-to-day of meals, it can start to feel like it’s all about bites, battles, and what’s on the plate.
 
It’s easy to focus on the food itself. Things like what they’re eating and how much. What truly shapes your child’s relationship with food long-term is often how feeding feels, not just what’s served. Your child is always watching, even when you’re not talking directly to them. The way you speak about food, your body, and eating in general matters more than we often realize. Keeping things neutral and avoiding diet talk or negative body comments helps create a safe, positive environment. And if that feels hard, getting support for yourself is part of supporting your child too.
 
At the same time, kids are naturally good at listening to their hunger and fullness if we give them the chance. When we reduce pressure and step back a bit, we allow them to build that internal awareness.
A few ways to support that:

Avoid pressure like “just one more bite” 

Skip rewards or punishments tied to eating 

Trust that intake balances out over time, not just in one meal 

Keep a predictable structure with meals and snacks 

Rather than controlling what or how much your child eats, think about creating space. You provide the food and the opportunity, and your child decides what and how much to eat. That sense of autonomy helps them stay open and flexible with food over time.
 
This also goes beyond the plate. The messages your child hears about bodies and identity matter.

Focus on what their body can do 

Celebrate who they are, not how they look 

Build trust in their body, not control over it 

And through all of this, enjoyment matters more than we think. Mealtimes don’t have to be perfect.

Connection, comfort, and ease go a long way 

It’s okay if meals look different! Enjoy eating at the table, at the park, or on the couch 

Positive experiences now help build variety and confidence later 

Feeding your child isn’t just about today’s meal. It’s about building trust, confidence, and a relationship with food that lasts. When you focus on connection, autonomy, and enjoyment, the rest can follow.
 
** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** 

 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

One day your child eats everything… and the next, they’re refusing foods they used to love. It can feel sudden, confusing, and honestly a little alarming. So what’s actually going on? Jeni and Heidi are here this week to explain and provide some tips and tricks!  

 

Picky eating in toddlers is incredibly common, and for most kids, it’s a normal part of development. What can feel like a personality shift (“my child is a picky eater”) is often more about where they are than who they are. 

Between about 18–30 months, many children: 

Start rejecting familiar foods 

Show strong preferences 

Seem less adventurous than they were as babies 

And while that can feel frustrating, there are some very real reasons behind it. 

 

This is happening because toddlers are in a phase of rapid change physically, emotionally, and developmentally. 

Autonomy: They’re learning they have opinions and control (“I can say no!”) 

Neophobia: A natural caution around new or unfamiliar foods 

Slower growth: Appetite decreases compared to infancy 

Busy brains: They’re focused on exploring the world, not sitting still to eat 

Put it all together, and it’s the perfect setup for selective eating. 

 

When kids start refusing foods, it’s natural to want to fix it. But some strategies can actually make picky eating stick around longer: 

Pressure: Even gentle “just try it” can backfire over time 

Rewards: Can shift eating to external motivation instead of internal cues 

Over-relying on favorite foods: Can lead to burnout and less variety overall 

A helpful gut check: Is my goal just to get the food into their mouth right now? If yes, it might be worth rethinking the approach. 

 

Instead of focusing on how much your child eats, shift toward the experience: 

Keep offering a variety of foods without forcing 

Change things up (different shapes, plates, or settings) 

Eat together when you can! Kids learn by watching you 

Balance structure and autonomy: 

You decide what and when 

They decide if and how much 

And remember: many toddlers lean into carbs like pasta, crackers, and rice for a reason. Their bodies and brains need that energy. 

 

For many kids, variety slowly increases again around school age as: 

Social influences grow 

Exposure increases 

Pressure decreases 

Trying to rush this process can backfire. It’s important to remember that progress tends to come more naturally over time. Sometimes that doesn’t happen as quickly or naturally as you’d hope and that’s okay too. Consider reaching out if: 

Growth or nutrition is a concern 

Mealtimes feel consistently stressful or combative 

Your gut is telling you something isn’t right 

The right support should help you focus on the big picture, not just what your child eats today, but how they relate to food long-term. 

 
If your toddler is suddenly picky, you’re not alone and it doesn’t mean something is wrong. This phase is messy, normal, and full of learning. Stay steady, stay flexible, and know that with time and the right approach, things can shift again. 

 

** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** 

 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

Starting solids is an exciting milestone, but with so much advice online and from others, it can quickly feel overwhelming. In this episode, Jeni and Heidi simplify the process so you can feel confident following your baby’s cues and finding an approach that works for your family. 

 

Before focusing on what foods to offer, it’s important to feel prepared for safe feeding. Many parents find it helpful to take an infant CPR or first aid course so they feel confident at mealtimes. It’s also a good idea to talk with your pediatrician about when your baby may be ready to start solids and to discuss introducing common allergens. Early and consistent exposure to allergens can help reduce allergy risk for many children. 

 

Most babies begin solids around 6 months, but readiness is about development, not just age. Look for signs like: 

Sitting upright with good head and trunk control 

Reaching for food or showing interest in what others are eating 

Ability to stay seated without tipping over 

Teeth are not required for starting solids. Early feeding is largely about exploration and learning. 

 

Before the first bite of food, babies can benefit from simply being part of family meals. Sitting in a high chair at the table allows them to watch, explore, and become familiar with mealtime routines. This makes the transition to solids feel more natural. 

 

Purees, Baby-Led Weaning, or Both 

Families often hear about two main approaches to starting solids: 

 

Purees 

Smooth texture that can be easy for babies to manage 

Efficient way to introduce flavors and allergens 

Opportunity to explore spoons and messy textures 

Baby-Led Weaning 

Babies feed themselves soft, safe solid foods 

Encourages independence and sensory exploration 

Helps develop chewing and oral-motor skills 

 

Many families find a combination of both approaches works best. No matter the method, try to slow down, watch your baby’s cues, and allow them to participate rather than simply feeding “to” them. 

 

Gagging vs. Choking 

It’s common for babies to gag as they learn to eat. Gagging is usually noisy and protective, helping keep the airway safe. Choking, however, is an emergency and is often silent with difficulty breathing or color changes. Understanding the difference can help parents feel more confident during meals. 

 

Focus on Exploration, Not Perfection 

Early feeding isn’t about following a perfect plan. What matters most is: 

Safety and comfort 

Following your baby’s cues 

Offering flavor and texture variety 

Keeping mealtimes positive 

 

Starting solids isn’t a strict curriculum! it’s a learning process for both you and your baby. Stay responsive, keep safety in mind, and enjoy watching your child explore food for the first time. If it feels like it's not going well, reach out! Get some help from a responsive feeding therapist. You've got this.  

 

** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** 

 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

Ever catch yourself thinking, “My kid is never hungry!” or “My kid is always asking for food!”? You’re not alone. This week, Heidi and Jeni are talking about the relationship between hunger, appetite, and feeding our kids in a way that keeps both things in mind. 

 

When we talk about eating, it helps to understand the difference between hunger and appetite. Hunger is the body’s biological signal: “I need nutrition.” It’s physical. It’s the green light. Appetite is more complex. It includes desire, preferences, past experiences, mood, and what sounds good in the moment. If hunger is the green light, appetite is the gas pedal. Both drive eating and both vary widely from child to child. 

 

Hunger is actually an important teacher. Kids need some space between meals and snacks to feel it. Grazing all day or constantly trying to prevent hunger can make it harder for them to recognize and respond to their body’s signals. 

 

It's important to remember roles at the mealtimes: 

Parents decide what, when, and where food is offered. 

Children decide whether to eat and how much. 

 

Young children regulate their intake over time, not necessarily at every meal. Portion sizes are often much smaller than adults expect, and energy needs vary greatly by child. We hear quite a bit too that dinner is often the hardest meal and that makes sense! Kids are tired, overstimulated, and coming off a long day. Stress (es, even excitement or positive stress!) can dampen hunger cues. That’s why minimizing pressure and creating a consistent, low-stress eating environment matters. Hunger isn’t an on/off switch. It fluctuates. Life is loud. Kids are learning constantly. Appetite changes are normal. Our job isn’t to control how much they eat, it’s to provide structure, reduce stress, and trust their bodies over time. 
 

When we give kids space to feel hunger, structure to respond to it, and trust in their ability to regulate, we’re doing more than feeding them; we’re helping them build a lifelong relationship with food. 

 

** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.** 

 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com