The Airplane Spoon Podcast: Real questions and Real stories about Feeding Children

12: Does the way I talk about food actually matter?

Most parents spend a lot of time thinking about what to put on their child's plate. But what about what we say about the food once it gets there? In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down how the language we use around food — the names we give it, the words we use to describe it, and the emotions we attach to it — shapes how children feel about eating in ways that go far deeper than we realize. In this episode: * Why naming food specifically matters — and why "Costco nuggets" and "McDonald's nuggets" are not the same thing to your child * Why hiding vegetables in food often backfires — and what to do instead * How to introduce cultural foods and unfamiliar food names in a way that feels approachable, not scary * Why "good food" and "bad food" labels carry more weight than we intend * The truth about "just one more bite" and why it can work against us * Why using dessert as a reward can actually increase kids' obsession with sweets * How commenting on how much (or how little) a child eats can get in the way of them learning to listen to their own body Small shifts in the way we talk about food can make a real difference in how children feel at the table — and this episode is full of practical, easy changes you can start making today.

11: What's the difference between Gagging and Choking?

One of the most common — and most important — questions parents have about feeding their children is: is my child gagging or choking? In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down the difference between these two very different responses, what they look like, and what you should (and shouldn't) do in each moment. In this episode you'll learn: * Why gagging is a normal, protective reflex — and why you don't need to intervene * What choking actually looks like and why it's often quieter than you'd expect * The memorable phrases "loud and red, let them go ahead" and "quiet and blue, they need help from you" — and an important note about why skin tone matters when using these cues * Why some children gag more than others, including children with a history of medical trauma, NICU stays, or feeding/breathing tubes * How sensory processing differences and neurodiversity (like autism) can create a heightened gag response — even without food in the mouth * When to call 911, when to use back blows, and why CPR training matters Resources mentioned: * Consider taking a pediatric first aid/CPR course * Work with a feeding specialist to gradually desensitize a hypersensitive gag reflex

10: What should I know about bottle feeding my baby?

Bottle feeding looks simple — but there's a lot more to it than most parents are ever told. In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down everything she wishes every family knew about bottle feeding from the start: why nipple flow matters more than most people realize, a technique called paced feeding that can make a real difference for fussy or reflux-y babies, and what to do when your baby starts refusing the bottle. In this episode: * Parent products vs. child products — a helpful framework for choosing feeding gear * Bottle and nipple types: what actually matters (and what doesn't) * Why you don't need to move up in nipple flow — and why faster flow often makes things worse * The link between fast feeds, overfeeding, and reflux * The difference between bottle refusal and bottle aversion — and practical tips for both * When to reach out to a feeding therapist * Whether you're exclusively bottle feeding, combo feeding, or just introducing a bottle for the first time — this episode is for you.

9: What type of cup should my child be using?

Walk into any baby store and the cup aisle alone can feel completely overwhelming. Sippy cups, straw cups, open cups, valved cups, 360 cups — how are parents supposed to know what's actually best? In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down the most common cup types, explains what's actually happening inside your child's mouth with each one, and gives practical, age-by-age guidance to help you choose with confidence. In this episode: * Why the cup your child uses matters for oral motor development — not just spill prevention * Sippy cups: the difference between hard and soft spouts, and why all-day sipping is worth reconsidering * Open cups: why they're the gold standard, when to start, and how to make it less messy * Straw cups: how to know if your child is using a straw correctly * Age-by-age cup recommendations from 6 months through preschool Whether your child is just starting solids or has been using the same cup for years, this episode will help you understand what to look for — and what to let go of.

8: What does my child's growth chart even mean?

Every well-child visit starts the same way — your child gets measured, a dot gets plotted, and suddenly you're staring at a percentile number wondering if you should be worried. In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down what growth charts actually measure, how they were built, and — just as importantly — what they can't tell us about how your child is really doing with food. In this episode: * What a percentile number actually means (hint: higher is not better) * The difference between the CDC and WHO growth charts — and why it matters * Why breastfed babies and children from certain ethnic backgrounds often track lower on US charts * What a percentile drop really means, and when it's worth paying attention to * Why a "normal" growth chart doesn't always mean feeding is going well * Questions to bring to your next pediatrician visit Growth charts are a valuable tool — but they're just one piece of the picture. This episode will help you understand the full story.