Nutrition for the Early Years

EP 28: 7 Mistakes NOT to Make in Feeding Your Toddler

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595160/fan_mail/new] What if the nutrition choices you worry about most are not the ones that matter most? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares seven common feeding mistakes parents make during the baby and toddler years. With warmth and honesty, she explains why multivitamins are not always the answer for picky eaters, how kid-friendly leftovers can add to parent guilt, and why oral care should start as soon as teeth come in. She also talks about juice, flavored drinks, salt fears, food labels, and the need for parents to care for their own health too. This episode gives parents simple, guilt-free guidance to focus on what truly helps kids grow strong and build healthy habits from the start. What You’ll Learn: * Why food matters more than most supplements * How to reduce guilt around leftovers * When to start brushing your baby’s teeth * Why juice does not need to be a daily habit * How to focus on the big picture instead of stressing over every label detail * Why caring for your own health is one of the best ways to support your child’s nutrition Episode highlights: (2:44) Mistake 1: Relying on multivitamins for picky eaters (4:52) Mistake 2: Letting food waste and leftovers create guilt (9:23) Mistake 3: Skipping early oral hygiene (11:10) Mistake 4: Offering juice and flavored drinks too often (12:26) Mistake 5: Worrying too much about salt in home cooking (16:12) Mistake 6: Focusing too much on tiny label details (19:19) Mistake 7: Forgetting parent health matters too (21:04) Final encouragement for raising a healthier next generation NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link [https://new-story-nutrition.teachable.com/p/read-the-pattern-feeding-0-4-months]!

EP 27: Top 5 Foods for Your 1-Year-Old

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595160/fan_mail/new] Could a few simple foods help close common nutrition gaps in your one-year-old’s diet? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels shares the five foods she wishes every family knew about as babies grow from breast milk or formula into toddlerhood. She explains why the first 1,000 days matter so much for brain growth, immune support, and long-term development, while reminding parents that perfection is not the goal. You’ll learn why fatty fish, seeds, eggs, beans, and whole milk can make a big difference, especially for nutrients like iron, DHA, vitamin E, choline, fiber, and vitamin D. With practical, budget-friendly tips, this episode helps parents feel more confident feeding their toddler well, one small step at a time. What You’ll Learn: * Why nutrition gaps can happen as babies become toddlers * Why the first 1,000 days are so important for brain growth * Which nutrients do one-year-olds often need more of * The top five foods Dr. Liz recommends for one-year-olds * Simple ways to add these foods without pressure or perfection Episode highlights: (0:00) Why nutrition gaps can happen around age one (1:19) Why variety matters in toddler nutrition (2:00) The first 1,000 days and brain development  (5:00) Key nutrients: iron, DHA, vitamin E, choline, and vitamin D (10:21) Food #1: Fatty fish for iron, DHA, and vitamin D (13:49) Food #2: Seeds for omega-3s and vitamin E (18:23) Food #3: Eggs for choline and brain support (21:24) Food #4: Beans for fiber, choline, and iron (22:45) Food #5: Whole milk for vitamin D and calcium (25:36) How to serve these foods without pressure or perfection NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link [https://new-story-nutrition.teachable.com/p/read-the-pattern-feeding-0-4-months]!

EP 26: Added Sugar: The Conversation Every Parent Needs to Have

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595160/fan_mail/new] Is added sugar really the problem, or is it the way it quietly shows up in everyday kid foods? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares clear, caring guidance for parents who want to understand added sugar without fear or shame. She explains why babies under two do not need added sugar, how sugar can affect teeth, gut health, appetite, and long-term health, and why the weekly donut date may not be the biggest concern. You’ll hear where added sugar often hides, including flavored yogurt, drinks, cereal bars, pouches, applesauce, and snacks. Dr. Liz also shares simple ways to talk with kids about sweets, special treats, and food choices that help their bodies grow and feel good. Dr. Liz Daniels is a nutrition-focused pediatrician and host of Nutrition for the Early Years. She helps parents feel more confident feeding their babies and kids without shame, guilt, or fear. What You’ll Learn: * Why is added sugar not recommended under age two * How added sugar can affect teeth and cavities * Why sugary drinks can be especially hard on little mouths * How added sugar may shift gut health and appetite * Where added sugar hides in common kid foods * How to think about treats without labeling foods as “good” or “bad” * Simple swaps that can lower added sugar without stress * How to talk with kids about food in a calm, helpful way Episode highlights: (1:04) Why added sugar can feel like a tricky parenting topic (1:36) The weekly donut date question from a parent (2:42) Added sugar guidelines for babies and toddlers (4:34) Sugar, cavities, and oral health (5:58) How added sugar can affect gut health (7:11) Early sugar habits and possible long-term protection (8:17) Long-term health risks linked to early sugar patterns (9:40) Why the full diet matters more than one treat (14:04) Sugary drinks and hidden added sugar (15:18) Flavored yogurt as a common source of added sugar (16:24) Bars, snacks, pouches, and “veggie” labels (19:21) Honey, maple syrup, and other natural added sugars (20:31) How to talk to kids about sugar without shame (21:49) Simple swaps for yogurt, drinks, and snacks (23:31) How much added sugar older toddlers may be getting (26:03) Portion size ideas for special treats (30:22) Talking with school-age kids about sweets and peer foods (35:00) Why food language matters as much as sugar amount (36:05) One simple first step for reducing added sugar NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link [https://new-story-nutrition.teachable.com/p/read-the-pattern-feeding-0-4-months]!

EP 25: The “Are They Getting Enough?” Spiral: Newborn Feeding, Weight Checks, and When to Get Support

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595160/fan_mail/new] Is your newborn getting enough milk, or are you stuck watching every feed, diaper, and sleepy stretch with worry? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares clear, caring guidance for parents in the first days and weeks of newborn feeding. She explains why advice can change from day to day, what normal newborn weight loss looks like, when milk usually comes in, and why very sleepy babies may need extra support. You’ll hear how jaundice, latch, wet diapers, poop, weight checks, and supplementation all fit together. Dr. Liz also talks about triple feeding, why it should have an exit plan, and how breastfeeding, formula, or combo feeding can all support a growing baby. Dr. Liz Daniels is a nutrition-focused pediatrician and host of Nutrition for the Early Years. She helps parents feel more confident feeding their babies and kids without shame, guilt, or fear. What You’ll Learn: * Why one feeding does not tell the whole story * What newborn weight loss can look like in the first week * How to know if milk is coming in * Why jaundice and sleepiness can affect feeding * When supplementation or lactation support may help * How to think about triple feeding without burning out * Why your feeding goal can still change with love and care Episode highlights: (2:47) Why newborn feeding advice changes day by day (4:55) Normal newborn weight loss and early growth patterns (6:18) Jaundice, sleepiness, and feeding concerns (7:00) How to know if milk is coming in (9:51) When supplementation may help protect feeding and growth (11:33) Weight trends, follow-up visits, and lactation support (13:02) Wet diapers, poop, and what output really means (15:52) Triple feeding and why it should not be a forever plan (18:30) Setting your personal feeding goal (20:00) Stories of breastfeeding, combo feeding, and letting go of guilt (26:34) How to feel more grounded when feeding feels uncertain NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link [https://new-story-nutrition.teachable.com/p/read-the-pattern-feeding-0-4-months]!

EP 24: Why Feeding Skills Matter with Solid Starts

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595160/fan_mail/new] What if the perfect baby food plate is not what your baby needs most? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels talks with Kim Grenawitzke and Kary Rappaport from Solid Starts about introducing solids to baby with less fear and more confidence. They answer common parent questions like “when to start solid foods for baby,” “when should babies start eating solids?” and “when can babies eat baby food?” You’ll hear what is baby led weaning, why chewing skills matter, how gagging can be part of learning, and how to think about baby allergic reaction concerns. They also discuss feeding schedules, how a baby feeding chart can help without adding pressure, and why early exposure to flavor and texture can support more confident eating as babies grow. Kim Grenawitzke is a pediatric occupational therapist with specialty certification in feeding, eating, and swallowing; an international board-certified lactation consultant; and certified neonatal therapist. For more than 15 years, she has worked in both home settings and pediatric acute care, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford with speciality practice in neonatal cardiac feeding rehabilitation and breastfeeding high risk infants. Kim earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California and is the mom to two young girls. What You’ll Learn: * Why chewing skills are built through practice, not perfection * How gagging can help protect babies as they learn to eat * Why the 6 to 9 month window matters for flavors and textures * How to support picky toddlers with calm limits * When feeding struggles may need extra support Episode highlights: (1:03) Meet Kim Grenawitzke and Kary Rappaport from Solid Starts (10:07) How real food helped babies in clinical care (18:29) Oral motor milestones and chewing reflexes (27:22) Flavor exposure during the 6 to 9 month window (34:32) Gagging, choking fears, and safe practice (43:21) How often babies need meals and practice (50:52) Toddler picky eating, hunger, and boundaries (59:20) Red flags that may need feeding support (1:05:49) Confidence, anxiety, and Solid Starts resources For an amazing gift from Solid Starts, head over to http://link.solidstarts.com/BaYvFF for 25% off an annual app subscription.  Coupon is NEWSTORY25 - use the promo code on the website for the app! Learn more about Solid Starts: solidstarts.com @solidstarts hello@solidstarts.com https://solidstarts.com/authors/kim-grenawitzke/ https://solidstarts.com/authors/kary-rappaport/  NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — because a healthy relationship with food starts earlier than most people think. Course Link [https://new-story-nutrition.teachable.com/p/read-the-pattern-feeding-0-4-months]!