Hunger, Appetite, and Feeding Kids

Kids and New Foods: From Exposure to Opportunity

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

Feeding Your Kids with the Future in Mind

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

Why is My Toddler Suddenly A Picky Eater?

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

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

Hunger, Appetite, and Feeding Kids

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