September 2017 | Melanie Potock

Feeding Babies, Feeding Toddlers to School Age, Parenting a Picky Eater

Why You May Want to Skip the Sippy Cup for Your Baby

By Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP Are sippy cups really the best cup to introduce after (or alongside) breast or bottle? Experts suggest a straw or open cup instead, and here’s...

September 27, 2017
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Feeding Babies

7 Success Strategies for Safe Baby-Led Weaning

By Jenna Helwig To raise an adventurous eater, many moms swear by letting a baby feed himself. Whether you want to try this method, called baby-led weaning, a little or...

September 26, 2017
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Parenting a Picky Eater

How To Deal With Picky Eaters

By Katherine Martinelli HAVE A PICKY EATER ON YOUR HANDS? YOU’RE NOT ALONE. HERE’S WHY TODDLERS ARE OFTEN SO SELECTIVE ABOUT THEIR FOOD—AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. There are...

September 21, 2017
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Feeding Babies

When Do Babies Hold Their Own Bottle?

By Lambeth Hochwald Feeding baby her bottle is a wonderful bonding experience. But let’s be honest, it would be nice to have your hands free at some point. While it’s ultimately...

September 14, 2017
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Challenges at School, Parenting a Picky Eater

Snacktastic Tips for Back-to-School: Keeping Foods Fun, Fresh, Healthy and Interesting

As summer reaches its close, anyone else find a little back-to-school anxiety triggered by the contents of the fridge? Kids aren’t the only ones who may have to work at...

September 2, 2017
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mymunchbug_melaniepotock

Jun 1

Often, we hear snacks referred to as “mini-meals” but they aren’t always the same. 👉🏼In terms of quality,
the ideal snack is nutritious, right? But, sometimes a handful of fish crackers will just have to do, on occasion. 👉🏼In terms of quantity, for kids ages 2 & up, a typical snack is enough to hold in their hand, and there are no second servings.
.
🤷🏼‍♀️Why? Because kids can have more at meals until they feel satisfied. That small snack between meals is just enough fuel to ensure they don’t get hangry & arrive at the mealtime table hungry.
.
🤷🏼‍♀️What about the idea that kids can have mini-meals throughout the day? Yes, that’s an option. In fact, it
may be essential for some kids with medical &/or metabolic issues.

👍🏻Pros: Each snack opportunity, when seen as a meal, is more likely to be balanced & nutritious. Mealtimes come with a different mindset, but keep in mind a small snack can be nutritious too!
.
👎🏻Cons: When parents feel the need to feed mini-meals, it can be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s nice just to hand a kid a package of pretzels & a glass of milk & give yourself a break!
.
👍🏻Pros: Very active kids may do best with frequent mini-meals. I personally prefer to eat that way, but I
also eat very slowly, so my smaller portions seem to get consumed at about the same rate as my husband’s larger portions. It all seems to work out.
.
👎🏻Cons: As toddlers are learning mealtime routines, they don’t always have the hunger or the patience to
attend to 3 mealtimes if they are used to mini-meals. This can be hard to juggle when the rest of the
family is trying to enjoy a meal together.
.
♥️If you’re following a mealtime schedule (free download on my website - see FREE TOOLBOX tab!) with 2 to 3 snacks per day or you prefer 5 to 6 mini-meals, just choose a wide variety of foods throughout the day. That’s they key. And remember, the most important word in family mealtimes is FAMILY. Focus on that. 😉 #melaniepotock

Thank you to #theclinicdietitian for her input on the medical conditions that require frequent mini-meals.

Often, we hear snacks referred to as “mini-meals” but they aren’t always the same. 👉🏼In terms of quality,
the ideal snack is nutritious, right? But, sometimes a handful of fish crackers will just have to do, on occasion. 👉🏼In terms of quantity, for kids ages 2 & up, a typical snack is enough to hold in their hand, and there are no second servings.
.
🤷🏼‍♀️Why? Because kids can have more at meals until they feel satisfied. That small snack between meals is just enough fuel to ensure they don’t get hangry & arrive at the mealtime table hungry.
.
🤷🏼‍♀️What about the idea that kids can have mini-meals throughout the day? Yes, that’s an option. In fact, it
may be essential for some kids with medical &/or metabolic issues.

👍🏻Pros: Each snack opportunity, when seen as a meal, is more likely to be balanced & nutritious. Mealtimes come with a different mindset, but keep in mind a small snack can be nutritious too!
.
👎🏻Cons: When parents feel the need to feed mini-meals, it can be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s nice just to hand a kid a package of pretzels & a glass of milk & give yourself a break!
.
👍🏻Pros: Very active kids may do best with frequent mini-meals. I personally prefer to eat that way, but I
also eat very slowly, so my smaller portions seem to get consumed at about the same rate as my husband’s larger portions. It all seems to work out.
.
👎🏻Cons: As toddlers are learning mealtime routines, they don’t always have the hunger or the patience to
attend to 3 mealtimes if they are used to mini-meals. This can be hard to juggle when the rest of the
family is trying to enjoy a meal together.
.
♥️If you’re following a mealtime schedule (free download on my website - see FREE TOOLBOX tab!) with 2 to 3 snacks per day or you prefer 5 to 6 mini-meals, just choose a wide variety of foods throughout the day. That’s they key. And remember, the most important word in family mealtimes is FAMILY. Focus on that. 😉 #melaniepotock

Thank you to #theclinicdietitian for her input on the medical conditions that require frequent mini-meals. ...

mymunchbug_melaniepotock

May 31

So, you’ve introduced the open cup but your toddler has discovered GRAVITY.

😳Happens to the best of us – it’s going to be ok!
.
💦Grab some paper towels and follow my 3 C’s.
.
🧘‍♀️ Stay calm.
Respond in a concise manner – just state the facts. Screenshot the graphic so you remember exactly how to handle this one!
.
👉🏼Parent consistently and get all the adults on board too! Consistency is key when it comes to establishing positive behaviors in kids.
.
💜Most of all – remember to join in on the fun when it is an appropriate time and place, like bathtime! Kids just want attention and that’s the time to reinforce their delight in pouring, splashing & discovering
all the fun things that we can do with cups!
.
👉🏼But when we are not in the bath, cups are for drinking. 😊 #melaniepotock

So, you’ve introduced the open cup but your toddler has discovered GRAVITY.

😳Happens to the best of us – it’s going to be ok!
.
💦Grab some paper towels and follow my 3 C’s.
.
🧘‍♀️ Stay calm.
Respond in a concise manner – just state the facts. Screenshot the graphic so you remember exactly how to handle this one!
.
👉🏼Parent consistently and get all the adults on board too! Consistency is key when it comes to establishing positive behaviors in kids.
.
💜Most of all – remember to join in on the fun when it is an appropriate time and place, like bathtime! Kids just want attention and that’s the time to reinforce their delight in pouring, splashing & discovering
all the fun things that we can do with cups!
.
👉🏼But when we are not in the bath, cups are for drinking. 😊 #melaniepotock ...

mymunchbug_melaniepotock

May 30

🤦🏼‍♀️Got a picky eater who will only eat one brand of chicken nugget and GOD FORBID they change the packaging?

🤦🏼‍♀️Got a kid who will only eat at one brand of fast-food restaurant and a fry is NOT a fry at any other drive-thru?

👉🏼When kids are brand-specific, they stick to FAMILIAR. They aren’t comfortable with change, especially when it comes to their food.

✨What to do about it? Start small. Include one small piece of the same food (different brand) on the child’s plate, along with the preferred food. Start with just visual acceptance – eating comes later.

❌Please don’t…
1. Put a new brand in the familiar brand’s container. It won’t solve a thing and it only breaks down trust.

2. Try to reason with your child. It just creates an adversarial environment.

🥰Try…

1. Encouraging your child to help prepare the new brand of a favorite food. Get them involved and keep the atmosphere light and happy.

2. Away from mealtimes, encourage your child to explore the new brand…cut it up with fun food cutters or child-safe scissors and really get to know it. Make it familiar over time.

✨Be consistent. When your child is tolerating the presence of the new brand, you can begin to serve a

few pieces of just that brand and not the other. Be sure there is still something else for them to eat on

the plate too.

❤️Parent patiently – this one takes time! TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS - I want to know - what’s your biggest frustration about always needing one brand of a favorite food?

❤️Learn more baby, toddler & big kid tips about food and by following @mymunchbug_melaniepotock
#melaniepotock

#pickyeater #pickyeaters #pickypicky #parentingtoddlers #toddlertrouble #feedinglittles #feedingkids #ashaigers #slpmom #pediatricfeedingdisorders #pediatricot #slpeeps #feedingtherapy #feedingtherapist ...

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