November 1-5, 2018 – Orlando – American Academy of Pediatrics Book Signings

Seminars & Events

November 1-5, 2018 – Orlando – American Academy of Pediatrics Book Signings

Jun 2

If you’re confused about how to help children with ARFID, you’re not alone. 💛
After specializing in helping kids with ARFID for over ten years, I’ve found that many feeding professionals are missing 3 critical pieces - because they don’t teach you this in graduate school…
1️⃣ Understanding the role anxiety plays in food avoidance.
2️⃣ Knowing how to gently nudge a child forward. Kids with ARFID are not being defiant. They’re stuck. And helping them move forward requires a very different approach.
3️⃣ Understanding the complexities of parenting a child with ARFID. These are often wonderful parents raising wonderful kids. The change in a child’s eating often begins when we help caregivers understand how anxiety, accommodations, and feeding interactions influence progress.
ARFID is complex. But it becomes much less confusing when you understand the “why” behind the behavior.

🧐If you’re ready to bring more clarity, confidence, and compassion to your work with children and families, join me for my FINAL 2026 live (virtual) ARFID Masterclass of the year on August 9.
🧠 4 hours of focused learning
💻 Live and interactive
🎓 ASHA CEUs available, certificates for all professionals
🎤 Limited enrollment – small class size for the best learning experience!

Just a few seats remain.
Comment ARFID and I’ll send you the details.

❤️Melanie
✨ Thank you for following me for weekly feeding guidance grounded in 25+ years of feeding therapy, helping parents and therapists help kids find joy in food. ...

34 49

mymunchbug_melaniepotock

View

Jun 1

Open

Parents of picky eaters, this is one of the most helpful nutrition facts I’ve learned from an RDN 20 years ago...

When we think about constipation, we often hear, “Just give more fiber.”

But kids actually benefit from two different types of fiber:

✅ Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps support movement through the digestive tract.

✅ Soluble fiber absorbs water and helps soften the stool.

The good news? Most foods contain a mix of both types of fiber, which is one reason I’m always encouraging families to offer a variety of foods.

Here are a few easy ways to boost fiber intake:

🥄 Stir chia seeds into yogurt, oatmeal, or applesauce

🫘 Mash black beans into soups, dips, quesadillas, or taco meat

🥣 Use ground oats for muffins, pancakes, or meatballs

🌱 Blend flaxseed or chia seeds into smoothies (not both)

🍓 Continue offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds when developmentally appropriate

💩Remember, constipation isn’t always solved by adding one “magic” food. Variety matters because different foods provide different nutrients, textures, and types of fiber that help support healthy digestion.

Learning to eat a wide variety of foods can support gut health for years to come.

✨ Thank you for following me for weekly feeding guidance grounded in 25+ years of feeding therapy, helping parents and therapists help kids find joy in food.

🥰Melanie

Melaniepotock / fiber for kids / toddler constipation / soluble fiber / insoluble fiber / picky eater tips / toddler nutrition / healthy digestion / gut health for kids / feeding development / vegetables for toddlers / constipation relief for kids ...

34 18

mymunchbug_melaniepotock

View

Jun 1

Open

Kids who listen well at mealtimes often have parents who consistently do these three things:

✅ Get physically close before giving an instruction
Instead of calling across the room, move closer, make eye contact, and connect before you speak. If your at the table with them, even better.
✅ Give fewer instructions & allow a good 5 seconds before expecting a response.
Many children need a few extra moments to process what you’ve said before they can act on it.
✅ Follow through calmly, regardless of their response
Whether your child cooperates immediately, protests, or needs support, staying calm helps them learn what to expect.

😳Parents are often surprised when I make suggestions like this in feeding therapy. WHY would I? Because feeding your kid is about communication and connection. That’s how all good things come about.❤️

When mealtimes become a constant stream of directions, reminders, and negotiations, children often tune us out. But when we slow down, connect first, and stay consistent, kids are more likely to hear us.

Did this surprise you? Save this for your next challenging meal & share it with another parent who needs encouragement today.

🥰 Melanie
picky eating / picky eater tips / toddler behavior / mealtime struggles / parenting tips / feeding therapy / responsive feeding / family meals / child development / toddler meals ...

21 10

Follow Melanie on Instagram