December 2020 | Melanie Potock

Feeding Babies, Parenting a Picky Eater

3 Ways to Explain Baby-Led Feeding to Your Extended Family

By Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP Whether it’s a holiday dinner, a virtual family brunch or an outdoor family picnic, well-meaning relatives may be shocked to see you offering anything but...

December 30, 2020
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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.
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🤷🏼‍♀️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.
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🤷🏼‍♀️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!
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👎🏻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!
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👍🏻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.
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👎🏻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.
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♥️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. ...

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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!
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💦Grab some paper towels and follow my 3 C’s.
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🧘‍♀️ Stay calm.
Respond in a concise manner – just state the facts. Screenshot the graphic so you remember exactly how to handle this one!
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👉🏼Parent consistently and get all the adults on board too! Consistency is key when it comes to establishing positive behaviors in kids.
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💜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!
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👉🏼But when we are not in the bath, cups are for drinking. 😊 #melaniepotock ...

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🤦🏼‍♀️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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Monthly Archives: December 2020

3 Ways to Explain Baby-Led Feeding to Your Extended Family