Blog – Feeding Littles

Salmon Noodle Casserole

You know those nights when you need something fast, filling and tasty? Bonus points if it’s high in protein, omega-3s, calcium and veggies, right! BOOM! Enter our super simple Salmon...

Keeping Kids Hydrated in the Heat (and All Year Long)

Some parts of the U.S. are just now starting to thaw from a pretty rough winter, but in Arizona we are rapidly approaching 100 degree F heat. Young children don’t...

School Lunch Cheat Sheet

Who loves packing lunches? Anyone? Just me? OK OK, I know I might be the minority here, but I actually kinda like packing lunches. Perhaps it’s the dietitian in me,...

Trader Joe’s Bruschetta Sauce

Y’all know how much we adore Trader Joe’s Bruschetta Sauce – you can literally pour it over everything! It’s blends small-chopped tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, basil and other spices...

Feeding Littles Lunches March 2018

You asked, and we’re bringing it to you! Each month (or.. you know…every so often) we hope to put some of the lunch ideas we share on our Instagram stories into a...

Feeding Littles Lunches April 2018

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Feeding Littles Lunches Summer 2018

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Yogurt Buying Guide: Unsweetened Yogurts

Confused by yogurt? You’re not alone. One of the most popular questions in our Facebook Group and on our Instagram account is “What kind of yogurt should I buy for my baby or...

Lentil Pasta Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Y’all went nuts on Instagram for our Lentil Pasta Tuna Noodle Casserole, so we’re finally posting the full recipe! This recipe is awesome because it feeds a lot of people and stores...

A Fresh Take On Boxed Mac and Cheese

Do you sometimes use boxed mac and cheese for your kids or yourself? Yes, homemade mac and cheese is great, but sometimes we need convenient options! If you’re a boxed...

How to Use Nutritional Yeast

Calling all dairy-free peeps (and even those who love dairy)! Have you tried nutritional yeast? This deactivated yeast has a nutty or cheesy flavor and is highly nutritive (hence its...

Easy Ideas for Diaper Bag Snacks

Ready, set, SNACK! We are oftentimes asked about portable snacks that don’t have to be refrigerated, and here are just some of our favorites! (We have a LOT of favorite...

How to Stress Less About Sugar

Heavily restricting kids from sugar backfires. Our job as parents is to do what’s best for our children. We research car seats, carefully pick a pediatrician and make decisions about...

How to Make the Perfect Grilled Cheese

How do we make the most PERFECT grilled cheese? The secret’s in the cooking method – use a toaster (or regular) oven, people! I don’t know if I’m just not...

One Pot Hamburger Helper Recipe

This One Pot Hamburger Helper by The Defined Dish was a massive success in my house. How massive? Well, my eldest inhaled 3 helpings of it. The best part? ONE POT, people....

Refreshing Orange Smoothie

In case you haven’t noticed, I think most recipes are just rough guidelines. I usually just dump stuff in a bowl, pan or blender and see what happens. That’s how...

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie

A quick snack for kids (and adults). We demoed this chocolatey smoothie for about 40 preschoolers and elementary school kids recently at my daughters’ school, and it was generally a...

Crockpot Pesto Bruschetta Sauce Chicken

We are big fans of Trader Joe’s Bruschetta sauce. It pairs so well with chicken in the oven, Instant Pot or slow cooker…and now you can also try it with pesto!...

Pumpkin Chili

Even if it’s still hot where you live and enjoying fall foods hasn’t quite hit yet, keep in mind that pumpkin is a crazy good source of beta carotene, which...

Halloween-Themed Smoothies

It may be October, but it’s still hot in much of the world and smoothies are A-OK year round! We love featuring these each year because they’re tasty and appropriate for...

Intuitive Eating Challenge with Candy

As Halloween approaches, so many parents get anxious about candy and sugar – check out more on this in our other posts about handling Halloween candy and stressing less about sugar! What...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have always loved to bake. I started making cookies for friends and family in high school, and along the way I discovered this super simple combo: 1 can of...

Apple Muffins Recipe

Perfect for when apples are in season. Muffins are an easy option for fast mornings, especially when paired with some protein (like a hard boiled egg) and some fruit. This...

Smoked Almond Goat Cheese Olives Appetizer

Do you have a go-to party or holiday appetizer? I love making new party snacks! This one is my favorite – it’s requested by my dad’s golf friends every time...

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Meal Ideas

Are you ready for Thanksgiving with your baby, toddler, or child? Here are different ways you *can* serve Thanksgiving dinner to kids of various ages! These ideas are by no...

Holiday Favorite: Magic Bars

Magic bars are always the favorite of the party when we make them. We gifted them to neighbors recently and I already got the “best neighbor ever” text from a few...

Creative Ways to Serve Frozen Waffles

We have so many favorite fast breakfast options, but frozen waffles are definitely top 5 lately! There are a lot of waffle brands out there, and some of our favorites...

Enjoying Chocolate When You’re Dairy-Free

Megan here, talking about our favorite food group – chocolate! My family isn’t dairy-free, but we know that many are you are for various reasons. Some people have to stop...

How to Teach your Child to Eat Soup

We are frequently asked about serving soup to babies and toddlers. Learning to eat soup may be a messy process, but with practice kids figure it out! Soup is an...

Vegetable Serving Sizes for Toddlers

Did you know that a vegetable serving size for two-year-olds is just 2 tablespoons? Yes, only 2 tablespoons! (They can always have more of course!) Parents always worry about...

Pregnancy and Postpartum Snack Ideas

One of our lovely followers asked us to put together some filling, nourishing snack ideas for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, but these snacks are also perfect adults of all ages...

Pour and Cook Slow Cooker Ideas

Our most popular recipe posts and stories on Instagram involve simple dinner ideas – including pouring sauce over chicken, setting the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) timer, and waiting for dinner to be made....

Serving PB&J in New Ways

Why is it important to serve variations on the same foods we eat frequently? It helps prevent picky eating – the more variety our kids see, the more variety they...

Allergen-Friendly Breakfast Ideas

All new breakfast series – Part 1: Allergen-free Breakfast Ideas! These ideas also happen to be all plant-based options. We want to take you through many different ways to...

Keep Food Safe at School

One big question we always get is, “How do you keep lunches cold?” (Shown here are Bentgo boxes that we love! You can find them in our Amazon shop under Lunch.) Here are some...

Calorie Boosting Strategies

Do you have a kiddo that needs a little help in the growth department? Perhaps you’re pregnant and are struggling to gain weight yourself, or maybe you’re breastfeeding and are...

Kid-Friendly Energy Bites

Homemade energy bites are my kids’ favorite snack, hands down! We have been making these for years and they’re so tasty for adults and kids alike – please make sure read...

Banana Pancakes: 4 Ways

Who loves pancakes?! This banana egg pancake recipe is a staple in our house that works well for eaters of all ages (babies included)! We love this basic banana pancake...

Free Family Meal Toolkit – Dinner Edition

How are we doing, friends? We know this can be a really challenging time for everyone, and we wanted to help in our own small way. Click on the link...

Family Meal Toolkit – Breakfast Edition

Breakfast is sometimes the most difficult meal of the day. Kids are hungry, time is short and it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. We created this free Family Meal...

Family Meal Toolkit – Lunch Edition

Do you get stuck at lunch time? Need a little easy inspiration? Our philosophy on lunch is simple – “What do you have in the fridge or the cupboards?” That,...

Our favorite supplements for babies and children

Supplements are always a hot topic with our clients. We are constantly asked what supplements we recommend for kids. Here’s our short, main message: The only supplement most babies...

Let them eat (birthday) cake…or not?

One of the most common questions in our Feeding Littles Clients Only Group on Facebook has to do with a baby’s first birthday cake: ”What kind of healthy smash cake should...

Halloween: How Dietitians Handle It

If you have signed up for our online Toddler & Kid Course (specifically the step on Desserts and Sugar), you know that our approach to Halloween candy may be a bit...

What’s with the Teal Pumpkins?

Do you have a kid with food allergies? If you’d like to include all kids – including those with food allergies or those who have medical issues that prevent them...

Share Jack’s Light 2019

Sweet Jack is the reason Feeding Littles exists. Read more about his heartbreaking story here – grab some tissues, because you’re going to need them! To celebrate Jack’s...

Bringing Meals to Families Experiencing Life Change

Sometimes one of the best ways we can love on our friends and family is by bringing them food when they’re in need. During crisis, loss, the birth of a...

How to manage uneaten food: plate waste and unfinished lunches

We like to show examples of what I (Megan) pack for school lunch on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Recently I also showed our Instagram Stories viewers what my kids’ lunchboxes look like when...

Grocery Shopping with Babies and Kids

Dread going to the grocery store with your kids? We get it. We’ve never had a client say they love grocery shopping with kids. Perhaps you even enjoy going to...

Music During Mealtime

Music adds ambience and fun to dinnertime. In our Toddler & Kid Course we talk about the importance of minimizing distractions, including TV and devices, during mealtime. Some of us like the...

Restaurant Essentials with Babies and Kids

While you don’t need anything special for Baby-led Weaning or toddler feeding, the right gear (and realistic expectations) make restaurant eating much easier. Check out our Amazon shop that includes a Restaurant Essentials section....

Managing Thanksgiving with New or Selective Eaters

Thanksgiving is a time to gather family and friends and share a delicious meal. You envision a table full of loved ones – or perhaps just your small family – and...

Easy Way to Clean your Toddler’s Hands after Eating

Do you have a toddler or baby that dislikes getting their face cleaned after mealtime? Did you know their reluctance to wash their hands after a meal can affect how...

Using Sand Timers With Kids

Sand timers can work wonders with toddlers and kids before they are old enough to understand the concept of time and duration! Judy here – I’m an Occupational Therapist...

Using a Dinner Bell with Kids

Does your child resist coming to the dinner table? Ask them to ring a dinner bell to signify the start of the meal – it can make all the difference! ...

Understanding Sensory Processing

Let’s talk sensory processing! This is a big topic, but we wanted to give you some basic information so that you can understand your child’s needs and development a little better. ...

Why do kids like crunchy foods?

Have you noticed that your kiddo gravitates toward crackers, veggie straws, and all foods crunchy? Why does he love these crunchy foods, and how can we use his preference for...

Mouth Stuffing and Food Pocketing in Young Children

Has your baby or toddler ever filled their mouth with blueberries – one after the next – without chewing and swallowing? Perhaps they store them in their cheeks or at...

Food Before 1 is NOT Just for Fun!

We hear the term “food before 1 is just for fun” thrown around in various Baby-led Weaning communities. The spirit of this phrase is great – don’t stress about the...

Different Ways to Use Ice Cube Trays

Ice cube trays add novelty to mealtime. How do you use ice cube trays? My sweet hubby picked up these summery silicone trays at the Target Dollar Spot (I’m sure my 5...

Sensory Play Starting with Dry Textures

Do you have a child who hates mixed texture foods like casseroles or soups? Perhaps they don’t like toppings on their sandwich or pizza…sound familiar? Judy here to discuss...

Sensory Play with Wet, Sticky Textures

Hey everyone! OT/feeding therapist Foodie Judy here with more techniques to help your child’s eating habits improve through play! Your child’s sensory system helps determine which kinds of food they eat....

How to Serve Squash to Babies

We love squash, especially during the fall months! These fall favorites are super high in vitamins and minerals and have a hearty texture that helps bulk up a meal...

Teach your Child How to Eat Tacos

Tacos are an easy dinner that can be enjoyed by the whole family! We’ve put together some visuals for how to serve tacos to kids 6+ months to help them...

Teething and Mealtime

Teething almost always affects mealtime in some way. A sudden change of eating patterns usually means something’s up – and teeth are a very likely culprit (even before you can see them...

How to Teach your Child to Eat a Sandwich

Sandwiches are a simple, filling meal option that can help provide essential nutrients – like fiber, protein, and B vitamins – for kids. It’s very convenient if your child can...

Helping your Child Branch Out from Starchy Foods

You are not a bad parent if your kid loves beige, starchy foods! Foodie Judy here. I’m an Occupational Therapist specializing in feeding therapy with babies and toddlers. No...

Why Dips are Important

Let’s talk DIPS! Did you know that the use of dips is something I use all the time in feeding therapy to help reluctant eaters learn how to eat more...

Teach your Child How to Swallow a Pill

Foodie Judy here! Yesterday a member of our Feeding Littles Clients Only Facebook group asked how to teach a child how to swallow a pill, so we thought we’d give you a...

How to Teach your Child to Eat a Salad

Whenever we post about favorite salad toppings we get questions about how/when kids can eat salads, too – this post is very long overdue! The biggest issue with salad...

Helping Kids Gain Back their Appetite after Illness

Ever notice that it takes a while for your kiddo’s appetite to return after they have been sick? Adding highly flavorful food to their regular meals can help “wake up” their...

Easy Ways to Play With Your Baby – FREE PRINTABLE

Judy here! I’m an Occupational Therapist specializing in feeding therapy. It seems like there are so many ideas on the internet for how to keep toddlers and kids occupied while...

How to Feed Your Child When They’re Sick

It’s winter 2022, and it seems like everyone is sick right now. COVID-19 is still circulating like crazy, but kids are also getting hit with RSV, strep throat, stomach bugs,...

Utensils

Let’s talk about utensils! Read on for what to look for when choosing utensils for your baby or toddler, how to encourage them to use spoons and forks, and what...

Bottle Refusal in Breastfed Babies

“I assumed all babies would willingly take a bottle…” When you learn about breastfeeding during pregnancy, you hear terms like “supply and demand” and are taught how important a good...

A Farewell to Breastfeeding

I have breastfed for over 52 months. Fifty. Two. Months. Looking back, it flew by. I hardly remember nursing my first baby, and now I’m about to wean my second....

Should my baby hold their own bottle?

Foodie Judy here – welcome! Megan and I have the privilege of interacting with thousands of families on Instagram and our private Feeding Littles Clients Only Facebook Group for those who have taken our online or...

The Ultimate Guide to Cup Drinking

Confused about cups? You are not alone! One of the most common questions on our Facebook group and Instagram is “How do I introduce a cup?” We know you have questions about cups...

Stocking Stuffers for Babies

Need a last minute gifts for your baby this holiday season? We’ve got you covered! Here are some of our favorite things for winter 2022. Ezpz Tiny Pops:...

Smarter Spoon-Feeding

Many parents who follow Feeding Littles utilize the concept of Baby-led Weaning (BLW), which means that babies feed themselves whole foods from the start. (Don’t worry – it doesn’t mean that baby...

Why Gagging is Good… As Long as It Improves

Your baby will gag when learning how to eat safely. We just want to see gagging reduce with practice. Let’s talk about the biggest source of stress for parents...

Feeding Fiction: Let’s Set the Record Straight

Feeding a baby or toddler can seem very overwhelming. There are so many routes to take, potential products to buy, things to consider. In a time when parents are bombarded...

Starting Solids: The Importance of Sitting Unassisted

Sitting with minimal assistance is one of the most important readiness signs for feeding solids. For many babies, unassisted sitting happens around 6 months, which is also when current guidance...

The Pincer Grasp is NOT a Prerequisite to Starting Solid Foods

Many parents rely on Facebook support groups for information about all things parenting – feeding, behavior, sleep development, potty training, and even car seat safety. With the influx of resources comes an...

Help Your Baby Learn to Chew

In our infant course, we talk about offering babies soft finger foods. Many families wonder, “How can babies eat whole – and not pureed – food without teeth?” Even...

Sweet Berry Constipation Smoothie

Let’s talk about poop. OK, so it’s not everyone’s favorite topic, but as a dietitian I discuss it – oftentimes in great detail – with almost all of my clients....

Benefits of Baby-led Weaning

Baby-led Weaning, or Infant Self-feeding, is an option that many families choose when they start solids foods. Oftentimes they are met with resistance by friends and family members who don’t...

What’s the Deal with Babies and Salt?

In our infant course on Baby-led Weaning (Infant Self-feeding), we recommend going easy on baby’s salt intake because babies’ kidneys are immature and likely can’t handle large amounts of sodium. (Salt is...

Can Babies have Spices?

Spices are recommended for babies. For decades parents were advised to serve babies plain, unseasoned foods. Dietitians and feeding professionals are now realizing that in order for children to learn...

How to Handle Overtired Babies and Toddlers at Mealtime

Anyone else have a case of the Mondays recently? This was my almost 3-year-old after her first day of full-day preschool school (9-3) during which she refused to nap. I...

Our Favorite Proteins for Baby-led Weaning

Did you know that all of these “protein” foods are appropriate for 6 month olds who show readiness signs to eat? Many protein foods like beef, poultry and fish...

Choking Hazards to Avoid or Modify for Kids

Many parents don’t realize that It is recommended to avoid or modify choking hazards until your child is 4 – that’s about the age when most kids have adequate oral-motor...

Benefits of Offering the Rainbow

We hear that we should eat a “rainbow of color” in our food every day, but what does this mean? Why? We wanted to share some of the benefits of...

Foodie Judy’s Three Spoon Circus

Have you noticed that if you let your baby or toddler feed themselves with loaded utensils they are likely to hold the spoon or fork hostage? Foodie Judy here!...

Offer the Rainbow

We recently featured various veggies and fruits of all the colors of the rainbow on our Instagram account. Our followers asked us to compile the charts into one printable document…so here...

Our Favorite High Chairs and Boosters

Selecting baby gear is one of the more overwhelming parts of parenthood. There are so many options available, and friends, family members, Facebook parenting groups, and Amazon reviews all pull you...