 Supplements can have an important role in your child's diet, but they're not replacements for food.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 and kids all the way to age 18 likely need is vitamin D, per the AAP. However, in certain circumstances supplementation may be warranted, especially if your child's diet is very limited or if you offering a supplement helps you minimize the pressure you put on your child to eat. Here are some additional considerations:
Vitamin DVitamin D is traditionally known for promoting strong bone growth, as it helps the body utilize calcium, but newer research also suggests that optimal vitamin D status may help prevent chronic diseases like asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. However, since sunscreen use is important for skin cancer prevention, coupled with our indoor lifestyles, most people are vitamin D deficient. Interestingly, vitamin D is the only supplement routinely recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Specifically:
What does this mean? Essentially every child should receive a vitamin D supplement throughout infancy and childhood, unless they are getting at least 32 oz of formula as a baby or if they're breastfeeding and mom is taking 6400 IU vitamin D herself. Again, kids 12+ months need 600 IU per day, an amount that is very difficult to obtain through food. They would need to drink 48 ounces of fortified milk - far too much! We know that some parents are uncomfortable with supplementation and think that children should get all they need from their food. While we agree with this philosophy, vitamin D may be the exception. When children were tested for vitamin D status, over 70% were considered insufficient. Vitamin D, especially when given in very simple supplements, is a safe and effective way to help build strong bones and prevent chronic disease. If you decide not to supplement your child, we recommend annual vitamin D testing. When looking for a vitamin D supplement, watch ingredient lists. Look for simple words you can pronounce. There are many very simple options available - no need for tons of ingredients or preservatives. If your child takes a multivitamin (see below) that contains 400-600 IU vitamin D or more, you do not need a separate vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D most often found in over-the-counter supplements. It's derived from animal sources, whereas vitamin D2 is derived from plant sources. While vitamin D3 might be more absorbable than vitamin D2, most physicians agree that what matters most is taking vitamin D in supplemental form when needed instead of worrying about the form or type of vitamin D. Here are some products we recommend: Infants (under 12 months): Thorne Vitamin D/K2 - 500 IU per drop (vitamin K2 can help with vitamin D absorption) Carlson Labs Baby's Super Daily D3 - 400 IU per drop UpSpring Baby Vitamin D3 Drops - 400 IU per drop Nordic Naturals Vitamin D Drops - 400 IU per drop Baby D Drops - 400 IU per drop Mommy's Bliss Vitamin D Drops - 400 IU per drop Zarbee's Natural's Vitamin D Supplement - 400 IU per 0.25 mL Toddlers/Kids (12+ months) (Note: you can also offer 2 drops of the 400 IU vitamin D drops listed above if you don't have a 600 IU drop. The established Upper Limit for vitamin D in kids is 2,500 IU, so having a double dose of the infant drop - 800 IU - is considered safe.) D Drops Booster - 600 IU per drop Joy Spring Vitamin D Drops (with vitamin K2) - 1000 IU per 5 drop serving (600 IU per 3 drops) Renzo's Dynamite D3 - 1,000 IU per tab Mary Ruth's Vitamin D Spray - 800 IU per 4 spray serving (600 IU per 3 sprays) IronIron is a mineral that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to every muscle in the body. Iron-deficiency in kids can be mild to severe. Severe deficiency can lead to issues with growth and brain development, so iron deficiency is something providers take seriously. Babies receive iron in breast milk and iron-fortified formula, although their iron needs go up starting at age 7 months. Because of this, babies need more iron than what they can get from breast milk or formula in the second half of infancy. This is why we recommend high-iron foods every day when you start complementary foods (6+ months) - because babies need that extra iron. High-iron foods include: beef, poultry, fish, whole grains, iron-fortified grains and cereals, leafy greens, nut and seed butters, beans and lentils. How do I know if my child needs an iron supplement? Your provider will likely do a blood test to check your baby's iron level at your 12 month appointment. Most babies and kids do not need supplemental iron if they're getting iron in food, but if your baby was premature or has an increased risk of iron-deficiency, your provider might recommend an iron supplement. Oftentimes, providers recommend raising iron levels with food first. If you're worried about your child's iron status, talk to your provider. Some iron supplements can have a really unfavorable taste. We've included products that seem to be well-liked by our clients. Here are some products we recommend if supplemental iron is indicated: Infants (under 12 months): Novaferrum Pediatric Drops Liquid Iron for Infants and Toddlers Toddlers/Kids (12+ months) Novaferrum Pediatric Drops Liquid Iron for Infants and Toddlers Renzo's Iron Strong with Vitamin C - 2+ years MultivitaminsMost parents assume their kids need a multivitamin to be healthy. However, research suggests that multivitamins are best used when children exhibit a deficiency, not as a catch-all for every kid. Yes, kids don't always eat a balanced diet, but unless they are deficient in certain nutrients they probably do not need a multivitamin. However,...sometimes adding a multivitamin to a toddler's or child's routine can help parents stress less (and thus lay off the pressure) at mealtime, especially if the child is especially picky. Some conditions also increase a child's need for a multivitamin. And since we do know kids probably need a vitamin D supplement, a multivitamin containing vitamin D is a one-two punch. What about babies? We generally do not recommend a routine multivitamin for full-term, healthy infants unless indicated by their provider. They simply need supplemental vitamin D if not getting enough of it in their milk (see above). Here are some products we recommend if supplementation is indicated: Infants (Under 12 months) - includes 400 IU vitamin D: (Reminder: most infants do not need a multivitamin - these products are suggestions if a multivitamin is suggested by their provider): Mommy's Bliss Baby Multivitamin + Iron NovaFerrum Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers NovaFerrum Vegan Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers SmartyPants Baby Multi + DHA Zarbee Baby Multivitamin Toddlers (1-3 years): Contains enough vitamin D (600 IU): Zarbee's Toddler Multivitamin - recommended for ages 2-3, watch for choking safety with gummies and brush teeth after offering Does not contain enough vitamin D - an additional 400 IU vitamin D drop or at least 2 cups fortified milk/milk alternative are recommended with these products: NovaFerrum Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers NovaFerrum Vegan Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers SmartyPants Baby Multi + DHA SmartyPants Toddler Formula Gummies with Omega-3s - recommended for ages 2-3, watch for choking safety with gummies and brush teeth after offering Renzo's Picky Eater Multivitamin with Iron - 1/2 tablet for kids ages 2-3 Kids (4+ years) - Includes at least 600 IU vitamin D: Many of the kids multivitamins that contain the nutrient ratios we prefer come as gummies. We recommend brushing your child's teeth afterwards if offering gummies. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Multivitamin for Kids SmartyPants Kids Multivitamin - includes omega-3s SmartyPants Kids Organic Multivitamin - includes omega-3s and probiotics Renzo's Picky Eater Multivitamin with Iron - 2 tablets for kids ages 4+ ProbioticsProbiotics are such a hot topic right now, as more and more research is emerging to suggest the importance of a healthy gut flora. We plan to write an entirely separate post specific to probiotics, their uses, which strains to focus on for given issues, etc. The recommendations below are simply a few general high-quality probiotics that we use and love. Probiotics are the live bacteria and other organisms that live in our GI tract and various parts of our body. They are responsible for fighting off invaders as part of the immune system defense and may play a role in disease prevention, gut health, skin health, and neurological function. In general, if your baby is breastfeeding or is using a formula that contains probiotics, additional probiotics are not necessary. However, if you baby has taken antibiotics, is exposed to a lot of germs at daycare or while traveling, or has any skin or digestive upset it is generally considered safe to start a probiotic to see if it helps. If your child has any medical conditions or is immunocompromised, please talk to your doctor first. What about probiotics for toddlers and older children? If your toddler or child doesn't have breast milk, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kim chi other fermented foods a few times a week, a probiotic may be a good idea. This might especially be the case if your child struggles with constipation (or diarrhea), eczema or skin issues, uses antibiotics, or seems to get sick often. Again, check with your doc! Below are some products we like - again, there are MANY probiotics out there, but these are the ones we've used the most. We prefer probiotics with at least 3-5 billion CFU (colony forming units) per serving and at least 4 different bacterial strains, but not every probiotic will fit that bill. What should I do if my child needs to be on antibiotics? We love using Florastor Kids during antibiotic use because it's made from S. boulardii, a yeast strain not killed by antibiotics. S. boulardii can help prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Note: Florastor Kids is the exception to these guidelines and should be used during antibiotic regimens, as S. boulardii can help prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea. The probiotic strain in Florastor is a yeast, not a bacteria, so it's not killed by the antibiotic. Some probiotics need to be shipped and stored refrigerated. Carefully read product labels to ensure proper storage. In general, probiotics can be put in a bottle, stirred into food or put on a nursing mother's nipple. Some families also put probiotics on a clean finger directly into baby's mouth. Here are some products we recommend if supplementation is indicated: Infants (under 12 months): Klaire Ther-Biotic For Infants Garden of Life Baby Probiotics Mary Ruth's Infant Probiotic Drops Nordic Natural's Baby Nordic Flora Toddlers/Kids (12+ months): Klaire Ther-Biotic Children's Chewable - age 2+ Lovebug Probiotic and Prebiotic for Kids Mary Ruth's Organic Probiotic Drops Garden of Life Organic Kids Probiotics HyperBiotics Pro Kids Omega-3sEPA and DHA are essential fatty acids present in breast milk, formula, fatty fish and (in much less bioavailable quantities) flax seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds. DHA specifically is responsible for eye and brain development and serves as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in the body, potentially helping in management of asthma, ADHD, and in prevention of heart disease later in life. If your baby or child is breastfeeding or is using formula containing DHA, or if your child is eating fatty fish like salmon or sardines a few times a week, supplementation is not necessary. However, using an omega-3 supplement probably cannot hurt and can help ensure that your child consumes omega-3 fats, which are otherwise somewhat hard to get in high doses in the diet if your child doesn't eat fatty fish. Some eggs and milk are fortified with omega-3s, but it may be more cost effective to use a supplement. We love Nordic Naturals brand, as they are incredibly transparent in their processing of fish and algae oils and remove any contaminants or heavy metals utilizing molecular distillation. While the guidance is mixed, on average we recommend approximately 100 mg per day of DHA via the form of food or supplements. Again, if your child is breastfeeding or drinking a DHA-fortified formula, or if they eat fatty fish or DHA-fortified foods regularly, they probably do not need a supplement. However, unless contraindicated by your physician it likely does not hurt, especially after your baby weans from breast milk or formula. Here are some products we recommend if supplementation is indicated: Infants (under 12 months) Again, infants do not need DHA if they're breastfeeding or receiving fortified formula. If you decide to offer extra DHA, we recommend waiting until at least 6 months. Nordic Naturals Baby's DHA Toddlers/Kids (12+ months): Nordic Naturals Children's DHA Strawberry Nordic Naturals Children's DHA Gummies I hope this post helped you dissect the complicated world of supplements and find a product that works for you! And in case you were wondering, I personally give my girls Thorne Vitamin D/K2 (1 drop), Klaire Children's Chewable probiotic (1 chewable) if they're not eating many probiotic foods, and Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fishies (1 gummy) if they're not eating vey much fatty fish.   It’s PUMPKIN TIME! Every year these pumpkin recipes (see below) are on repeat all autumn long in our home. The chili post is adapted from Wellness Mama and it’s delicious! These recipes also happen to have easy dairy-free modifications for those who need it, and they’re also egg-free! Why is pumpkin such a nutritional powerhouse? Just one tablespoon fulfills your child’s vitamin A needs for the whole day (ages 1-8)! Vitamin A, specifically as beta carotene in pumpkin, supports eye health and vision, skin and the immune system. Pumpkin also has tons of other vitamins and minerals. We choose boxed or canned unsweetened pureed pumpkin, but you can also make your own by roasting pumpkin flesh and pureeing it yourself - it’s just a lot more work. For the cookies - we like cake mixes with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, vanilla etc. so Immaculate Baking and Foodstirs work well, but you can try any boxed cake mix at your grocery store. Concerned about sugar? Head to our post to read our stance on sugar and how/when to incorporate into your child’s diet. The bigger deal we make about sugar, the more kids focus on it.      Image via @shafferwoman **We know that families all look different, and not every family includes a mom. In the language below, we use the term "mom" to refer to the breastfeeding person. "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 latch is for successful milk transfer. However, very few people talk about the fact that many breastfed babies refuse to take bottles of breast milk, something many moms don’t expect. We see images of baby bottles everywhere and assume that all babies will drink from them. Interestingly, the bottle is easier for a breastfed baby to drink out of since it’s a static process. Some babies can drink milk much faster from a bottle than a breast. For this reason, many moms are advised to not introduce a bottle until at least 4-6 weeks, or when breastfeeding is well established. What many moms don’t expect is that not all babies will take a bottle when it’s eventually introduced. While bottle refusal is OK for some families, many moms need to go back to work or would like more flexibility in feeding. It can be extremely frustrating and isolating for a mom who wants or needs to be away from their baby longer than two hours but cannot due to feeding schedules. Furthermore, bottle refusal can be difficult for care providers and can discourage loved ones from wanting to care for the baby. It is a blessing to successfully breastfeed, but when baby can’t take a bottle, sometimes the mom feels trapped. Perhaps she’s distracted at work because she worries about how much milk her baby is drinking at daycare. These are very valid, real feelings. Fortunately, this situation is temporary. Both of Megan’s babies refused bottles, as have many of our clients’ babies, so we are fully aware of the emotional toll this can take on a family. We wanted to share some practical tips and alternatives to bottles that can help you survive this temporary phase. Before you read this article, please know these four things:
Oh, and one day your bottle refuser will be a toddler who sees a baby bottle and tries to drink from it. Little stinker. Let’s talk about how to navigate bottle refusal. All images used in this blog post were submitted by members of our Feeding Littles Clients Only Facebook Group and are used with permission.  Image via @eechocho First, an important safety caveat.This article assumes that your baby is getting enough milk to support adequate growth and development via breastfeeding. If your baby isn’t transferring milk well, is refusing to breastfeed, is away from breastfeeding mom for a prolonged period and isn’t taking milk, or is refusing their formula please work with your health care provider ASAP. Dehydration in infants can be very dangerous and must be addressed immediately. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that your child does not have any medical issues that would prevent them from taking a bottle. For example, babies born prematurely and those with neuromuscular impairments maybe more susceptible to feeding preferences, and these specific concerns should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician, lactation and feeding specialists. Why do babies refuse bottles?Unfortunately, we never know which babies will refuse bottles. Many babies have no difficulty transitioning back and forth between breast and bottle, while other babies will fight a bottle and refuse to accept it. Let’s briefly discuss the mechanics of breast and bottle feeding so we can better understand what your baby is experiencing. Breastfeeding is dynamic – as breasts fill and empty, a baby’s mouth constantly adjusts to accommodate these changes. Breastmilk changes in consistency and nutrient quality from the beginning of the feed to the end. It starts off more watery and higher in protein, which can help baby quench their thirst and provides amino acids for physiologic processes, and becomes higher in fat and creamier in texture as the feed proceeds. The milk consistency and changes throughout the day, as does the taste of breastmilk depending on mom's diet. Even the color of breastmilk can change from day to day! What’s more, breastfeeding is a dynamic bonding experience between mom and baby. Babies are used to mom’s voice, her smell, her body and the little routines they have established together while feeding. Of course, you don’t have to breastfeed to bond with your baby, but from a nursing baby’s perspective, feeding time equals time with mom. That’s why when you try to bottle feed some breastfed babies, they refuse to drink the milk. The bottle is not dynamic like a breast, and the nipple itself is very different than mom’s nipple. Babies know the difference – they’re smart little creatures! What’s more, when mom tries to give baby a bottle, baby might not understand why they can’t have what they’re used to – the breast. Think about it from your baby’s perspective: all they know is cuddling with mom (warm, comfortable, familiar) and getting their milk from her breast. They have done it only this way for potentially 500-2,000 feeds, depending on when you start to offer a bottle. Suddenly you are asking them to do something extraordinarily different than what they’ve practiced their entire life. It makes sense that many of them refuse the bottle.  Image via Cybele Ponton Stress can affect this process, big time.Before we talk about specific strategies (we promise to get there!), we want to emphasize how much stress can affect how well a breastfed baby will take a bottle. When babies refuse bottles, it can understandably be extremely stressful and anxiety-driven. Breastfeeding moms may feel desperate, “trapped” at home or angry that their baby isn’t figuring it out. Similarly, the adult attempting to feed the baby with a bottle may be frustrated or fearful because it hasn’t been going well. They might not be willing to continue to try. Your baby can pick up on this stress. They sense not only their mom’s anxiety, but also the stress of the person giving them the bottle. Stress in a breastfeeding mom may affect their breast milk production. Of course…hearing that you need to stress less or “calm down” when faced with an emotionally-charged topic only stresses you out even more. Rather, we (Judy and Megan) just want to highlight how important it is to be emotionally calm and steady when trying to offer the bottle. It’s equally as important for the person doing the bottle feeding to try to remain calm, patient and positive during this process. Notice how your body tenses or how the bottle feeder responds to the baby if your baby is turning their head, spitting out the bottle nipple or crying. If the bottle feeder or the baby begin to get noticeably stressed, take a break and try again. Explain to the bottle feeder that this is a process that might take time.  Image via Tracy Islam How can I (hopefully) prevent my baby from refusing bottles?If you are planning to return to work, many lactation professionals recommend offering the bottle every few days starting at 2-4 weeks of age. Of course, if breastfeeding is still a major struggle, work with your lactation consultant first. Be consistent – it can take time for your baby to become accustomed to the feel and the rhythm of a bottle. Ideally, have someone other than the breastfeeding mom do the bottle feeds. This can be a great bonding experience for your partner or another family member. If possible, start by putting an ounce or two of expressed breastmilk in a bottle with a slow-flow or preemie nipple. Judy recommends Dr. Brown’s bottles because they are known for their venting system. This helps keep air out of the milk, which prevents gas and makes the feeding go more smoothly. If we don’t need to burp the baby as often, then less latching on and off may occur. Many babies get frustrated and somewhat lost the more frequent on/off latching with the bottles when they're used to breastfeeding. You don’t need to offer a full feed; the goal is to get your baby used to the sucking pattern and nipple feel of a bottle. If you’re consistent with offering a bottle every few days, your baby will be more likely to continue to accept it. My baby won't take the bottle - what do I do?Below are some specific tips and multiple things to rule out if your baby refuses a bottle. You don't have to try all of these things! We are simply offering multiple techniques that may help. Don't forget to read your baby’s cues. We don’t want to force a baby to drink from the bottle by holding it in their mouth when they’re refusing to swallow or if they’re crying without suckling. It can become a safety hazard if milk is in their mouth but they’re not swallowing effectively, and they can develop a negative association with bottles and feeding time. Above all else, don’t force this process.
 Image via @caramielle My baby still won't drink from the bottle despite trying everything above. Now what do I do?First off, it’s important to remember that there’s nothing wrong with you or your baby if they don’t take a bottle. It’s not a required developmental step. Breastfeeding does great things to develop your child's oral-motor skills, so don’t worry that they are “missing out” developmentally if they don’t take a bottle. However, that doesn’t make bottle refusal easy. Here are some ways to work around bottle refusal:
 Image via @ashbcoop Alternative Feeding Devices If your baby will not take a bottle and you need to give them milk in another manner, sometimes additional tools may help. Before using any of these techniques, please consult a feeding specialist or lactation specialist, especially if your baby has any breathing or swallowing issues. The biggest concern with this type of feeding is a risk for aspiration if your baby isn’t actively drinking the milk. We are simply offering these techniques to help you safely use these tools and be aware that they exist. This does not replace medical advice or care. Talk with your provider about which specific products and techniques will work best for your baby. Dropper or syringe:
Open cup, bowl or spoon We generally recommend introducing an open cup to babies around 6 months when they start solids as discussed in our Ultimate Guide to Cup Drinking. However, if your breastfed baby is refusing bottles, you can try an open cup, bowl or spoon as early as 4 months, or when your baby has good head and neck control. Note: sometimes spoon feeding colostrum or breast milk is a technique used much earlier than 4 months - lactation specialists often utilize it in the hospital before a baby has figured out how to breastfeed. These are general guidelines to help families whose babies consistently refuse bottles and can't receive milk when mom is away, but every baby and situation will be different. Work with your provider.
 Image via @ohhappystatons Can you continue to breastfeed into toddlerhood if your baby refuses bottles as an infant?Yes! Many moms decide to breastfeed into toddlerhood (12+ months). At this point, breastfeeding a bottle-refusing baby can be less stressful since they don’t need to breastfeed as much as they did in infancy. Many moms gradually stop pumping at work and only breastfeed when they’re with their toddler. While at daycare (or while mom travels), baby drinks an alternative milk from a cup or gets their nutrition through food and water until mom comes home.  Image via Elaine McDonnell We know that bottle refusal can be really stressful, but we hope these strategies help you discover some solutions for your family. Soon your baby will be drinking from a cup and eating food like a pro – this is so temporary!   When serving veggies and fruits to babies, toddlers and young eaters - think color!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 it is! A few things to keep in mind:
Scroll through to see the chart, and click the link below to download the PDF file. 
  
  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, friends, makes up lunch. No complicated recipes, no super complicated meals. Just lots of nourishing, satisfying, tasty foods that give them energy to get back to learning, playing or taking a nap! Click on the link below to access our Lunch Toolkit. We hope it helps inspire you!
  Did you know you can serve babies (6+ months) whole, cooked broccoli? We teach this method, Baby-led Weaning, in a flexible way in our online Infant Course if you need help!) Broccoli forms a natural handle that small hands can easily hold and offers texture that feels good on teething gums. Many babies love broccoli, but some need to be exposed to it multiple times to learn to like it! Many people assume that we have to serve babies plain, steamed veggies…but babies can eat foods cooked the way the family eats it as long as it’s cooked through and soft for those strong back gums to chew on - no teeth necessary! Oils and spices are actually beneficial for baby, and they help them learn to enjoy broccoli (and other veggies) with a variety of flavors. Plus, using cooking oils, herbs and other cooking methods make foods taste better and more appealing to new eaters. What about salt? We recommend going easy on salt on baby’s food, as their recommended intake is pretty low - 400 mg. However, it’s likely unnecessary to stress about sodium if you’re offering baby lots of unsalted foods alongside foods that inherently have salt. We don’t have science to prove that a little more sodium is necessarily harmful in healthy infants. If you like your food salted, add it after cooking or pull aside baby’s portion before salting it if possible. More on this in our post about babies and salt. Frozen broccoli works too! Below are instructions for fresh broccoli.
   Looking for anything to make life easier right now? Here are just a few we've come across over the years that we have found super helpful! What are your “life hacks” for feeding? Maybe ways you manage the mess, make meal prep easier or help save your sanity? Send us a message with your tips!    Let’s talk about if babies and kids can eat “too much fruit.” Recently in our Clients Only Facebook group, a mama asked if she should cut off her kiddo when he eats too much fruit. In general, we recommend the model “You provide, child decides.” This mean that you offer the food of your choosing and they decide how much of it to eat. Yes, that means they may eat much more than a child’s size serving of fruit. Is this OK? Well, let’s look at the big picture. Fruit is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients (plant nutrients that have disease-preventive effects). It is hydrating and tasty. Many kids are interested in a meal because they see their favorite “familiar” food - fruit! It gets them eating other foods. Yes, fruit contains inherent fruit sugar, but for many kids it’s their main source of key nutrients. We know that as a culture we have been taught that “all sugar is bad,” but even if we followed that line of thinking - we don’t - do we really think that fruit is the problem? So, are there times when we would limit how much fruit we offer our kids?
How do you deal with a kid who only wants fruit?
  Does your kiddo only want your food, even if it’s the same thing they’re eating? Why do they do this, and how do you deal with it? I’m an OT specializing in feeding therapy and I see this type of behavior all the time in my clients. Your kiddo may be exercising their independence - “I do SELF” - and they want some control over their environment. They may not realize that the food on their plate is *exactly the same,* but it doesn’t matter - they want YOURS. They may also be testing limits and learning about boundaries. Fun, huh? So, what can you do to encourage them to eat their own food?
  This post was inspired by our team member Sarah, who literally ordered 7 apples (she thought) and received 7 BAGS OF APPLES. No returns. Yup, these are her real apples her family is slowly eating through. She’s taking suggestions for apple recipes, by the way. We decided to call a bunch of grocery stores to get their tips for ordering groceries online. Please keep in mind that very store is different!
|
Archives
July 2021
Categories
All
|
||||||||||||||
RSS Feed
The contents of this site are opinions of Feeding Littles LLC partners unless otherwise noted. The information on this site and the products featured are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any type of disease and are not intended as personalized medical advice. Any decision you make regarding your health and medical treatments should be made with a qualified health provider.
© COPYRIGHT 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.