Helping a picky eater try new foods isn’t just about what happens at the table — it’s about what happens outside of mealtime too. Children’s books provide a pressure-free way to spark curiosity, teach positive food scripts, and build confidence around new foods. By exploring colorful characters and relatable stories, cautious eaters can learn that trying something new can be fun, safe, and even exciting. In this blog, we’ll share five engaging books that gently encourage kids to approach food with an open mind — no pressure required.

Picky eating isn’t just a phase—it’s a complex behavior shaped by development, sensory preferences, and a child’s level of food familiarity. At Kids Feeding Wellness™, we created the 5 Levels of Food Exposure™—a step-by-step protocol designed for children ages 2 and up—to help families and feeding professionals support cautious eaters in building food trust at their own pace. Backed by research and grounded in real-life success, this approach gently encourages exploration without pressure, helping children become more confident and curious around food.

As your baby gets older and develops new skills, you can swap out early feeding items for more age-appropriate ones to continue building independence and involvement. If you try to keep every single item you’ve used since the start, you’ll quickly find things piling up and getting in the way.

Keeping an organized cupboard or drawer just for your baby’s essential feeding items will save you time and prevent the stress of constantly sorting and cleaning. Think of it like this: the more pieces you accumulate, the less likely you are to wash and reuse the ones you actually need. Instead, everything builds up until you’re forced to tackle it all at once—which in the long run takes even more time.

Struggling with mealtime battles or endless snack requests? Learn how simple schedules and routines can help your child feel secure and arrive at the table ready to eat. This guide breaks down meal timing by age, tips for reducing grazing, and practical ways to build healthy habits. Plus, grab your free It’s Time to Eat! printable mealtime schedule to make mealtimes calmer and more predictable.

Your baby’s journey to solid foods doesn’t begin with that first spoonful of purée—it starts much earlier, with their mouth. From around 4 months old, babies begin exploring the world with their lips, tongue, and gums. It’s messy, it’s adorable, and—believe it or not—it’s a crucial part of feeding development.

One of the most overlooked tools in supporting this stage? Natural food teethers.

These aren’t store-bought plastic rings or silicone animals (though those have their place too). We’re talking about real food—safely prepared in a way that allows babies to mouth, gnaw, and explore without needing to swallow anything yet.

Starting solids is a big milestone—and one that comes with a lot of questions. Should you spoon feed? Try baby-led weaning (BLW)? Or maybe a bit of both?

At Kids Feeding Wellness, we believe the best feeding journey is one that works for your baby and your family.

This article breaks down how to blend spoon feeding with BLW in a way that supports development, encourages independence, and keeps mealtimes low-stress and enjoyable.

Whether you're new to solids or looking to troubleshoot picky eating, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Introducing solids is a big milestone—but it can also come with a lot of confusion. From offering the right textures to knowing when (and how) to start, it’s easy to make a few missteps along the way. In this post, we’re breaking down five common mistakes parents often make when starting solids—and giving you practical tips to avoid them. Whether you're just beginning or need a little reassurance, these insights will help you feel more confident and better support your baby’s feeding journey.

Many parents feel lost when it comes to their child's picky eating—wondering if feeding therapy is the only solution. But what if there was a way to understand the why behind your child's eating behaviors and create a supportive environment at home without relying on therapy?

In this blog, I dive into the real reasons behind picky eating—from genetics and sensory sensitivities to developmental phases—and introduce my Feeding Foundations Session. This 1.5-hour personalized deep dive helps parents gain the tools they need to empower their child for a lifetime of feeding success—without feeling stuck in an endless cycle of therapy.

If you’re ready to take control of mealtimes and help your child thrive, this is for you!

Starting solids is an exciting milestone, but did you know teething tools play a key role in feeding development? Beyond soothing sore gums, they help strengthen oral muscles, improve chewing skills, and support self-feeding. In this blog, we’ll share the best teething and feeding tools to make the transition to solids smoother and more enjoyable for your baby. Let’s get started!

This blog delves into the fascinating world of how babies develop their eating habits, balancing innate instincts and learned behaviors. From their natural preference for sweet flavors to the instinctual aversion to bitter foods, babies come into the world with built-in tendencies that help ensure their survival. As they grow, their food preferences are shaped by repeated exposure, family influences, and the emotional connections they form with food. We also explore the role of epigenetics and how experiences can modify taste preferences, as well as the challenge of food neophobia—fear of new foods—which is common in toddlers. By understanding these processes, parents can support their child’s eating journey and foster healthy, stress-free mealtimes.

This blog explores the crucial stage between 4 and 6 months when babies begin to explore textures, chew more intentionally, and prepare for self-feeding. As your baby’s oral motor skills develop, the right teething tools can significantly support their transition to solid foods. I’ve rounded up the best teething products to help ease discomfort and promote healthy oral development. We’ll also discuss how teething and mouthing play an essential role in feeding development, including how they support chewing skills, jaw muscle strengthening, and hand-to-mouth coordination. From improving tongue movement to encouraging self-feeding, these teething products set the foundation for your baby’s feeding journey.

From the moment they’re born, babies use their mouths to explore the world. Mouthing isn’t just about teething—it plays a critical role in oral development, sensory learning, and the foundation for feeding and speech skills. As a feeding specialist, I encourage parents to embrace this stage and provide safe, developmentally appropriate tools to support it. Early oral exploration helps babies develop coordination, body awareness, and self-soothing skills, all of which are essential for future milestones like chewing, swallowing, and even talking.

Whether your baby is just beginning to discover their hands and mouth or starting to teethe, here are my top recommendations for safe and effective tools to encourage healthy oral habits from the very start!

This blog explores the groundbreaking work of Dr. Clara Marie Davis, a pioneering physician who revolutionized the way we understand child feeding. In the 1920s, when strict dietary prescriptions led to widespread food refusal in children, Davis conducted a radical experiment that allowed infants to select their own foods without adult interference. Her findings laid the foundation for responsive feeding, proving that children can self-regulate their intake and develop healthy eating habits when provided with a supportive environment and nutritious options. Read on to discover how her research continues to shape modern feeding practices.

Is your baby refusing the bottle? Are feedings becoming a source of stress instead of joy? You’re not alone. Feeding your baby is meant to be a bonding and joyful experience, but when your baby starts refusing the bottle, it can bring feelings of overwhelm and frustration. In this blog, I’ll share stories from my work with families facing bottle-feeding aversions, common challenges I see, and how I approach these situations.

Together, we’ll explore what a bottle-feeding aversion is, why it happens, and practical strategies to help your baby rediscover the joy of feeding. At Kids Feeding Wellness (KFW), we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way with expert advice tailored to your baby’s unique needs.

Feeding success goes beyond getting your child to try new foods—it’s about fostering lifelong confidence, connection, and joy at the table. This blog shifts the focus from short-term wins to creating a supportive mealtime environment where your child feels safe to explore food at their own pace.

Discover practical strategies like the Division of Responsibility (DOR), reducing pressure, and making mealtimes about connection rather than food. By addressing stress and fostering trust, you can raise a confident eater who enjoys a variety of foods and builds a lasting, positive relationship with eating and family.

In this blog, we will explore the intricate relationship between sensory processing and how sensory experiences shape a child's willingness to try new foods. We’ll discuss what sensory processing is, the common signs of sensory challenges during feeding, and how these difficulties can manifest in a child’s eating habits. Additionally, we will provide practical tips for parents to support their children in expanding their food repertoire while considering their unique sensory profiles.

Eating is a sensory experience that can overwhelm young children. In this blog, we explore how sensory processing impacts eating behaviors and highlight the benefits of messy eating. By encouraging children to touch and play with their food, we can enhance fine motor skills, boost confidence, and promote acceptance of new tastes and textures. Join us to discover how messy play fosters resilience, curiosity, and emotional regulation. Plus, stay tuned for a freebie at the end, featuring fun activities to support your child’s sensory exploration during mealtimes!

Are you struggling to manage your child’s feeding difficulties? You’re not alone—nearly 50% of parents report feeding-related issues with their children. This blog post clarifies the difference between feeding difficulties and feeding disorders, unpacks the main causes of feeding disorders, and highlights the importance of collaborating with healthcare providers for effective intervention.

Are you struggling to manage your child’s feeding difficulties? You’re not alone—nearly 50% of parents report feeding-related issues with their children. This blog post clarifies the difference between feeding difficulties and feeding disorders, unpacks the main causes of feeding disorders, and highlights the importance of collaborating with healthcare providers for effective intervention.

In today's blog, we're diving into the topic of natural facial workouts and the role of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT). Have you ever wondered if we need to hit the gym to work out our faces? While it may sound like a silly question, the truth is, our facial muscles undergo a natural workout through everyday activities like chewing, swallowing, and breathing. But why are these natural workouts essential, and what happens when they don't occur? Let's explore.