Whether or not their child is eating enough veggies is one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents of picky eaters. First and foremost, there is no food that your child NEEDS to eat. It’s totally possible for them to meet their nutrition needs without eating a plateful of veggies. That being said, many parents wonder if hiding veggies in their kids food is a good way to give their kids a little nutrient boost.
Just this week, the FDA released draft guidance for limits on the amount of lead in baby food and other foods meant for kids under 2 (1). After the release of the Healthy Babies Bright Future study in 2019, it seems that heavy metals are in the news more often than ever. What does this actually mean for parents? And what will these new limits do?
I may be a bit biased, but I think that every parent could benefit from working with a pediatric nutritionist. Most pediatricians get very minimal training in nutrition and often don’t have the time to answer questions in depth. Dietitians, however, specialize in just feeding and often our appointments are longer, giving us more time to focus on any area of concerns you may have.
One of the first thing many breastfeeding courses will mention is to make sure that your baby has a deep latch. But how do you know if your baby has a shallow latch or a deep latch? And if the latch is shallow, how can you fix it?
When babies are first starting to eat, it’s very common for them to put too much food in their mouth leading to mouth stuffing or food pocketing. It may actually take them a while to realize that they need to swallow their food. Many babies will figure out what they need to do on their own, but there are some tips and tricks you can use to help them figure it out.
Bread is by far one of my favorite ways to introduce wheat to babies when I’m focusing on the top 9 allergens. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind when purchasing and serving bread to your baby.
First, check ingredients and avoid honey (for babies under one) and any bread with nuts or seeds. Second, make sure you serve it appropriately. In general, babies do better with crusty breads or lightly toasted breads. The very soft breads can get gummed up in their mouths and increase their risk of choking.
Every parent knows the struggle of getting their child to bed. No child is ever as hungry or thirsty as a toddler at bedtime. Are they really hungry or are they stalling? While not necessary for every child, a bedtime snack can be an easy way to ensure that your child isn’t hungry and is really just avoiding bed.
Pomegranates are known for their bright red seeds and tart flavor. They are native to the Middle East and parts of Asia. We eat the seeds, also known as arils, which are considered a choking hazard for young babies. This pomegranate jam, a variation of my chia jam, is a great way to expose your child to the flavor of pomegranate while minimizing the risk of choking.
Pomegranates are often described as both sweet and tart. They can be eaten on their own or used in dishes such as salads, smoothies, and desserts. Due to their vibrant color, they are often used as garnishes.
Egg allergy is one of the most common allergies in children, but most children will eventually outgrow their allergy. It is estimated that by age 6, up to 71% of children will outgrow their egg allergy. This does mean that almost 30% of people will remain allergic to eggs for their entire lives.
Of the children with an egg allergy, up to 70% will tolerate egg baked into food. When you heat the egg, you can break up the protein enough so that the body doesn’t recognize it as a threat. Consuming eggs in baked foods consistently over time may lead to resolution of an egg allergy over time.
