Picky Eating

Try our activity-based, low-stress approach and see change within a month. These are powerful checklists, how-to guides and scripts for transforming picky eating.

Drop your name and email below to
get a FREE instant download of
The Transforming Picky Eating Cheat Sheet today. We never spam.

A complete 4-week plan that will create the change you want to see.

All Picky Toddler Blog Posts

neophobia

Does Your Picky Toddler Have A Fear of New Foods? Neophobia & Neophobic Behavior Explained

picky eating toddlers

Picky Eating Toddlers: The Ultimate Starter Guide To Overcoming Fussy Children's Eating Habits

how to reverse picky eating in toddlers

How To Get Your Picky Toddler To Eat More Variety In 3 Simple Steps

picky eater toddler ideas

Overwhelmed By Picky Toddler Advice? Focus On These 2 Key Healthy Tips For Picky Eaters First

how to deal with a picky toddler

8 Phrases To Stop Saying To Your Picky Toddler At Mealtime That Can Make Picky Eating Worse

get your toddler to try new foods picky eater tips for parents

6 Food Exposure Activities That Can Get Your Picky Toddler To Try New Foods

3 Step Plan To Change Picky Eating In Toddlers In 1 Month

child, portrait, happy-1260421.jpg

Protein Rich Foods For Toddlers - What They Need & Recipe Ideas Too!

boy, male, young-5319313.jpg

Toddler Won't Eat Vegetables? Here's What To Do

picky eaters picky toddler

15 Reasons I Can Get My Twins (and all the picky toddlers I work with at my daycare & preschool)...

picky eater doesn't like meat

12 Things You Can Do If Your Picky Eater Doesn't Like Meat (Yet)

child eating, kids, childhood-881200.jpg

What Is Food Chaining? Food Chaining Ideas & Facts For Helping Picky Toddler's Expand Their Diet

when does picky eating stop

When Does Picky Eating Stop?

picky eater foods

5 Things You May Be Doing That Are Making Picky Eating Worse

picky toddler foods

Why Your Toddler Is A Picky Eater & How You Can Help Them Change

toddler behavior

Meal Ideas + Food Switches You Can Make To Help Your Constipated Toddler

picky eater

Simple Dinner Table Strategy To Try With Your Picky Eater

picky eaters

Sorting Activity To Get Your Picky Toddler Hands On With New Foods

picky toddler foods

4 New Habits That Will Change Your Picky Toddler's Ways

picky eating

How To Set Your Space Up So That Cooking With Your Toddler Is Simple And Enjoyable

picky eating toddler foods

1 Super Simple Thing That Can Get Your Picky Eater Trying New Foods

EXACTLY How You Can Transform Your Picky Eater: A 4-Week Plan

How To Get Your Picky Eater To Try New Foods - 9 Tips That Work Wonders

Follow on Instagram for daily tips & more...

lowstressmotherhood

#learningmysolids #learningmyfoods #learningthepotty

No one can take care of you like you can. Give y

No one can take care of you like you can.

Give yourself your all sometimes, too.

I see you giving your all to everyone else, momma.

It comes with the territory, I know.

You know what else I know? You deserve that same TLC too, regularly 💓

It’s true, even if we doubt it, feel guilty about it, or don’t have a support system that agrees with it.

It is true. You need it. Take it.

Make it selfish and feel more fulfilled because of it.

#momselfcare #mommentalhealth

Ever had a moment like this? It was like everythin

Ever had a moment like this? It was like everything was in slow motion for a sec.

Let’s stop saying/believing this👆🏽 *The e

Let’s stop saying/believing this👆🏽

*The emotional aspect of implicit memory is why nurturing attachment & positive associations w/little ones has such a powerful impact on their future.

This is why we don’t believe in just always letting a toddler cry it out alone when they’re upset or calling them bad when they are just beginning to learn social skills - not because of the memory of the one event but because if continually handled this way, the toddler doesn’t learn other ways to handle things AND will begin to feel confused or badly about themselves & start believing negative words that are said to them - even if they aren’t true. Those words become their inner voice that echoes in their brain until adulthood (I’m an angry person, I’ve always been the shy one, I’m naughty, I can’t do anything right, I’m not doing good enough.)

And forget the memories - what about the now? What about the joy of an experience? That feeling of deep connectedness to one another? The wonderful memories they share w/you at 3 years old about that family trip you all took when they were just 2? All of this is real, happening & counts 🤍

Here’s what research shows about toddler memories:

* Memory development begins in the womb.
* Throughout the baby & toddler years, children are capable of forming memories and holding them for increasingly longer periods of time. However, these memories formed in early childhood fade by the time they’re adults. BUT Even though we can’t consciously remember our earliest years, there’s another, vastly important type of memory that we do carry into adulthood: The unconscious, “implicit” memories of how learned to view the world.

* The emotional aspect of implicit memory is why nurturing attachment & positive associations w/little ones has such a powerful impact on their future. If you throw a beautiful first birthday party for your child: He may not recall the event, but if you consistently expose him to happy, loving gatherings of family & friends, he will form implicit memories connecting these types of gatherings w/feelings of happiness & belonging.
-BabySparks

Truth is: Years 0-8 program how we feel about ourselves and our world, for life.

Top 6 reasons babies throw foods on the floor. Wi

Top 6 reasons babies throw foods on the floor.

Witnessing cause and effect, trying to move foods out of their way when they don’t want them, and getting mommy’s attention - are all common reasons why babies throw foods on the floor.

You can read my full blog post on how to handle each reason, linked in my stories today or at lowstressmotherhood.com ‘throwing food’.

Food throwing is very normal AND it doesn’t have to be a regular part of mealtime at your house anymore. Saying good bye to food throwing is probably easier than you think, and I show exactly how to do it, no matter the reason.

Most babies I’ve worked with drop food when just starting out with solids, but after about a month, they no longer do it because I’ve set up the setting, timing, and shown them other ways to communicate their needs and feelings with me 👌🏽

Raise your hand if your baby threw or throws food? (I have yet to meet a baby who hasn’t thrown food at some point!)

Ps: Just starting baby led weaning or have a picky eater? Grab my FREE starter guide on each topic and feel fully prepared, confident, and calm at mealtimes! Everything you need to know to start solids with minimal stress and tackle picky eating like a pro 🙌🏽✨…and start enjoying meals with your child 💓

Here’s to parenting free from shaming, labeling,

Here’s to parenting free from shaming, labeling, comparing, judging, emotionally stifling, projecting, punishing… 😆😍🌱✨🤘🏽…those not so obvious traumas that cripple a person.

Because we aware of how these things felt when we were little and how those feelings have became our inner voice and affected us all the way into adulthood.

We are awake in our parenting and actively healing ourselves so we minimize intentionally or unintentionally hurting our children along the way.

This gift we are learning to give to our children, we are naturally, simultaneously learning to give to ourselves, our partners, and others in our lives, too.

So powerful. So transformative. So amazing.

#consciousnessshift

Breaking cycles can feel lonely in the beginning, but always remember you are not alone. And the evidence of all your work will show up louder and louder in the relationship you have with your children as time goes on 💓💓💓

Temperament, interests, emotions, autonomy, parent

Temperament, interests, emotions, autonomy, parent/child dynamic, family routines - these all play a role in how you will potty train your child.

When you are in tune with your toddler’s collection of needs, potty training can be a simpler, calmer, bonding experience, about practice and triumph rather than tantrums, refusal, and chaos.

Grab my FREE Mindful & Peaceful Potty Training Guide linked in bio today 💓

The lessons I continue to learn since becoming a m

The lessons I continue to learn since becoming a mother are the greatest gift for my internal healing, my contentment, and for my greater life purpose 💛✨

I want this for every mom because it’s crucial f

I want this for every mom because it’s crucial for mental wellness 💓

Are you allowing for and creating opportunities to take breaks from your children?

From daily boundaries - mommy needs a little break, I’m going to take 20 minutes of quiet time, let’s get you set up with your popsicle bath/show/coloring book and snack so mom can read a little and drink her warm coffee.

To quarterly plans - next month the hubs and I are asking the in laws to do a “sleepaway camp” with the kids so we can go away for a ski weekend, sans kids.

You get to craft your life. What do you want it to look like? From the daily to the weekly to the monthly stuff?

Be your own biggest advocate and supporter.

How do you w at to feel? How do you want your kids to feel? How do you want to bring your extended family together?

Try this….

Write down the next 3 breaks you have from your children. What intentional soul nourishment are you going to do during that time?

Ie:

1. After I drop them at daycare
2. During nap time
3. Weekend trip just for mom and dad

#mommentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #consciousparenting

Picky eating isn’t a toddler problem - it’s a

Picky eating isn’t a toddler problem - it’s a family problem. Why? Because it won’t be solved alone, it’ll be a team effort. Even if just one parent takes the lead, picky eating can be shifted, and often in under a month.

This isn’t about blame, we are all learning how to do things as we go, and pivoting to adjust to our child’s needs at any given stage.

This is about taking responsibility in the now of wherever you find yourself and your toddler - “how can I lead in this moment? How can I help make sure they get the diversity their body needs?”

It’s all about a teamwork mindset, and us being the adults, we are the leaders.

Picky eating doesn’t have to be the norm, even if it is your norm now.

Preferences, hunger levels - of course will naturally exist as your child’s palette evolves,
sickness comes and goes, and daily moods vary…

But refusing groups of foods, regularly power struggling at mealtimes, only eating the same meal or snacks - this all can be shifted and *we* are the driver.

Taking the wheel and steering your toddler in a different direction isn’t out of reach. In fact, we can take it one little step at a time, where after a handful of steps, we will find ourselves in a completely different place!

If you can spend a few minutes each day reading and exercising some specific techniques with your toddler, grab my FREE Transforming Picky Eating Starter Guide, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to get from where you are to a calmer, more open, adventurous eater 💓💓

You will be amazed at what you can do with your toddler & how simple the process of getting out of picky eating habits can actually be ✨

Mission: no picky toddlers! 😎🤘🏽💓 Let’s get creative, get them involved, keep it wholesome, keep our cool, and watch them thrive as adventurous eaters!

Recipes to each of these in stories or you can DM me 💛

And grab my FREE Transforming Picky Eaters Starter Guide linked in bio for helpful guidance on how to overcome picky eating as a family in 4 weeks or less ✨😍

“I try to be patient. I try to help. I try to te

“I try to be patient. I try to help. I try to tell them to calm down…”

I know you try.

I know you want to be there for your child.

I know it can be confusing & challenging.

Here’s the thing - what you are trying might not be co-regulation, which means you probably aren’t getting the results you see people talk about here on Instagram.

Knowing how to actually co-regulate can be tricky, especially if you were sent away or told to stop crying when you were a child; if in the moment you let your emotions match theirs, or if you try to tell them how to feel/what to do - “It’s not a big deal, calm down.”

Co-regulating is about:
✨Knowing that supporting our child’s nervous system w/yours builds trust, bonding, coping skills, self esteem

✨Knowing why our toddler behaves the way they do so we can have empathy

✨Recognizing Our Triggers (Do your triggers get in the way of your being able to support your child’s emotional needs? Learn more about triggers & how to manage them)

✨Grounding Ourselves Before Approaching Our Child (what’ll help you after you’re triggered? Deep ‘voo’ breaths & saying to myself “I can handle this fairly & calmly” are my go tos. Find what works for you.)

✨Genuine Presence (getting on their level w/cool, confident, helpful energy; playing together)

✨Overriding Their Energy W/Ours (If they’re angry, getting angry at them doesn’t help. My go to is to get eye level & show them me taking a deep breath)

✨Direct Validation (after a breath I say - you’re really mad brother knocked over your tower huh? I’d be upset too)

✨Physical Touch (“want a hug?”)

✨Emotional Contagion + Suggestion (Use your even-keeled or positive energy & offer a suggestion - “hey! I have an idea, want to rebuild together? Or come sit w/me by the fire for a bit?” let them catch your chill vibes)

✨Repairing When We Feel We Didn’t Quite Do It Right (“sorry I said stop crying. It’s ok to cry. Mommy needs a minute & then I can give you a hug, ok?”)

✨Self Care (being the default co-regulator in your family takes lots of energy & awareness, so it’s crucial to recharge & reset, daily. Boundaries, scheduling in alone time & vocalizing what support you need are a great start)

The words we say to our children are the words the

The words we say to our children are the words they’ll begin to repeat to themselves.

The words we say to our children become instilled self-beliefs that guide their actions and behaviors, for a lifetime.

Our children are going to be up against a lot of opinions, criticisms, and negativity in their lives. Make your words, at home, the strongest so they can be resilient and thrive in the world, despite it all.

Imagine a world where more people feel good about themselves from the beginning ✨🥹💓

My NEW Affirmations Coloring Book For Kids Is now available on Amazon 💓 A beautiful reminder that builds sense of self, sense of belonging, and resiliency on each playful coloring page 🌱 link in bio✨

In the first scenario, I bet you’d eventually tr

In the first scenario, I bet you’d eventually try and figure out how to get out of the room or how to keep yourself busy during these punishments, and you’d resent me.

In the second scenario, I bet you’d embark on a journey of self-discovery and awareness and begin to show up as the person and parent you actually want to be more often than not, and you’d be grateful I was there for you as you grew and learned.

#generationaltrauma #cyclebreaker #selfhealingjourney

✨You are an incredible, powerful woman, doing am

✨You are an incredible, powerful woman, doing amazing work for yourself & your child✨ The weight can be heavy and the road can feel treacherous, I know it. And for many of us, we are parenting differently than our partners, so it can feel pretty lonely.

I know the work you’re doing. I see you. I support you 💓💓💓💓

Daily prioritizing grounding moments for ourselves is essential, high-quality self care, our mind and money needs.

Truth.

Please always remember to show up for yourself in this way - for emotional reset moments, even when the timing isn’t ‘perfect’. Motherhood is messy, emotions are messy, this type of grounding emotional self care can be quick and make us feel a little less chaotic inside of our minds and bodies 🫶🏾

Keep showing up for yourself like you do your child 🤍

I promise you, baby. I won’t be perfect at it, b

I promise you, baby. I won’t be perfect at it, but I will be aware, I will repair, I will listen to understand, I’ll apologize, I’ll work on myself, I’ll open myself up to truly get to know you at every stage, I’ll always have your back.

🛑Bullying
to treat (someone) in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion.

🛑Gaslighting
Denying the reality of another person -
Events that occurred, words that were said, invalidation of a persons emotions (you have no right to feel that way, you’re being too sensitive) - Dr. Ramani

❌ You wanna cry? I’ll give you something to cry about!

❌ Stop it, it’s not a big deal. You’re so dramatic.

✅ It’s ok to cry. I need to take a moment, and then I’ll come back once I have my emotions together.

✅ This is a big deal for you. I’m here babe. I can sit with you until you feel better.

Dance with me and celebrate this TRUTH 😆🤘🏽

So many of us had no idea that boundaries were - healthy! Crucial! The highest form of self care!

We’ve been conditioned to be people pleasers (to all but ourselves).

No more. Nah.

It’s a new season for us 🌱💓

We’re going to love on ourselves more, celebrate ourselves more, believe in ourselves more, listen to ourselves more, forgive ourselves more, feed our souls more, and let that inner healing and joy permeate our lives!

Here’s to kindly delivering our boundaries.

Here’s to taking up space.

Here’s to creating a life we are more passionate about and thrilled to live, and to finally realizing the truth that BOUNDARIES ARE BEAUTIFUL!! 😆📣✨

Apologizing is strength, it is love, it is human,

Apologizing is strength, it is love, it is human, it’s healing.

Apologizing is honest, kind, right, freeing.

Receiving an apology makes you feel safe, loved, understood, accepted, seen, closer, free….

We will be all in the wrong, now and again, forever. Apologizing is going to be a part of our life - for all of us. #consciousparenting #consciousparent #toddlerparenting

We understand that our own childhoods have shaped

We understand that our own childhoods have shaped the way we need, react, respond, connect, relate, and love in the world. They shape how we see ourselves and what we believe about the world and the people in it.

From the collection of interactions and traumas we experience, both small and big, we form responses and start to practice coping skills - positive and negative, that become habits we carry through our lifetime.

We know that when we are aware of our emotional state, why we feel the way we do, how we respond and why, we can actively shape and become the type of parent we’d like to be, rather than live in a default, that’s been mostly shaped my others and our experiences…

We know we have the power to show up in the way we’ve always wanted to, no matter than challenges we face with our children by becoming more conscious. 💓

We understand that we will have unique relationships with each of our children. We naturally will be a different parent to each because they are individuals, separate from ourselves, with unique desires, emotions, interests, behaviors, needs….

When we get to know ourselves, our triggers, stay curious about our children’s emotions and behaviors, and focus on building a loving, accepting, nurturing relationship, we will create a bond unlike any other, overflowing with mutual love, trust, and respect.

We are doing the work and reaping the benefits 🌱✨

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life.”
-Akshay Dubey

Who else is in a year of reflection, self exploration and healing, so they can fully live a life more aligned with what their soul needs? 🙋🏽‍♀️✨🤍

Children don’t actually develop this kind of sel

Children don’t actually develop this kind of self-control until 3.5 to 4 years of age, and *even then they still need a lot of help managing their emotions and impulses*. -zerotothree.org

Here’s a quick go-to guide for handling unacceptable behavior in a more conscious way:

👉🏽remember toddlers lack impulse control and still need help practicing the right thing because of natural brain development
👉🏽breathe and get calm, and in ‘leader mode’
👉🏽get eye to eye if possible
👉🏽recognize what happened *before* the unwanted behavior
👉🏽tell them the possible ‘why’ of their behavior
👉🏽give them alternatives and next step guidance
👉🏽calmly tell them ‘let’s try again’, so they can practice what’s right
👉🏽recognize their change in behavior - ‘there you go! That’s how you do it. Great!’

It takes time and teamwork to model and build those skills, and turn them into ingrained habits 💓 This is what the first several years do 🌱

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Also potty training your toddler? These articles will help...

ideas for potty training rewards

12 Best Ideas For Potty Training Rewards (That Toddlers Love!)

potty training a stubborn toddler

Potty Training A Stubborn Toddler: 12 Life-Changing Tips You Need To Know

toddler refuses to sit on potty

Why Your Toddler Refuses To Sit On Potty & What You Can Do

feel like giving up on potty training

Toddler Having Big Feelings During Potty Training? Try These 10 Expert Tips

potty training girls

10 Summer Potty Training Essentials Every Toddler Mom Needs

practical gifts for 1 year olds

4 Best Ways To Introduce Your Toddler to The Potty

how to potty train a stubborn child

4 Expert Tips For Potty Training A Resistant Child

potty training supplies

5 Potty Training Supplies You Haven't Heard About That Are Super Helpful

should i wake my toddler to go pee at night

Should I Wake My Toddler To Pee At Night?

should i potty train with pull ups

Should I Potty Train With Pull Ups?

should I force my toddler to sit on the potty

Should I Force My Toddler To Sit On The Potty?

girl, worried, portrait-738306.jpg

3 Reasons Why Your Toddler Won't Poop In The Potty & What You can Do About It

family, holding hands, parents-1866868.jpg

How To Potty Train When Your Child Is In Daycare

baby, kid, child-2598005.jpg

Get Your Toddler To Sit On The Potty & Stay Longer - 12 Activities That Work

sad, woman, upset-2385795.jpg

19 Reasons Why You May Be Struggling With Potty Training

biggest potty training mistakes

20 Biggest Potty Training Mistakes To Avoid

make potty training less stressful

These 5 Things Can Make Potty Training Less Stressful

child, baby, sleep-3089972.jpg

5 Nighttime Potty Training Tips For Stressed First Time Moms

how often should I remind my toddler to go potty

How Often Should I Remind My Toddler To Go Potty?

tips for potty training

What Potty Training 20+ Toddlers (Including My Own Twins!) Has Taught Me

potty training regression

Potty Training Regressions - Why They Happen & What To Do

If My Toddler Always Says 'No' Does That Mean They Aren't Ready For Potty Training?

potty training boys

Help! I Believe My Toddler Is Capable Of Being Potty Trained But They Just Aren't Interested

potty training special needs

Special Needs Potty Training Tips With Pediatric OT Kristin Smith

potty training toddlers

Things No One Tells You About Potty Training & How To Handle Them

potty training toddler

Indicators Your Toddler Is About To Pee Or Poop - Teaching Urge Awareness

6 Super Helpful Potty Training Supplies That Other Moms Swear By

When To Start Potty Training Your Toddler (so it's easier for all!)

best potty training

How To Set Up A Peace Corner When Potty Training Your Emotional Toddler

How To Get Your Toddler To Pee And Poop IN The Potty

potty training problems

What To Do If Your Toddler Gets Constipated During Potty-Training

Everything You Will Need In Place For Low Stress Potty Training

potty training tips

How To Handle Fear During Potty-Training

family, kids, baby

How To Potty Train Like A Pro - The Peaceful Potty Training Method

Know exactly what you can do to make change, peacefully. Say goodbye to mealtime stress, fuss and fights, for good.

picky eating articles you'll love...

why your toddler is a picky eater and how you can help change their eating habits in 4 weeks

There are 3 main causes of pickiness. And, there are some tweaks we can make to see change. Research shows that everything from social influence to…

FREE guide for transforming picky eating & more

Picky Eating

Get your free guide here.

Potty-Training

Get your free guide here.

Toddler Tantrums

Get your free script here.

how to get your picky eater to try new foods

The Low Stress Motherhood approach to transforming picky eating is achieved by taking a teaching approach. Let’s take a look at what that means…

3 fuss-free ways to add protein to your toddler's food

Coming Soon

5 ways to add more vegetables to foods your toddler loves - without changing the flavor

Coming Soon

EXACTLY how you can transform your picky eater: a 4-week plan

I am going to show you exactly how you can help your child discover more foods they like with a proven, step-by-step process, so you can enjoy more peace of mind at mealtimes…

Want complete support with Picky Eating? Consider the complete Peaceful Transforming Picky Eaters Starter Kit that Includes...

The Transforming Picky Eaters eBook
A Simplified 4-Week Plan To Follow
A Mindset Prep Checklist
Supply List
Script Wording For Common Challenges

come get daily tips on instagram

daily inspiration for low-stress motherhood

feel prepared and equipped, and calm that stress.

love, mother, baby

Low Stress Motherhood