Conquering Picky Eating & Starting Solids: Expert Advice from a Pediatric Feeding Therapist

Send us Fan Mail If dinner with your kids currently feels like an extreme sport, take a deep breath—you are not doing it wrong, and you are definitely not alone. In this episode of Help, I Have Kids, host and pediatric OT Nicole Haney sit down for an honest chat about one of the most stressful parts of parenting: feeding our little ones. From the anxiety of starting solids to the toddler stage where suddenly only goldfish and fruit roll-ups are accepted, we’re unpacking what’s actually normal and how to get through it without losing your mind. What we're diving into: Starting Solids Without the Panic: How to handle purees, table foods, and the difference between normal gagging vs. choking. Winning the Picky Eating Battles: Real-life OT tricks to get your toddler to tolerate new foods (without forcing "just one more bite"). Ending the Power Struggles: Why kids use food for control and how simple boundaries like the "Division of Responsibility" bring peace back to the table. Practical Mealtime Hacks: Fun ways to present food, avoiding the "grazer" trap, and why screen-free meals are worth the effort. Knowing When to Call in Support: Red flags to look for and how feeding therapy can help your family thrive. Put down the third plate of rejected nuggets you just warmed up, hit play, and let’s turn mealtime meltdowns into small wins! Connect with Us & Get Extra Support: Need hands-on feeding support? If you're in the Lexington area and want individualized help for your child, reach out to Nicole and the expert feeding team at Marshall Pediatric Therapy. Visit them online at marshallpediatrictherapy.com to learn more or schedule an evaluation. Follow the Pod: Stay connected for more practical parenting tips by following us on Instagram @helpihavekidspodcast. Follow Marshall Pediatric Therapy: Get daily pediatric OT, PT, speech, and feeding tips by following @marshallpediatrictherapy on Instagram. Support the show