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Feeding a grandbaby? A lot has changed since you had babies, and it’s not your fault.

In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels (pediatrician and registered dietitian) walks through an antiquated baby food book to show what’s changed in starting solids. She also explains what’s still important, and how grandparents can support the way their adult children want to feed their babies.

In this episode:

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Could grandparents play a key role in preventing food allergies in babies? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares a practical, reassuring guide to introducing common allergens like peanuts and eggs. Discover why food allergy recommendations have changed, how early exposure may lower allergy risks, and why babies with eczema may benefit the most. Through a heartwarming family story, Dr. Liz explains how grandparents can support parents and make allergen introduction a positive experience. She also covers safe ways to offer allergenic foods, how often to introduce...

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What if the first drops of milk your baby receives could help protect them from infection and support their developing immune system? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels talks with researcher, inventor, and human milk advocate Elena Medo about what makes colostrum and breast milk so remarkable. They discuss the immune-supporting parts of human milk, common breastfeeding worries, milk supply after a premature birth, and what parents should know about freezing, storing, and handling expressed milk. Elena also explains important differences between breast milk, formula, and donor...

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What if raising a great eater is less about what your child eats and more about how you approach food? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels shares three habits she sees in families with confident eaters: trusting kids’ hunger cues, setting loving food boundaries, and modeling a genuine enjoyment of vegetables. She also offers reassurance for parents of picky eaters, especially during ages 2 to 7, with practical ways to reduce mealtime pressure, stop counting bites, and build a healthier relationship with food as a family.

What You’ll Learn:

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What if your child is getting enough hours of sleep but still isn’t getting the quality sleep their body needs? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels sits down with pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Michelle Hjelm to talk about what healthy sleep looks like in kids, what can disrupt it, and why iron and ferritin sometimes play a role. They break down restless sleep, periodic limb movements, sleep apnea, and the signs parents may notice during the day, including irritability, tiredness, and trouble focusing. Dr. Hjelm also explains when a sl...

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What if school lunch is doing more for your child, and your community, than you realize? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels breaks down the National School Lunch Program, from its history and nutrition standards to what actually lands on a child’s tray today. She explains how school meals support millions of children, why fruit, vegetables, milk, and fortified foods matter, and how school lunch can affect food security, learning, and health. Dr. Liz also compares a real school lunch with her son’s packed lunch, shares three practical ways she handles scho...

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What if packing the “perfect” school lunch is creating more stress than it’s worth? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels shares her own experience with school lunch guilt, wasted food, picky eating, and the pressure to make every meal healthy. She explains why kids may eat very differently at school, how friendships and busy lunchrooms can affect appetite, and why an unfinished lunchbox is not a reflection of your parenting. You’ll learn four practical ways to lower the mental load, including talking with teachers, visiting your child at lunch, creating a simple l...

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How can we help our kids feel confident in their bodies when diet culture, social media, AI, and beauty messages are everywhere? Pediatrician and author Dr. Whitney Casares joins Dr. Liz Daniels to share practical ways parents can build healthier conversations around food, movement, appearance, and self-worth. Whitney opens up about her own history with diet culture, what she learned about food noise and GLP-1 medications, and why body confidence matters more than expecting kids to feel positive about their bodies every day. They also discuss what to say when a child criticizes...

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Could vitamin D be one of the few supplements your child actually needs? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why vitamin D matters for growing bones, immune health, and long-term bone strength. She breaks down how much babies, toddlers, older kids, and adults typically need, why breastfed babies often require supplementation, and how fortified milk, fatty fish, and sunlight contribute. You’ll also learn why cheese and yogurt may not provide the vitamin D you expect, how D3 compares with D2, and why sunlight alone may no...

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What if one of the simplest ways to support your child’s gut, digestion, and long-term health is something most families are not getting enough of? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Liz Daniels breaks down why fiber deserves more attention, not just when constipation becomes a problem, but as part of everyday prevention. She explains soluble and insoluble fiber, how fiber feeds healthy gut bacteria, and why whole foods often offer more benefits than gummies and powders. You’ll also learn easy ways to add more fiber through oats, beans, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and...

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Could your child’s multivitamin be giving you peace of mind without actually fixing the nutrient gaps you’re worried about? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why multivitamins are not “vegetable insurance” and what growing kids truly need for healthy development. She breaks down the role of carbs, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and key nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, potassium, and omega-3s. You’ll also learn why food can offer nutrients in ways supplements often cannot, plus simple ways to improve your child...

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Will family dinner ever feel peaceful again? Dr. Liz Daniels explains how picky eating, parental worry, and pressure can create a stressful cycle at the table. The good news is that parents can help break that cycle without cooking separate meals or forcing one more bite. In this episode, Dr. Daniels shares four practical shifts: trust children to decide how much they eat, create a warm invitation to the table, release expectations about what they must eat, and use calm, objective language. She also offers simple ideas such as mealtime songs, fun table...

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Could your toddler have low iron even when you are offering healthy, iron-rich foods? Dr. Liz Daniels shares her personal experience with her son’s low hemoglobin and explains why iron deficiency is common, treatable, and never a sign that a parent has failed. You will learn why borderline hemoglobin should not be ignored, how iron supports brain development and growth, and why food alone may not correct an existing deficiency. Dr. Liz also explains the difference between ferritin and hemoglobin, when supplements may be needed, and why breastfed babies can face a hi...

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Could your baby’s fussiness, spit-up, or unusual stools really be caused by cow milk protein allergy, or is dairy being blamed too quickly? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels explains what cow milk protein allergy, or CMPA, is, how it differs from a true IgE dairy allergy, and why normal newborn digestion can look like a food reaction. She shares the key signs parents should watch for, how CMPA is properly diagnosed through dairy removal and reintroduction, and why cutting dairy too soon may create more confusion. You’ll also learn about gent...

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What if your baby’s constant spit-up is normal, even when it looks like a lot? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, host Dr. Liz explains why babies spit up, how their growing digestive systems play a role, and why many cases are simply a messy laundry problem. She shares how to tell common reflux from warning signs such as poor growth, swallowing trouble, and true projectile vomiting. Dr. Liz also clears up fears about babies choking during sleep, explains why back sleeping remains safest, and discusses why antacids are no...

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What if the nutrition choices you worry about most are not the ones that matter most? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares seven common feeding mistakes parents make during the baby and toddler years. With warmth and honesty, she explains why multivitamins are not always the answer for picky eaters, how kid-friendly leftovers can add to parent guilt, and why oral care should start as soon as teeth come in. She also talks about juice, flavored drinks, salt fears, food labels, and the need for parents...

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Could a few simple foods help close common nutrition gaps in your one-year-old’s diet? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels shares the five foods she wishes every family knew about as babies grow from breast milk or formula into toddlerhood. She explains why the first 1,000 days matter so much for brain growth, immune support, and long-term development, while reminding parents that perfection is not the goal. You’ll learn why fatty fish, seeds, eggs, beans, and whole milk can make a big difference, especially for nutrients like iron, DHA, vitamin E, choline, fibe...

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Is added sugar really the problem, or is it the way it quietly shows up in everyday kid foods? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares clear, caring guidance for parents who want to understand added sugar without fear or shame. She explains why babies under two do not need added sugar, how sugar can affect teeth, gut health, appetite, and long-term health, and why the weekly donut date may not be the biggest concern. You’ll hear where added sugar often hides, including flavored yogurt, drinks, ce...

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Is your newborn getting enough milk, or are you stuck watching every feed, diaper, and sleepy stretch with worry? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares clear, caring guidance for parents in the first days and weeks of newborn feeding. She explains why advice can change from day to day, what normal newborn weight loss looks like, when milk usually comes in, and why very sleepy babies may need extra support. You’ll hear how jaundice, latch, wet diapers, poop, weight checks, and supplementation all fit together. Dr...

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What if the perfect baby food plate is not what your baby needs most? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels talks with Kim Grenawitzke and Kary Rappaport from Solid Starts about introducing solids to baby with less fear and more confidence. They answer common parent questions like “when to start solid foods for baby,” “when should babies start eating solids?” and “when can babies eat baby food?” You’ll hear what is baby led weaning, why chewing skills matter, how gagging can be part of learning, and how to think a...

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Is postpartum healing less about “bouncing back” and more about building strength for the long run?

In this episode, Dr. Liz talks with postpartum fitness and nutrition expert Val Warner about what moms really need after birth and beyond. Val explains why moms are technically forever postpartum, and why healing takes more than a six-week checkup. You’ll learn how breathwork, pelvic floor care, core rebuilding, strength training, and enough food all work together to support recovery. Val also clears up common myths, including the idea that every mom needs more Kegels...

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Is your toddler refusing meat and reaching for carbs and fruit instead?

In this episode, Dr. Liz helps parents breathe easier about toddler protein needs. She explains why young kids usually need far less protein than many parents think, and why carbohydrates play such an important role in growth, brain development, and energy. You’ll learn how toddlers can meet their protein needs through simple foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, beans, nut butters, grains, and seeds. Dr. Liz also shares what to do when kids refuse meat, why protein shakes ar...

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If snack time feels like it has taken over your whole day, what if the problem is not your toddler, but the lack of a clear rhythm?

In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why toddlers ask for snacks so often, why their hunger can feel unpredictable, and how parents can bring calm structure back to the day. She shares how to create a simple snack rhythm, build balanced toddler plates, and offer food in a way that supports hunger cues without turning every request into a battle. You’ll also le...

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If you have ever wondered whether goat milk formula is only a backup plan, or if it can be a safe first choice, this episode is for you.

Goat milk infant formula is newer to many parents in the U.S., but it is not a “last resort” option. In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels sits down with Dr. Ari Brown, a board-certified pediatrician and Baby 411 author, to talk through how goat milk formula compares to cow milk formula and breast milk.

They cover safety, FDA standards, digestion, protein stru...

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If your kid plays a sport and is also a picky eater — this episode is 
for you.

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is showing up more 
and more in young athletes, and the patterns almost always start years 
before anyone names them. The 14-year-old recovering from her second 
stress fracture? Her food restriction started at age three or four.

In this episode, I sit down with Katie Syvarth, RD, CSSD — a board-
certified sports dietitian based in Kentucky — to walk through what 
ARFID actua...

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If the idea of introducing peanut butter to your baby sends your heart rate up — this episode is for you.

As a pediatrician and registered dietitian, I've sat across from families who are genuinely terrified of allergen introduction. Their fear makes complete sense. But fear doesn't get the final vote. A plan does.

In this episode, I walk you through two real families from my practice, the landmark science that completely changed how we introduce allergens, and exactly what to do based on your baby's individual risk — so you can...

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Episode 17 | Body Image Issues Start at Age 5 — What Parents Can Do Right Now

Here's something that stops parents in their tracks when I say it in clinic: body image concerns can show up as early as age 5. Not 13. Not even 10. Five.

That means by the time most of us think we need to start "the conversation," our kids have already been building a relationship with their bodies for years — shaped by what they hear, what they see, and what happens around food at home.

This episode isn't abou...

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Episode 16 | Why Kids Have Big Feelings They Can't Explain: Understanding Interoception

Have you ever watched your child completely fall apart — hungry, overwhelmed, or just off — and they couldn't tell you why? They weren't being dramatic. Their nervous system literally didn't have the language yet.

That's interoception. And in this episode, I'm breaking it all the way down.

Interoception is your body's ability to sense what's happening inside — hunger, fullness, a racing heart, a tight chest, the need to move. It's the sixth sense nobody talks about, and it tur...

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Overwhelmed by the formula aisle? Dr. Liz Daniels, pediatrician and registered dietitian, shares her practical 3-step framework for choosing baby formula with confidence. This episode cuts through the conflicting advice to help you understand what really matters when selecting formula for your baby.

What You'll Learn

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Did you know your baby's veggie preferences start forming before their first bite of solid food? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels explores the fascinating science of flavor development, from pregnancy through the toddler years. Learn practical strategies to help your little one actually enjoy vegetables, understand the "beige stage," and discover why cultural approaches to baby feeding offer valuable lessons.

Key Topics Covered:

Early Flavor Development

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Newborn Poop 101: What’s Normal, When to Worry, and Why Baby Strains

Wondering if your newborn’s poop is normal? In this episode, I break down newborn and infant poop—what’s normal, what’s not, and when you actually need to worry.

As a pediatrician and registered dietitian, I walk you through what to expect in the first days and weeks of life, including the transition from meconium (black, sticky stool) to typical yellow stools, and how often newborns should poop. I explain why it’s common for s...

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Starting Solids: What to Know Before You Begin

In this foundational episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, I walk you through the stage before starting solids—because introducing food is about more than just the first bite.

If your baby is approaching the 4–6 month window, or you want to feel more confident before starting solids, this episode is for you. I break down what readiness actually looks like, how nutrition needs begin to change in infancy, and how I think through common questions like rice cereal, alle...

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What do you do when your kid refuses milk?

Milk is one of the easiest ways to deliver calcium, protein, and vitamin D to growing kids. But kids are kids—and sometimes they just don’t like it.

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how I approach this situation in clinic with families.  Because the goal isn’t forcing milk.

The goal is meeting your child where they are while still covering the nutrition they need to grow well.

I share...

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Milk for kids: does it really “do a body good”?

In this episode, I break down the science behind milk in childhood nutrition so you can support your littles growth with ease.

We’ll talk about:

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Your toddler won’t eat meat. They push away vegetables. They live on fruit, crackers, milk, and the occasional bite of something random — and now you’re wondering if they’re getting enough protein, enough iron, enough for their brain development. Maybe your pediatrician mentioned a multivitamin with iron. Maybe you’ve already Googled “iron deficiency in toddlers”.

In this episode, I take you behind one very common question I hear in clinic: “My toddler is picky. Should I give a multivitamin?” But as we unpack it, you’ll see that it’s rarely just abo...

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Do babies need probiotics?

In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, I’m breaking down what the evidence actually says about probiotics in infancy, newborn nutrition, and infant gut health.

I get asked about this all the time — especially in those early weeks when babies are gassy, fussy, stooling differently, or just hard to read. Parents want to support digestion, immune health, growth and development, and allergy prevention. But the claims around probiotics can feel confusing.

This episode walks you through the same conversation I have...

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Protein is everywhere in kids’ food—but how much do children actually need? In this episode of The Lunchbox Reformation, I explain pediatric protein needs from ages 1–8, why toddlers often get enough protein without trying, and how adult high-protein trends can create unnecessary stress around kids’ eating.

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Picky eaters don’t automatically need multivitamins—and in this episode of The Lunchbox Reformation, pediatrician and dietitian Dr. Liz Daniels explains how to tell the difference between real nutrient gaps and normal toddler eating patterns. Learn which nutrients actually matter for kids’ growth, what multivitamins typically miss, and how everyday foods can support nutrition without added stress or guilt.

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If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, pumping, or worried about your milk supply, this episode is for you.

Lactation supplements—foods, herbs, and products marketed to increase breast milk—are everywhere. From lactation cookies and brewer’s yeast to fenugreek teas and moringa capsules, parents are often told these supplements are the key to making “more milk.” But do lactation supplements actually work?

In this episode of The Lunchbox Reformation, I walk through what the science really says about common lactation supplements—and why many don’t live up to the marketing.<...

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In this episode, I explain newborn digestion and feeding in the first month of life, including breastmilk, formula, poop patterns, reflux, and why uncertainty is normal. Learn what’s developing inside your baby’s gut and how confidence comes with time—not perfect tracking.

00:00 – Welcome & Why the First Month Feels So Confusing

Why tracking feeds, poop, and sleep helps identify patterns—but rarely provides day-to-day certainty in the newborn stage.

03:30 – You’re Not Doing It Wrong: Newborn Immaturity Explained

Why even highly informed parents feel unsure, and ho...