Discerning Parenting
Are there days you feel youâve had it with the sleepless nights, the temper tantrums, the constant fatigue of trying to keep up with an active baby?
Does it feel like youâre always working so hard as a parent, trying to do everything for your kids and family, and yet it never feels enough?
We get it. You love your child more than anything, and yet parenting is also exhausting and challenging. Especially when youâre bombarded with criticism and pressure to be the perfect parent (which, spoiler alert, does not exist!).
But what if you had experts who understand exactly what youâre going through help you navigate the everyday challenges of parenting your baby, toddler, or preschooler? What if they help you use scientific research to your advantage, so you become the calmer, happier, and more empowered parent youâve always wanted to be?
That's why we created "Discerning Parenting," the podcast that helps you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters in your parenting journey.
Join Dr. Victoria Ang-Nolasco, developmental and behavioral pediatrician, positive parenting coach, author, speaker, and mom, as she and our guest experts tackle your most pressing parenting concerns.
From toddler discipline to helping kids learn to talk or to read, from starting solids and potty training to promoting social and emotional development, this podcast is jam-packed with valuable insights and practical tips specifically tailored for parents of kids age 5 and below. So join us and discover how you can use the combined power of science, knowing your child, and your own intuition in making the best parenting decisions for you and your family.
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Discerning Parenting
102 - Picky Eating or Normal Toddler Food Refusal? What Parents Can Do - with Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari
đŠââď¸ Guest:
Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari, pediatrician and gut health specialist, and mom of four!
đź Description:
Is your child refusing food, only eating white-colored meals, or taking forever to finish a plate? You're not alone! In this practical and judgment-free episode, pediatrician and mom Dr. Paula explains the different types of picky eatersâand what parents can do about it.
đŁď¸ Questions We Asked Dr. Paula:
- What's the difference between normal toddler food preferences and true picky eating?
- What are the different kinds of picky eaters youâve seen?
- Is threatening or bribing kids to eat effective?
- What happens during a consultation with a feeding specialist or pediatrician?
- Why is advice like âjust starve them, theyâll eatâ potentially harmful?
- Whatâs food chainingâand how can parents try it at home?
- What are better alternatives to hiding vegetables or bribing kids with candy?
- Is snacking okay?
đĄ Key Takeaways:
- There are different types of picky eaters, so there's no one-size-fits-all.
- Food refusal may signal deeper issues, like sensory sensitivity or underlying medical/developmental concerns.
- Strategies such as food chaining can help kids accept new foods by gradually transitioning from familiar ones.
- Avoid bribing or threateningâbuild positive mealtime experiences instead.
- Watch out for red flags like weight loss, very limited food variety, or mealtime stress affecting family life.
đ More Resources:
https://discerningparenting.com/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-a-picky-eater/
https://discerningparenting.com/encouragement-for-moms-of-picky-eaters/
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The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ââmust never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.