Why Connection During Feeding Shapes a Child’s Relationship with Food
Establishing a strong connection during feeding is crucial for developing a positive relationship with food in children. In this episode of The Livin’Sky Podcast, I dive into the importance of connection during breastfeeding or bottle feeding—a key factor in shaping a child’s perception of food as they grow. This initial bonding experience fosters security, comfort, and joy around mealtime, creating a solid foundation for healthy eating habits.
Feeding isn’t just about nourishment—it’s about deep connection. Whether through eye contact, skin-to-skin contact, or one-on-one interaction, these moments help a child associate food with positive emotions and safety. On the flip side, stress, discomfort, or negative feeding experiences can contribute to feeding aversions and disorders later on. By prioritizing connection during feeding, parents can help their children develop a healthy, stress-free relationship with food.
Is Your Baby Ready for Solids? Recognizing the Signs
Introducing solids at the right time is key to preventing feeding issues. In this episode, I emphasize the importance of waiting for developmental signs before starting solids. Some of the most important signs of readiness include:
✔️ Sitting up with minimal support
✔️ Keeping their head upright and steady during meals
✔️ Grabbing objects and bringing them to their mouth
Waiting for these signs ensures that a baby is physically prepared, reducing the risk of choking, gagging, or negative associations with feeding. Starting solids too early can lead to digestive issues, unhealthy weight gain, and feeding difficulties later in life. By following developmentally appropriate cues, parents can set their child up for a smooth transition to solid foods and foster lifelong healthy eating habits.
Expanding Flavor Palates Early On
Exposing children to a variety of flavors and textures from an early age is essential for shaping their eating habits. Babies have a unique flavor window—up to about 18 months—where they are more receptive to new tastes. This is the perfect time to introduce sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami flavors to expand their palate.
Instead of relying on fruit purees and store-bought baby food, I encourage parents to incorporate nutrient-dense whole foods, such as:
🥩 Meats & bone broth (rich in iron & collagen)
🍳 Liver & eggs (packed with essential vitamins)
🥦 Vegetables & fruits (for vitamins & antioxidants)
I also highlight the importance of choosing organic, grass-fed, and pasture-raised options whenever possible, avoiding store-bought baby food that may contain added sugars, artificial ingredients, or heavy metals.
By exposing children to diverse, nutrient-rich foods early on, parents can help prevent picky eating, support healthy development, and foster a lifelong appreciation for nutritious meals.
Final Thoughts
This episode of The Livin’Sky Podcast underscores the power of connection, the importance of developmental readiness for solids, and the value of introducing a variety of flavors to shape a child’s relationship with food. By being intentional during feeding, parents can lay the groundwork for healthy eating habits, food confidence, and a lifetime of joyful mealtimes.
🎧 Tune in now to listen to the full episode!
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Time Stamps:
[00:00:33] Foundations of feeding for kids. [00:05:08] Signs of readiness for solids. [00:11:00] Baby’s first solid foods. [00:13:39] Babies’ gag reflexes. [00:18:21] Exposure to different flavors. [00:19:55] Adventurous eating [00:25:39] Picky eater behaviors and statistics. [00:27:15] Feeding disorders in children
