Little Eaters & Talkers

If your baby has suddenly started refusing the breast and everyone keeps telling you it's "just a nursing strike," this episode is for you. Sometimes it is a nursing strike. Sometimes it's the beginning of a feeding aversion — and the difference matters, because what helps one can make the other worse. Jean Hawney, M.A., CCC-SLP, a pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist and...

You said it before you even heard yourself say it. Just one bite. And the whole table changed. Their shoulders came up. The fork went down. The food that was almost, maybe okay a second ago is suddenly the enemy. And dinner is over before it started. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, explains what that one sentence actually does to a chil...

You packed it carefully. The sandwich cut the way they like it. The crackers in the separate container so they don't get soggy. The fruit on the side. You knew exactly what was in that bag when you zipped it shut at seven-thirty. And then the lunchbox comes home. Same sandwich. Same crackers. Same fruit. All of it. And when you ask how lunch was, they shrug and say the cafeteria was loud. In t...

If you've ever been told to "wait and see" while your gut said something more was going on, this episode is for you. Jaime became a mom in about three hours — one phone call, one flight, and an infant adoption. What followed was a month in the NICU, an NG tube, a tongue-tie nobody caught early, a bottle aversion, and a daughter who kept falling off the growth chart while everyone told her to add m...

You sat in that office for eleven minutes. You waited three weeks for that appointment. And when you finally said the words out loud, "I'm worried about how my child is eating," they looked up from the clipboard and said, "That's pretty normal. Just keep offering different foods. They'll grow out of it." You walked out to the parking lot wondering if you had imagined the whole thing. In this episo...

If you've ever been told your child is "just a picky eater" but your gut says it's more than that, this episode is for you. ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is so much more than having a short list of "safe foods." Feeding specialist Kelly Komisaruk joins Jean Hawney, M.A., CCC-SLP, to explain what ARFID really is, why traditional feeding therapy often...

You followed the advice. You kept offering the broccoli. You put it on the plate again and again for two years. Mealtime is now something everyone in your house dreads — and your child still won't touch it. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, explains why the standard advice completely backfires for sensory-sensitive kids — and what to...

You took your child to speech therapy for the talking. You were told to just keep offering food for the eating. Two separate waitlists, two separate specialists, zero conversation about how they might actually be the same problem. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, explains the connection between feeding and speech that most families never...

Your pediatrician said "they'll grow out of it." You kept offering new foods. You took the pressure off. And two years later, the list of foods your child will eat is shorter — not longer. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, breaks down ARFID — Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder — in plain language. Not the clinical version. The real...

"You might want to look into OT." Your pediatrician said it. You nodded. You took the paper. And then you Googled it and got a bunch of results about adults recovering from strokes. April is Occupational Therapy Month, and in this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, finally gives you the clear, honest answer that nobody seems to hand pare...

"They’ll grow out of it." "Just keep offering it." "It’s just a phase." If you’re a parent of a toddler who only eats five foods, you’ve probably heard these phrases a dozen times. But what if your gut is telling you it’s something more? In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, dives deep into the single most-search...

Is feeding time ending in tears for both you and your baby? You aren't failing, and you aren't alone. In this episode, Jean Hawney, SLP and founder of The Little Eaters & Talkers , breaks down the emotional cycle of bottle aversion and how to rebuild trust at the table. What’s inside: Aversion vs. Refusal: Learn to spot the difference between a lack of skill and a learned fear response...

In this episode, Jean Hawney, pediatric SLP, feeding specialist, and CLC, breaks down the key points from her 2025 ASHA Convention presentation on breastfeeding and dysphagia —in a way that feels clear, compassionate, and truly parent-friendly. You’ll learn what dysphagia looks like in infants, why breastfeeding can feel harder for babies with swallow challenges, and most importantly, how breastfe...

In this episode, pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist Jean Hawney shares how families can play an active role in their child’s feeding rehabilitation after a brain injury. Recorded in preparation for the Team Luke Hope for Minds Conference in Austin, Texas, Jean discusses what brain injury means—both traumatic and acquired—and how it can impact swallowing, oral-motor coordination, and self-...

In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month , Jean Hawney, pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist, explores the unique feeding challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. From breastfeeding difficulties and oral-motor coordination to transitioning to solids, Jean breaks down the “why” behind these challenges and how early feeding therapy can make a lasting difference. Whether you’re a pare...

Feeding time shouldn’t feel like a battle — but for many families, bottle aversion turns mealtimes into moments of stress and worry. In this episode, Jean Hawney, speech pathologist, feeding specialist, and lactation counselor, explains what bottle aversion really is, the red flags parents should watch for, and why it happens. You’ll hear a real family story, learn simple first steps to rebuild tr...

The journey from baby’s first spoonfuls to confident toddler bites is full of messy, joyful, and sometimes frustrating moments. In this episode, pediatric speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist Jean Hawney shares simple, practical ways parents can set the stage for happy, adventurous eaters between 6–24 months. Learn how early feeding skills, sensory play, and mealtime routines can hel...

Is your baby refusing the bottle? Or maybe you’re wondering when and how to introduce one while breastfeeding? In this episode, Jean Hawney, Speech-Language Pathologist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, breaks down the differences between breastfeeding and bottle feeding and shares practical tips to help parents feel confident. You’ll learn: When to introduce a bottle (weight...

Traveling with kids can be magical... and messy — especially when it comes to mealtimes! In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned as both a feeding therapist and a mom while traveling with my own little eaters this summer. Whether you’re introducing solids, managing toddler pickiness, or encouraging older kids to try new foods abroad, I’ve got practical tips, stories from the road, and a the...

Traveling with babies or toddlers? Whether you’re heading on a road trip, hopping on a plane, or planning a family getaway, feeding your little one on the go can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re dealing with picky eating or starting solids. In this episode, Jean shares practical, low-stress tips for feeding babies and toddlers while traveling, including how to manage meals without high chair...

Feeding your baby shouldn’t feel confusing. In this episode, an SLP and an IBCLC team up to talk about feeding red flags, tongue and lip ties, therapy before and after a frenectomy, and why a team approach helps babies thrive. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or just want to feel more confident—this one’s for you. www.thelittleeaters.com https://soslactation.com/

Feeding Therapy: When to Ask for Help Feeding is one of the most emotional parts of parenting—and when it’s not going smoothly, it can be hard to know when to ask for help. In this episode, Jean Hawney, pediatric feeding therapist and lactation consultant, breaks down the signs that your baby or toddler might benefit from feeding therapy. Whether you're dealing with bottle refusal, picky eatin...

In this inspiring episode of Little Eaters & Talkers , Jean Hawney — founder of Little Eaters & Talkers, feeding therapist, and feeding specialist — sits down with Bailey from West U Pediatric Dentistry to share her personal journey into the world of feeding therapy. From the early spark that led her down this path to the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way, Jean opens up about...

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Villante, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and founder of Oak Forest Behavioral Solutions, to talk about how ABA therapists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can collaborate to support children with autism. We explore how behavior and communication intersect, how ABA can complement feeding therapy, and what true interdisciplinary teamwork loo...

In this heartfelt and informative episode, Jean Hawney sits down with a parent who shares her family’s personal journey with autism and feeding challenges. Together, they unpack early red flags, the myths that often surround autism and nutrition, and why early intervention can make all the difference. You’ll hear: The real-life struggles and breakthroughs of one family navigating autism Common mis...