Nutrition for the Early Years

Send us Fan Mail 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 The 3-Step Framework : How to evaluate any formula using Dr...

Send us Fan Mail 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 approa...

Send us Fan Mail 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 meconiu...

Send us Fan Mail 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 rea...

Send us Fan Mail 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 whi...

Send us Fan Mail 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: Why I ask about milk at every well-child visit The nutrients most kids are actually low in (hint: it’s not protein) Why vitamin D and calcium matter for bone growth, immune regulation, and m...

Send us Fan Mail 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,...

Send us Fan Mail 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, immun...

Send us Fan Mail 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. NEW COURSE! "Read the Pattern: Feeding Your Baby 0–4 Months" — b...

Send us Fan Mail 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 with...

Send us Fan Mail 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 supple...

Send us Fan Mail 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 identi...

Send us Fan Mail Breastfeeding doesn’t always go as planned—and when it doesn’t, many parents are left carrying unnecessary guilt, shame, and confusion about formula feeding. In this episode of The Lunchbox Reformation, I explore the emotional and clinical realities of breastfeeding struggles, supplementation, and transitioning to formula. Drawing from my own experience as a new mom in medical tra...

Send us Fan Mail What you eat postpartum supports the breastfeeding parent more than breastmilk itself. Dr. Liz Daniels explains postpartum nutrition, breastmilk composition, and which nutrients truly matter for recovery and infant health. Postpartum nutrition is often framed as a way to “optimize” breastmilk—but that framing creates unnecessary pressure for parents. In this episode of The Lunchbo...

Send us Fan Mail Feeding your kids has a way of stirring up your own childhood food memories—old wounds, fears, and the pressure to “get it right.” In this first episode of The Lunchbox Reformation, Dr. Liz Daniels shares her origin story and why pediatric nutrition must go far beyond labels, ingredients, and rigid rules. As a board-certified pediatrician and registered dietitian, Dr. Liz reflects...