Nutrition for the Early Years

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 pe...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 s...

Send us Fan Mail 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, pelvi...

Send us Fan Mail 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 need...

Send us Fan Mail 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 p...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 fr...

Send us Fan Mail 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 th...

Send us Fan Mail 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 brea...

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...