The Airplane Spoon Podcast: Real questions and Real stories about Feeding Children

A question I get often: should you cook with your child, and how do you actually do it without it turning into chaos? Short answer: yes, you should — and it gets much easier once you adjust a few expectations. This episode walks through three parts: what adults need to expect from themselves, how to simplify the process to set everyone up for success, and what to realistically expect from your chi...

In this episode, Sarina Murrell, feeding therapist and director of The Airplane Spoon, answers a question she's heard again and again this week: why does a child gag the instant any bit of solid food lands in their mouth? She breaks down the protective role of the gag reflex, why mixing purees with lumps can backfire, what "lateralization" means and why it matters, how sensory differences (includi...

Your child won't eat fresh apples—but what about applesauce? Apple juice? Freeze-dried apple chips? In this episode, we explore food forms as legitimate variation : how the same ingredient (apples, carrots, chicken, rice) can show up in different sensory and behavioral ways, and why that matters for feeding. This isn't about hiding food or tricking your child. It's about recognizing that feeding i...

If your child could live on crackers, pretzels, chips, and cookies — this episode is for you. I break down why so many kids are drawn to crunchy foods, and it goes deeper than just preference: crunch is actually a biological signal. Our brains evolved to find crunch appealing because it meant food was fresh, safe, and nutritious. A crisp apple, a snappy carrot, a fresh green bean — crunch is natur...

Most parents spend a lot of time thinking about what to put on their child's plate. But what about what we say about the food once it gets there? In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down how the language we use around food — the names we give it, the words we use to describe it, and the emotions we attach to it — shapes how children feel about eating in ways that go far deeper...

One of the most common — and most important — questions parents have about feeding their children is: is my child gagging or choking? In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down the difference between these two very different responses, what they look like, and what you should (and shouldn't) do in each moment. In this episode you'll learn: Why gagging is a normal, protective ref...

Bottle feeding looks simple — but there's a lot more to it than most parents are ever told. In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down everything she wishes every family knew about bottle feeding from the start: why nipple flow matters more than most people realize, a technique called paced feeding that can make a real difference for fussy or reflux-y babies, and what to do when...

Walk into any baby store and the cup aisle alone can feel completely overwhelming. Sippy cups, straw cups, open cups, valved cups, 360 cups — how are parents supposed to know what's actually best? In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down the most common cup types, explains what's actually happening inside your child's mouth with each one, and gives practical, age-by-age guidan...

Every well-child visit starts the same way — your child gets measured, a dot gets plotted, and suddenly you're staring at a percentile number wondering if you should be worried. In this episode, feeding therapist Sarina Murrell breaks down what growth charts actually measure, how they were built, and — just as importantly — what they can't tell us about how your child is really doing with food. In...

Getting your child to stay at the table can feel like one of the most exhausting parts of mealtimes. In this episode, I talk about why children struggle to sit still — and what you can actually do about it. Spoiler: it's almost never just about behavior. What You'll Learn Why sitting at the table supports digestion, nutrition, and family connection How physical comfort (seating position and setup)...

Many parents wonder if children should only eat bland foods, or if it’s okay to introduce stronger flavors like spicy or sour. In this episode, Sarina shares real stories from feeding therapy to explain why strong flavors are not off-limits for children —and how curiosity, exposure, and supportive language can help children safely explore new tastes. You’ll learn how to introduce bold flavors in a...

Many parents wonder why their child refuses foods like banana or avocado—even though they seem soft and easy. In this episode, I explain why soft foods are not always easy foods and how foods like banana and avocado can actually be confusing for a child’s mouth. You’ll learn why gagging can happen, why these foods feel unpredictable, and simple ways to help your child feel more confident trying th...

Many parents feel confused when their child once ate a wide variety of foods and later begins refusing foods they previously enjoyed. This change can feel sudden and concerning, but in many cases, it reflects normal development rather than regression. In this episode, we explore how children grow from reflexive eating to intentional eating, how changes in food predictability can affect acceptance,...

If your child refuses vegetables, you are not alone. In this episode, we talk about the real reasons vegetables can be challenging for children, including taste sensitivity, food predictability, pressure around “healthy eating,” and why exposure matters more than actually eating the food. We also talk about: Why children taste bitter flavors more strongly Why hiding vegetables can sometimes backfi...

Episode 2: How Does Playing with Food Toys Help My Child Learn to Eat? Many parents don’t necessarily disagree with using food toys—but they often wonder: “How could playing with toy food possibly help my child eat better?” In this episode, we explore how pretend play with food can become a powerful first step in a child’s feeding journey—especially for children who feel avoidant, nervous, or upse...

How do I help my child try new foods? If this question has been on your mind—you are not alone. In this episode of The Airplane Spoon Podcast , therapist Sarina Murrell explores one of the most common concerns parents have: what to do when a child refuses to try anything new. Through a real story from feeding therapy, Sarina walks through why children often stick to the same foods—and what actuall...

Welcome to The Airplane Spoon Podcast . In this introduction episode, Sarina Murrell—feeding therapist and director of The Airplane Spoon—introduces the heart behind this podcast and why it was created. If you’re a parent who feels like feeding your child has become overwhelming, stressful, or all-consuming… you are not alone. In this episode, we talk about: Why feeding challenges can feel so heav...

In this episode of P Soup , we’re cooking up a bowl of Gestalt Language Processing Soup . Some children learn language in “chunks” — long phrases, scripts, or song lines — instead of single words first. This way of learning is called Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) . It’s a natural, valid, and powerful path to communication. Together, we’ll explore: What it means to be a gestalt language process...

In this follow-up to our Tube-Feeding Soup episode, I sit down with Michelle, a mom who opens up about her family’s journey with her daughter’s feeding tube. Michelle shares what the process was really like—from the fears and tough decisions to the small victories and moments of resilience along the way. Together, we talk about: What it’s like to face the decision for a feeding tube How a family a...

Tube feeding can feel like a scary or unfamiliar topic—but for many families, it’s just another part of their child’s care and development. In this episode, we’re stirring through the world of feeding tubes: why kids need them, what daily life looks like, and how families navigate the emotional, practical, and social layers that come with it. Whether you’re supporting a child with a feeding tube,...

In this episode of P Soup , we stir through the idea of “Parenting Styles” — from the traditional authoritative vs. permissive categories to a more personal, flexible, and strengths-based approach. What if, instead of trying to fit into a style, we focused on what we value and where we naturally shine as parents? We explore a thoughtful model with four parenting strengths — Personal Guidance, Prac...

In this episode, we take a thoughtful and compassionate look at what "picky eating" really means — and why that label might not be as helpful as we think. We explore how picky eating often shows up as a natural part of child development , especially for kids who crave predictability in a world of ever-changing flavors and textures. You'll hear practical ideas for supporting children in mealtime ro...

Screens are everywhere — in our homes, our schools, our pockets. But when it comes to kids, screen time can feel like one of the most overwhelming and guilt-inducing topics out there. In this episode of P Soup , we're diving deep into Screen Time Soup — not to judge or scare, but to bring clarity, curiosity, and compassion to a topic many parents wrestle with daily. We’ll explore: 🍲 How different...

In this episode, we are going to explore the idea that trust is everything —especially for children who are growing, learning, and navigating big emotions. But also for all of us, as people who interact with other people and build relationships. We are going to talk about what trust is and what trust isn’t.  Then, I’m going to share my Trust-Based model that I use when I support families and child...

In this heartfelt episode of P Soup , I sit down with Angshuman, father of Sudipta, as he shares his personal journey through his son’s autism diagnosis. From early signs and challenges to unexpected joys and moments of connection, Angshu reflects on what it means to be a parent navigating the unknown and how important it is to find a support network of people who can guide you along the way. We t...