If you're a parent struggling to get your child to eat a "proper" meal, have you ever been told, "Just make them eat!"? Or, "Just starve them and they'll eat anything!"?

In this episode, Dr. Kaye Napalinga, developmental and behavioral pediatrician with special training in feeding issues, empowers us with insights on:

• what exactly goes into the feeding process
• why "just make them eat" or "just starve them" actually sets us up for frustration and stress
• what we can look at and what to do instead

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders Questionnaire from the SOS Approach to Feeding
• Picky eating on the Discerning Parenting blog and podcast

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

👩‍⚕️ Guest:
Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari, pediatrician and gut health specialist, and mom of four!

🍼 Description:
Is your child refusing food, only eating white-colored meals, or taking forever to finish a plate? You're not alone! In this practical and judgment-free episode, pediatrician and mom Dr. Paula explains the different types of picky eaters—and what parents can do about it.

🗣️ Questions We Asked Dr. Paula:

• What's the difference between normal toddler food preferences and true picky eating?
• What are the different kinds of picky eaters you’ve seen?
• Is threatening or bribing kids to eat effective?
• What happens during a consultation with a feeding specialist or pediatrician?
• Why is advice like “just starve them, they’ll eat” potentially harmful?
• What’s food chaining—and how can parents try it at home?
• What are better alternatives to hiding vegetables or bribing kids with candy?
• Is snacking okay?

💡 Key Takeaways:

• There are different types of picky eaters, so there's no one-size-fits-all.
• Food refusal may signal deeper issues, like sensory sensitivity or underlying medical/developmental concerns.
• Strategies such as food chaining can help kids accept new foods by gradually transitioning from familiar ones.
• Avoid bribing or threatening—build positive mealtime experiences instead.
• Watch out for red flags like weight loss, very limited food variety, or mealtime stress affecting family life.

📚 More Resources:

https://discerningparenting.com/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-a-picky-eater/

https://discerningparenting.com/encouragement-for-moms-of-picky-eaters/

✨ Loved this episode?
Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.

Are you starting solids with your baby and feeling overwhelmed by all the advice? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Paula Martinez-Mallari, a pediatric gastroenterologist (gut health and nutrition specialist) and mom of four answers common questions and shares practical advice for parents navigating this exciting milestone.

💬 Topics We Covered:

• Going beyond the traditional vs baby led weaning debate... and the #1 thing we should be focusing on instead
• What to do when your baby refuses food
• Letting babies explore textures and tastes
• How to balance breastfeeding/formula with solid foods
• Changes in baby poop when you start solids
• Spotting early signs of constipation
• Taking the pressure off starting solids - for both parents and babies!

📌 Key Takeaway:

Starting solids doesn’t have to be stressful. Enjoy the journey, and remember—it’s a milestone for your baby and for you.

📎 Resources Mentioned:

✅ Our guide to complementary feeding with the short course Feeding Baby Right
✅ FREE parenting toolkit: https://discerningparenting.com/toolkit/

📎 Research Mentioned:

Systematic review on baby-led vs traditional complementary feeding

D'Auria, E., Bergamini, M., Staiano, A., Banderali, G., Pendezza, E., Penagini, F., Zuccotti, G. V., Peroni, D. G., & Italian Society of Pediatrics (2018). Baby-led weaning: what a systematic review of the literature adds on. Italian journal of pediatrics, 44(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-018-0487-8

📌 Points we want to highlight:

1. Modified baby led weaning (taking care to remove choking hazards) appears to be safe. This is good news for parents who want to follow BLW.

2. There's no evidence that babies fed the traditional way grow up to become picky eaters or get stuck eating purees. This is great news for moms who keep trying baby led weaning but it's just not working for them. If that's you, stop feeling like you've failed! Go ahead and feed using the method that is easier for you. You have enough to worry about without adding on this unnecessary pressure.

⭐ Our book Learning by Heart: Teach Your Child to Read, Stress-Free is now on Amazon! Click here to learn more about Dr. Victoria Nolasco's books.

⭐ Check out our FREE Discerning Parenting Toolkit and Resource Library.

⭐ Find out more about our on-demand courses to guide you through parenting challenges.

🎖️Discerning Parenting is now one of the TOP 20 PARENTING PODCASTS on Feedspot!

The Discerning Parenting Podcast is a free informational resource for parents. As a valued listener, you acknowledge that any information you get from this podcast is for your general guidance only, and ​​must never be considered a substitute for the advice provided by a doctor, therapist, or other qualified medical professionals who know your child specifically. Read our full disclaimer policy here.