Food for Tot: Feed Your Baby and Toddler with Confidence
Food for Tot is the go-to podcast for parents who want to confidently nourish their babies and toddlers without stress, guilt, or overwhelm. Hosted by Kathy O’Bryan—registered dietitian, mom, and the voice behind @theminimedietitian—this show breaks down the science of child nutrition into simple, practical tips you can actually use at home.
From introducing solids to managing sugar, picky eating, and everything in between, Kathy shares research-backed guidance with a mom-to-mom relatability that makes you feel seen and supported. Each episode is packed with clarity, encouragement, and actionable advice to help you raise healthy, happy eaters while building positive food foundations that last a lifetime.
Whether you’re just starting solids, navigating toddlerhood, or looking for ways to simplify mealtimes, Food for Tot will give you the confidence you need to enjoy the feeding journey.
Food for Tot: Feed Your Baby and Toddler with Confidence
Why asking your toddler to take a bite isn't working (and what to do instead)
Think your toddler is “picky”? In this episode, Kathy shares a truth most parents never hear: your toddler isn’t picky—they’re overwhelmed, and they need support, not pressure.
From asking them to “just take one bite” to playing airplane with the spoon, many of the strategies parents use to get food in actually make eating harder for toddlers—and more stressful for you. Kathy breaks down why these pressure-based approaches backfire, what’s really going on in your toddler’s brain and body, and the support they actually need to build confidence and skills at the table.
You’ll hear how mealtime overstimulation, inconsistent boundaries, and the pressure to get bites in can unintentionally erode your toddler’s willingness to learn food. And more importantly, you’ll learn the mindset shifts and practical strategies that help toddlers explore, try, and eventually enjoy new foods—without bribing, begging, or battling.
If you’re tired of mealtime power struggles, frustrated by food refusal, or feeling guilty every time someone asks if your toddler is a “good eater,” this episode will remind you that you’re not failing—you just need better tools. And there is an easier, calmer way forward.
Tune in to hear:
- Why asking toddlers to “take a bite” creates pressure—even when it sounds positive
- The developmental truth: toddlers learn food—they don’t magically know how to eat everything at 12 months
- Why your toddler needs a regulated, confident role model at the table (and how to become one)
- How pressure-based feeding holds kids back from trying new foods
- Why chasing what your toddler “will eat today” keeps you stuck
- How consistency, boundaries, and predictable routines reduce mealtime battles
- Why calling young toddlers “picky” too soon limits them—and you
- The long-game of feeding: how today’s habits shape your future as a family
- Real client stories of toddlers trying new textures, dropping bottles, and eating more independently
- The mindset shift that turns feeding from something you survive… into something that feels joyful again
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Connect with Kathy:
Website: https://theminimedietitian.com/