Nutrition for the Early Years
Nutrition for the Early Years is a pediatric nutrition podcast for parents seeking evidence-based guidance on infant feeding, toddler nutrition, and child health. Hosted by dual pediatrician and registered dietitian Dr. Liz Daniels, the show explores topics such as newborn nutrition, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, formula feeding, multivitamins, growth and development, and picky eating solutions. The episodes aim to help parents build a confident, guilt-free feeding mindset while supporting their child's relationship with food. The podcast avoids fear-based messaging and instead offers a balanced, science-driven approach to early childhood nutrition.
Episodes
EP 42: A Grandparents Guide To Introducing Peanuts and Eggs
Send us Fan MailCould grandparents play a key role in preventing food allergies in babies? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels shares a practical, reassuring guide to introducing common allergens like peanuts and eggs. Discover why food allergy recommendations have changed, how early exposure may lower allergy risks, and why babies with eczema may benefit the most. Th
EP 41: What You Might Not Know About Breastmilk with Elena Medo
Send us Fan MailWhat if the first drops of milk your baby receives could help protect them from infection and support their developing immune system? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels talks with researcher, inventor, and human milk advocate Elena Medo about what makes colostrum and breast milk so remarkable. They discuss the immune-supporting parts of human milk, co
EP 40: 3 Things Parents of Good Eaters Have in Common
Send us Fan MailWhat if raising a great eater is less about what your child eats and more about how you approach food? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels shares three habits she sees in families with confident eaters: trusting kids’ hunger cues, setting loving food boundaries, and modeling a genuine enjoyment of vegetables. She also offers reassurance for parents of picky eaters, especially during a
EP 39: Kids Sleep + Low Iron with Dr. Michelle Hjelm
Send us Fan MailWhat if your child is getting enough hours of sleep but still isn’t getting the quality sleep their body needs? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels sits down with pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Michelle Hjelm to talk about what healthy sleep looks like in kids, what can disrupt it, and why iron and ferritin sometimes play a role. They break down restless sle
EP 38: What Most People Don't Know about School Lunch and 3 Ways to Make it Better
Send us Fan MailWhat if school lunch is doing more for your child, and your community, than you realize? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels breaks down the National School Lunch Program, from its history and nutrition standards to what actually lands on a child’s tray today. She explains how school meals support millions of children, why fruit, vegetables, milk, and fortified foods matter, and how s
EP 37: 4 Simple Ways to Pack Healthier Lunches Without the Guilt
Send us Fan MailWhat if packing the “perfect” school lunch is creating more stress than it’s worth? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels shares her own experience with school lunch guilt, wasted food, picky eating, and the pressure to make every meal healthy. She explains why kids may eat very differently at school, how friendships and busy lunchrooms can affect appetite, and why an unfinished lunchbo
EP 36: Raising Body Confident Kids with Whitney Casares, MD
Send us Fan MailHow can we help our kids feel confident in their bodies when diet culture, social media, AI, and beauty messages are everywhere? Pediatrician and author Dr. Whitney Casares joins Dr. Liz Daniels to share practical ways parents can build healthier conversations around food, movement, appearance, and self-worth. Whitney opens up about her own history with diet culture, what she learn
EP 35: The Vitamin 75% Of Kids Aren't Getting Enough Of
Send us Fan MailCould vitamin D be one of the few supplements your child actually needs? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why vitamin D matters for growing bones, immune health, and long-term bone strength. She breaks down how much babies, toddlers, older kids, and adults typically need, why breastfed babies often require supplementation, and how fortified
EP 34: FIBERMAXXING for Kids: How and Why it Matters
Send us Fan MailWhat if one of the simplest ways to support your child’s gut, digestion, and long-term health is something most families are not getting enough of? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Liz Daniels breaks down why fiber deserves more attention, not just when constipation becomes a problem, but as part of everyday prevention. She explains soluble and insoluble fiber, how fiber feeds hea
EP 33: Multivitamins vs. Vegetables: Are Kids Really Missing Nutrients?
Send us Fan MailCould your child’s multivitamin be giving you peace of mind without actually fixing the nutrient gaps you’re worried about? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, Dr. Liz Daniels explains why multivitamins are not “vegetable insurance” and what growing kids truly need for healthy development. She breaks down the role of carbs, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, an
EP 32: 4 Ways To Break The Cycle Of Dinnertime Stress
Send us Fan MailWill family dinner ever feel peaceful again? Dr. Liz Daniels explains how picky eating, parental worry, and pressure can create a stressful cycle at the table. The good news is that parents can help break that cycle without cooking separate meals or forcing one more bite. In this episode, Dr. Daniels shares four practical shifts: trust children to decide how much they eat, create a
EP 31: Iron Deficiency in Toddlers: Why “Borderline” Is Not Good Enough
Send us Fan MailCould your toddler have low iron even when you are offering healthy, iron-rich foods? Dr. Liz Daniels shares her personal experience with her son’s low hemoglobin and explains why iron deficiency is common, treatable, and never a sign that a parent has failed. You will learn why borderline hemoglobin should not be ignored, how iron supports brain development and growth, and why foo
EP 30: Cow Milk Protein Allergy in Babies: Signs, Diagnosis, Formula Options, and When to Remove Dairy
Send us Fan MailCould your baby’s fussiness, spit-up, or unusual stools really be caused by cow milk protein allergy, or is dairy being blamed too quickly? In this episode, Dr. Liz Daniels explains what cow milk protein allergy, or CMPA, is, how it differs from a true IgE dairy allergy, and why normal newborn digestion can look like a food reaction. She shares the key signs parents should watch fo
EP 29: Baby Spit Up Explained: What's Normal, Red Flags to Watch For, and When to Call the Doctor
Send us Fan MailWhat if your baby’s constant spit-up is normal, even when it looks like a lot? In this episode of Nutrition for the Early Years, host Dr. Liz explains why babies spit up, how their growing digestive systems play a role, and why many cases are simply a messy laundry problem. She shares how to tell common reflux from warning signs such as poor growth, swallowing trouble, and true pro
EP 28: 7 Mistakes NOT to Make in Feeding Your Toddler
Send us Fan MailWhat 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 gu
EP 27: Top 5 Foods for Your 1-Year-Old
Send us Fan MailCould 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 per
EP 26: Added Sugar: The Conversation Every Parent Needs to Have
Send us Fan MailIs 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
EP 25: The “Are They Getting Enough?” Spiral: Newborn Feeding, Weight Checks, and When to Get Support
Send us Fan MailIs 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
EP 24: Solid Starts Experts Share Pro Tips for Successful Infant Feeding
Send us Fan MailWhat 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 sol
Episode 23: Stronger After Baby: Postpartum Recovery, Pelvic Floor, and Fueling Well with Val Warner
Send us Fan MailIs 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, pelvic
Episode 22: Your Toddler Needs More Carbs Than Protein: What Parents Need to Know
Send us Fan MailIs 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 needs
Episode 21: How to Stop All-Day Snack Battles Without Being Restrictive
Send us Fan MailIf 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 pla
Episode 20: Finding the Right Fit: What Your Pediatrician Wants You to Know About Goat Milk Formula for Your Baby
Send us Fan MailIf 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 fo
Episode 19: ARFID in Young Athletes: The Picky Eating Red Flags Every Sports Parent Should Know with Katie Syvarth, RD, CSSD
Send us Fan MailIf 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 down wi
EP 18: Allergen Introduction for Babies: What the Science Says About Timing Prevention
Send us Fan MailIf 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 from
Episode 17 | Body Image Issues Start at Age 5 — What Parents Can Do Right Now
Send us Fan MailEpisode 17 | Body Image Issues Start at Age 5 — What Parents Can Do Right NowHere'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 their
EP 16: Why Kids Have Big Feelings They Can't Explain: Understanding Interoception
Send us Fan MailEpisode 16 | Why Kids Have Big Feelings They Can't Explain: Understanding InteroceptionHave 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 breakin
EP 15: How to Choose Baby Formula: 3 Step Framework for Parents
Send us Fan MailOverwhelmed 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 LearnThe 3-Step Framework: How to evaluate any formula using Dr. Li
Episode 14: How Babies Learn to Like Vegetables
Send us Fan MailDid 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 approac
EP 13: Decoding Diapers- Understanding Newborn Poop and Infant Nutrition
Send us Fan MailNewborn Poop 101: What’s Normal, When to Worry, and Why Baby StrainsWondering 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 meconium (
Episode 12: Starting Solids Part 1: 4–6 Months, Preparation and What Babies Really Need
Send us Fan MailStarting Solids: What to Know Before You BeginIn 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 readine
Episode 11: When Kids Don't Like Milk: How to Meet Calcium & Vitamin D Needs Without the Power Struggle
Send us Fan MailWhat 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 while s
Episode 10: Milk for Kids, Explained: Does It Really Do a Body Good?
Send us Fan MailMilk 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 visitThe nutrients most kids are actually low in (hint: it’s not protein)Why vitamin D and calcium matter for bone growth, immune regulation, and muscle
Episode 9: When Toddler Picky Eating Is About the Parents (Multivitamins & When to Worry)
Send us Fan MailYour 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, I
Episode 8: Do Babies Need Probiotics? What the Evidence Says About Infant Gut Health and Infant Nutrition
Send us Fan MailDo 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, immune he
Episode 7: Protein Needs for Kids: Culture versus Science in Pediatric Nutrition
Send us Fan MailProtein 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" — bec
Episode 6: Do Picky Eaters Need Multivitamins? What Parents Should Know About Kids’ Supplements
Send us Fan MailPicky 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 witho
Episode 5: Do Lactation Supplements Really Increase Breast Milk Supply?
Send us Fan MailIf 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 suppleme
Episode 4: Baby’s First Month of Nutrition: Breastfeeding, Formula Decisions, and Letting Go of Feeding Guilt
Send us Fan MailIn 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 ConfusingWhy tracking feeds, poop, and sleep helps identify
Episode 3: When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Work: Reframing Infant Nutrition Without Shame
Send us Fan MailBreastfeeding 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 train
Episode 2: Nutrition While Breastfeeding: What Moms Need to Know for Infant Growth and Milk Quality
Send us Fan MailWhat 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 Lunchbox
Episode 1: Nutrition for the Early Years Origin Story
Send us Fan MailFeeding 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 o
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