MommyCon 2017: Tips for dealing with Toddler Feeding and Potty Troubles

With Luke fast approaching his terrible twos, I focused on the toddler sessions at MommyCon this year.  

Toddler Eating Struggles? Here are my top takeaways from the incredible lecture by Speech Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist Dawn Winkleman. 

• Why are toddlers such picky eaters?
• In the U.S. babies are not given “real” fruits and veggies as much as other countries. The solution, start introducing whole foods to your baby around 6 months of age with the goal of eating only whole foods by 9 months of age. 
• Medical issues such as GERD, constipation, tooth decay, and allergies. 
• Common Mistakes:
• Hiding
• Putting foods such as veggies in desserts instead of on their plate. Children need to see their foods on their plate and your plate to know they are “safe”.
• Forcing
• 2/3 of parents encourage children to eat everything on their plate even if they are overweight. 
• Food rewards
• 85% of parents admitted using food rewards even if their child is overweight.
• Top tips:
• Taste and rotate
• Offer a new food for a few days then rotate to a new one.  After a short break bring the food back.  They may enjoy it even more the next time. 
• Temperature
• Offer frozen veggies for teethers to soothe sore gums. 
• Trash
• Have even young children throw their food away so they can see where it goes. 
• Teach
• Don’t restrict foods, instead encourage healthy ones. 
• Thirsty
• Blend up fruits and veggies in smoothies. 
• Together
• Get your children involved in the cooking process and expose them to new foods. 

Find more incredible tips from Ms. Dawn on http://www.ezpzfun.com/blog/

Wrestling with Potty Training?  Instead of dreading the struggle, approach it well prepared to make the smoothest transition for both of you. Laura Woj, creator of Super Undies and professional potty-trainer shared her wisdom with us. 

• Prepare ahead.  Explain to your child what it will feel like to go to the restroom without diapers on and how they will be sitting on the potty.  Help them understand that accidents are normal and will happen.  Additionally, you need to prepare.  Monitor your child’s toilet habits so you have an idea how frequently your child goes.  This knowledge will save you both a lot of frustration. 
• Go naked AND use potty training pants. While starting naked is a great way to help associate what comes out of their body with the urge, ultimately they need to understand they will be wearing clothing that needs to be moved prior to going. Your goal is to get training pants on by the second day.
• Be intentional.  You need 2-3 days.  During this time stay home with your child and really focus on the task at hand. 
• Limit space.  While potty training, remaining in 1-2 rooms will help you keep a constant visual on your child.  This will help you visualize behaviors that indicate your child needs to go so that you can guide them in using the toilet.
• Unplug from social media.  Again, the more focused you are on your child, the quicker they will potty train. 
• Be patient.  Children need repetition.  Keeping calm and positive will prevent making the experience one that leads to fear behaviors.  Your child will need to be reminded to use the potty 50+ times daily, make sure you are prepared before you start. 

Find more on potty training including a great chart and the best training pants you can buy at SuperUndies.com