Pediatric Nutrition in Toronto
Everyone loves babies, right? Well, yes, of course, but it sure can feel overwhelming and enormously stressful for new parents trying to figure out what to feed an infant, when to introduce what, techniques for picky eaters and more. If your child also has a medical condition to contend with, the stress level skyrockets. We're here to help.
Cassandra Reid & Associates offers personalized pediatric nutrition and counselling for infants, toddlers, children and their families. Our pediatric dietitians in Toronto can help you with common and not so common nutrition related challenges related to your little ones.
For personalized pediatric nutrition planning and counselling, please contact us today.
Nutrition Support for Infants & Babies
Feeding an infant comes with plenty of questions. When should you introduce solids? What foods should you start with? Is your baby getting enough of the nutrients they need?
A pediatric dietitian can help you navigate introducing solids, feeding transitions, food allergies and intolerances, nutrient needs and other infant feeding concerns with recommendations personalized to your baby.
Below, you will find a helpful guide for parents about introducing solids, along with more information about the pediatric nutrition support we provide.
Help for Picky Eaters & Toddlers
Picky eating is common, but it can make mealtimes stressful and leave you wondering whether your child is getting the nutrition they need. A pediatric dietitian can help with introducing new foods, balanced meals and snacks, mealtime routines and identifying potential nutritional gaps.
We’ll work with you to find practical strategies that fit your child and your family, without turning every meal into a battle.
Food Allergies & Nutrition Concerns
Food allergies, intolerances and medical conditions can make feeding your child even more complicated. We can help you understand your child’s nutritional needs and find appropriate alternatives while supporting healthy growth and development.
Family Nutrition & Meal Planning
Healthy eating needs to work for the whole family. We can help with meal planning, balanced family meals, snacks, age-appropriate nutrition and realistic strategies for busy schedules.
Our goal is to give you practical tools and confidence so that feeding your family feels a little less overwhelming.
Need Help Introducing Solids? Here's a pediatric nutrition guide for parents:
Introducing solids to you child can be a challenge, there is no need to feel overwhelmed. Regardless of whether it’s your first or your fourth time, you can make it fun, and it doesn’t hurt to review these simple steps.
What to Feed? This tends to be the biggest question of all, and recommendations vary widely on what to start with. Iron-fortified rice cereal is the most common recommendation, because it is least likely to cause allergic reactions.
Where to Feed? This is much more important than you think. You are teaching good eating habits which begin with structure in a common ‘eating’ area. Babies and children like to know what to expect. When they are at the kitchen table, they will learn what to expect and what is expected from them.
When to Feed? Pediatricians now recommend introducing solids at six months. This is to encourage breast-feeding for longer periods, and research shows that it’s not necessary to introduce solids earlier. Speak with your family doctor, pediatrician or a dietitian if you need some guidance.
How to Make? Make your own, buy jarred or frozen baby food as you feel comfortable. Give your baby a spoon, too, so they feel they are a part of the experience. Think calm, quiet and consistent:
Calm—this means you. Your energy will affect what and how well your baby eats. Try not to get frustrated when your baby won’t eat what you’ve prepared. Freeze leftover food in small portions and keep trying to reintroduce it. You may have to introduce a new food up to 15 times before you have success.
Quiet—this means the setting. Loud noises (TV, music, other children playing) can be very distracting. Even though your baby may be hungry, the entertainment may be more exciting.
Consistent—this means time and place. Babies are not dependent on the nutritional content in food until they are closer to one year (breastfeeding and formula provide them with the key nutritional items they need), so at this stage, they are really just learning how to eat.
Introducing solids definitely has its challenges, but by setting proper expectations for both yourself and your baby, you will have more success in the long run. For personalized pediatric nutrition planning and counselling, please contact us today.