5 Resources for Feeding Kids That Save Mom’s Sanity!

For as long as I can remember, food has been a source of stress. Am I eating enough? Too much? The “right” things or the “wrong” things? Having children — girls specifically — did not relieve any of this anxiety.

As soon as I gave birth, I became overwhelmed with whether I could produce enough milk to keep them fed and full. I ate all the super-milk-producing cookies, protein balls, and supplements, and I still fell short. I supplemented with formula, and my babies were content.

Then came the transition to solids. My first loved the fresh organic fruits and veggies I steamed and pureed. My second enjoyed the premade baby food I bought. When they became toddlers, their favorite foods steered away from the colors of the rainbow and toward white, beige, and brown. And the worry set in again.

Too much milk? Not enough veggies and fruits? What did I do wrong? Why don’t they eat what they should, rather than what they like? 

Fortunately, there are so many resources that attempt to answer these questions, and a lot of help can be found on my favorite websites and social media platforms. Here are a few that help me feel like I’m not doing a terrible job at feeding my children!

1. Naptime Kitchen

Kate is a stay-at-home mom of four, and her website is a reliable and relatable resource. There are recipes my kids don’t run away from (hello, Bella’s {Chicken} Taco Soup), with ingredients from local supermarkets. She also offers tips for everything else kid related, from going to the beach with littles to reintroducing veggies to over-chicken-nuggeted kids.

2. Kids Eat in Color

A team of registered dieticians, nutritionists, OTs, doctors, and more came together to promote a healthier mindset around food and nutrition. They feature picky eating help, amazing recipes, and a plethora of resources for feeding kids and making mealtime less stressful. Find their free picky eating guide here!

3. Nicole Cruz, RDN

Nicole, Kira, and Sarah are registered dietitians with a focus on intuitive eating — and leaving diet culture in the past. They work with individuals and families and encourage a non-judgmental approach to food and nutrition. There is an emphasis on making mealtime fun and ending the power struggle at the kitchen table.

4. Little Cocoa Bean Co.

Local mama (and Boston Moms contributor!) Tracy Skelly noticed a lack of culturally diverse, flavorful, and nutritious food for her baby. Rather than ignoring the need, she created Little Cocoa Bean Co., a company dedicated to creating fresh, ready-made baby and toddler food. She has a Tot Cafe in Jamaica Plain, where she hosts a variety of events to help local parents thrive. She also has many resources online, from recipes to digestive health. Check her out for some great tips!

5. Feeding Littles 

Feeding Littles is my favorite resource. With online feeding courses, cookbooks, and so much humor, Feeding Littles is my go to when I really feel like my kids are not eating enough of the “right” things. If you have not yet met Judy (an OT and feeding specialist) and Megan (a registered dietician specializing in maternal/child nutrition, food sensitivities, and eating disorder prevention), click your way over to their pages. Their content is relatable, accessible, and full of fun.

Feeding kids should be fun. Eating should be enjoyable. That isn’t always the case, but, thankfully, there are so many resources available to normalize the struggle and encourage the enjoyment of food.