Little Eaters & Talkers

Jean Hawney
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Welcome to Little Eaters & Talkers, where we empower parents, caregivers, and professionals with practical insights to support children’s feeding and communication development. Hosted by Jean Hawney, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist, this podcast explores everything from introducing solids and tackling picky eating to promoting speech and language milestones.

  1. 54m ago

    What Is ARFID? It's Not Just Picky Eating (with Kelly Komisaruk)

    If you've ever been told your child is "just a picky eater" but your gut says it's more than that, this episode is for you. ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is so much more than having a short list of "safe foods." Feeding specialist Kelly Komisaruk joins Jean Hawney, M.A., CCC-SLP, to explain what ARFID really is, why traditional feeding therapy often isn't enough on its own, and what meaningful progress actually looks like for families navigating it every day. No judgment. No "wait and see." Just practical, evidence-based guidance to help your child build a safer, healthier relationship with food. 🎙️ What We Cover • What ARFID really is and how it's different from typical picky eating • Why feeding therapy alone often isn't enough • The role anxiety and mental health play at the table • How to get the whole family on the same page • Accommodations that quietly make things worse • The red flags that mean it's time to seek help • What "progress" actually looks like 📚 Free Resources 📄 Free feeding downloads: thelittleeaters.com/FreeDownloads 📝 Browse the blog: thelittleeaters.com/blog 🛒 20% off EZPZ feeding gear: partners.ezpzfun.com/LITTLEEATERS 🤝 Connect with Jean 🌐 Website: thelittleeaters.com 📸 Instagram: @littleeaters_talkers 🔗 Everything: linktr.ee/thelittleeaters Little Eaters & Talkers is hosted by Jean Hawney, M.A., CCC-SLP, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist in Houston, Texas. Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or therapeutic advice. If you're concerned about your child's eating, speak with your pediatrician or a qualified feeding specialist.

    42 min

  2. Jun 15

    Episode 33: Why Your Toddler Only Eats Beige Foods — The Sensory Truth Nobody Tells You

    You followed the advice. You kept offering the broccoli. You put it on the plate again and again for two years. Mealtime is now something everyone in your house dreads — and your child still won't touch it. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, explains why the standard advice completely backfires for sensory-sensitive kids — and what to do instead. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your child isn't choosing beige — their nervous system is, and understanding that one shift changes everything about how you respond at the table. The critical difference between a food preference and a sensory need — and why the approach for each one is completely different. Why "just keep offering it" doesn't just fail for sensory kids — it can actually make the aversion stronger with every exposure. The 7-step sensory ladder: why eating is the last rung, not the first, and how real progress looks long before a bite is ever taken. Food chaining — how to build bridges from your child's safe foods to new ones by changing only one tiny thing at a time. Whether your child gags at the sight of something new, melts down when an unfamiliar food touches their plate, has been a beige-only eater for years, or you've tried everything and nothing is working — this episode gives you a completely different way forward. Resources Mentioned: Courses: thelittleeaters.com/Courses Free Downloads: thelittleeaters.com/FreeDownloads Book an Evaluation: thelittleeaters.janeapp.com Follow Jean on Instagram: @littleeaters_talkers If this episode gave you that "aha" moment — share it with a parent who's been putting the same food on the plate for months and wondering why nothing is changing.

    8 min

  3. May 25

    Episode 32: The Feeding-Speech Connection Nobody Talks About

    You took your child to speech therapy for the talking. You were told to just keep offering food for the eating. Two separate waitlists, two separate specialists, zero conversation about how they might actually be the same problem. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, explains the connection between feeding and speech that most families never hear about — and why, if your child is a late talker and a picky eater, that combination is not a coincidence. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the mouth is one shared system — and how the same muscles your child uses to chew and swallow are the exact muscles they need to make speech sounds. The five signs that your child's feeding challenges and speech delays are connected. Why your child's SLP should be asking about feeding at every appointment — and what to say if they never have. Simple oral motor activities you can start this week that support both eating and talking at the same time. When one specialist isn't enough — and how to build the right team for a child who needs support in both areas. Whether your child gags on textures, drools past the age where most kids stop, is hard to understand even by people who know them well, or you've just felt like you're only getting half the picture from your current team — this episode gives you the full picture. Resources Mentioned: Courses: thelittleeaters.com/Courses Free Downloads: thelittleeaters.com/FreeDownloads Book an Evaluation: thelittleeaters.janeapp.com Follow Jean on Instagram: @littleeaters_talkers If this episode gave you that "aha" moment — share it with a parent who's been chasing two separate answers for what might be one shared problem.

    13 min

  4. May 7

    Episode 31 ARFID — Your Child Isn't Picky

    Your pediatrician said "they'll grow out of it." You kept offering new foods. You took the pressure off. And two years later, the list of foods your child will eat is shorter — not longer. In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, breaks down ARFID — Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder — in plain language. Not the clinical version. The real version. The one that sounds like your family's dinner table. In this episode, you'll learn: What ARFID actually is — and why it has nothing to do with body image or eating disorders in the traditional sense.The three subtypes of ARFID — and why knowing which one fits your child changes the entire approach.How to tell the difference between typical picky eating and something that needs real support.Why the "wait and see" approach doesn't work for ARFID — and what happens when families wait too long.What a feeding evaluation actually looks like — and exactly what to say to your pediatrician so you don't get brushed off.The significant overlap between ARFID and autism — and why you need to bring feeding into that conversation explicitly.Whether your child eats fewer than 10 foods, has a complete meltdown when their safe brand changes, or you've just always known in your gut that this was more than pickiness — this episode gives you the language, the clarity, and the next step. Resources Mentioned: Courses: thelittleeaters.com/Courses Free Downloads: thelittleeaters.com/FreeDownloads Book an Evaluation: thelittleeaters.janeapp.com Follow Jean on Instagram: @littleeaters_talkers If this episode felt like it was written for your family, share it with a parent who needs to hear it. You've been advocating for your child all along — keep going.

    15 min

  5. Apr 17

    Episode 30: What Is Occupational Therapy — And Could My Child Benefit From It? (OT Month Special)

    "You might want to look into OT." Your pediatrician said it. You nodded. You took the paper. And then you Googled it and got a bunch of results about adults recovering from strokes. April is Occupational Therapy Month, and in this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, finally gives you the clear, honest answer that nobody seems to hand parents in the doctor's office: what OT actually is, who it helps, and why — as a feeding therapist — she works alongside OTs more than almost any other specialist. In this episode, you'll learn: What "occupation" actually means for a toddler — and why it has nothing to do with a job. How sensory processing differences show up at mealtimes — and why that's OT's territory. The difference between OT and feeding therapy — and why they're not competing, they're overlapping. What an OT session actually looks like (hint: it looks like play, and that's on purpose). How to get OT in Houston — including free options through ECI and your school district that most families don't know about. When to ask your feeding therapist whether adding OT makes sense — and what to say when you call. Whether your child is gagging at textures, melting down over haircuts, or you've been in feeding therapy and progress has slowed — this episode gives you the clarity to know what step to take next. Resources Mentioned: Courses: thelittleeaters.com/Courses Free Downloads: thelittleeaters.com/FreeDownloads Book an Evaluation: thelittleeaters.janeapp.com Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI): Look up your local ECI office for children under 3 Follow Jean on Instagram: @littleeaters_talkers If you found this episode helpful, please share it with another parent who needs to hear it. You're doing a better job than you think!

    11 min

  6. Mar 26

    Episode 29: Picky Eating vs. Problem Feeding: 5 Signs It's More Than a Phase

    "They’ll grow out of it." "Just keep offering it." "It’s just a phase." If you’re a parent of a toddler who only eats five foods, you’ve probably heard these phrases a dozen times. But what if your gut is telling you it’s something more? In this episode, Jean Hawney, a pediatric feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist, dives deep into the single most-searched question in the feeding space: Is my child just picky, or is there a bigger problem? Jean breaks down the differences between typical toddler pickiness—which is annoying but developmentally normal—and "Problem Feeding," a pattern that requires targeted support. In this episode, you’ll learn: What "Normal" Looks Like: Why a range of 20-30 foods and mealtime flexibility is actually a good sign. Sign #1: The Shrinking Menu: Why "food drop-off" is a major clinical red flag. Sign #2: Mealtime Battles: How to tell if your mealtime stress is a data point you shouldn't ignore. Sign #3: Sensory vs. Preference: The difference between "I don't like it" and "My body feels wrong touching this." Sign #4: Growth and Nutrition: When to move past "wait and see" and look at the medical data. Sign #5: The Parental Instinct: Why your gut is the most reliable tool in your parenting kit. Whether you’re dealing with a toddler who gagged at the sight of broccoli or a child whose food list is actively shrinking, this episode provides the clarity and permission you need to trust your instincts and take the next step. Resources Mentioned: Free Downloads: thelittleeaters.com/FreeDownloads Book an Evaluation: thelittleeaters.com Follow Jean on Instagram: @thelittleeatersandtalkers If you found this episode helpful, please share it with another parent who needs to hear it. You’re doing a better job than you think!

    7 min

  7. Mar 6

    Episode 28: Bottle Aversion: Ending the Feeding Battle

    Is feeding time ending in tears for both you and your baby? You aren't failing, and you aren't alone. In this episode, Jean Hawney, SLP and founder of The Little Eaters & Talkers, breaks down the emotional cycle of bottle aversion and how to rebuild trust at the table. What’s inside: Aversion vs. Refusal: Learn to spot the difference between a lack of skill and a learned fear response. The Pressure Trap: Why "making" them eat often leads to more rejection. The 4 Golden Rules: Practical steps to eliminate pressure, remove distractions, and honor your baby’s autonomy. The 72-Hour Survival Kit: How to handle the first few days of recovery without losing your mind. Peaceful feedings are possible. Recovery typically takes 3 to 7 days—this is just a tiny blip in your journey. Connect with Us: Book a Consult: thelittleeaters.com Instagram: @thelittleeaters_talkers Resources: Free Downloads & Guides #BottleAversion #InfantFeeding #TheLittleEaters #FeedingTherapy #ResponsiveFeeding #ParentingSupport

    10 min

  8. 11/30/2025

    Episode 27: Breastfeeding & Dysphagia: What Parents Need to Know

    In this episode, Jean Hawney, pediatric SLP, feeding specialist, and CLC, breaks down the key points from her 2025 ASHA Convention presentation on breastfeeding and dysphagia—in a way that feels clear, compassionate, and truly parent-friendly. You’ll learn what dysphagia looks like in infants, why breastfeeding can feel harder for babies with swallow challenges, and most importantly, how breastfeeding can still be possible with the right support. Jean shares real stories, practical strategies, and gentle guidance to help parents understand their baby’s cues, protect feeding safety, and preserve the breastfeeding relationship when that’s the family’s goal. Whether you’re a new parent, a NICU family, or supporting someone with feeding struggles, this episode offers reassurance, evidence-based insight, and hope. If you need personalized help, Jean and her team at Little Eaters & Talkers specialize in supporting infants and young children with feeding and swallowing challenges—especially when families want to continue breastfeeding. You are not alone on this journey, and with the right tools and guidance, safe and meaningful feeding is possible.

    5 min
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About

Welcome to Little Eaters & Talkers, where we empower parents, caregivers, and professionals with practical insights to support children’s feeding and communication development. Hosted by Jean Hawney, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist, this podcast explores everything from introducing solids and tackling picky eating to promoting speech and language milestones.

Information

  • Creator
    Jean Hawney
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jean Hawney
  • Show Website
    Little Eaters & Talkers