Nutrition for the Early Years

Dr. Liz Daniels, DO, RD, FAAP
  • 5.0 (7)
  • NUTRITION

Nutrition for the Early Years – Guilt-Free Guidance for Feeding Your Family 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 + registered dietitian Dr. Liz Daniels, this show explores newborn and infant nutrition, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, complementary feeding, formula feeding, multivitamins for kids, growth and development, and picky eating solutions—all through the lens of real pediatric nutrition science. From feeding anxiety and selective eating to questions about appetite, supplements, and healthy eating habits, this podcast helps parents build a confident, guilt-free feeding mindset. You’ll learn how to support your child’s relationship with food in ways that nourish growth, protect early childhood nutrition, and align with your values—without fear-based messaging or all-or-none thinking. Food goes deep. It’s often not until we begin feeding our own children that we revisit our childhood nutrition experiences—comments that shaped us, arbitrary rules, pressure around healthy eating, and the quiet guilt many of us carry. Feeding kids has a way of surfacing old narratives and challenging us to rethink what child nutrition really means. This is where the conversation begins—supporting families through toddler feeding, early childhood feeding, and raising children with a strong, positive relationship with food. Because nourishing your family isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity, confidence, and understanding what truly matters in the early years. You are in the right place if you are asking questions like:     -How do I get my child to eat vegetables?     -Why does my toddler suddenly refuse to eat (or only eat one thing)?     -Is my child eating enough to grow properly?     -How much protein does my child actually need?     -What are the best healthy snacks for kids?     -How much milk should my child drink, and what kind?     -How can I improve my child's immune system through food?     -How can I help my child have a healthy relationship with food?

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 9: When Toddler Picky Eating Is About the Parents (Multivitamins & When to Worry)

    Your 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 take you behind one very common question I hear in clinic: “My toddler is picky. Should I give a multivitamin?” But as we unpack it, you’ll see that it’s rarely just about the vitamin. It’s about the anxiety underneath it. We’ll talk through: What normal toddler picky eating actually looks likeHow pediatricians screen for iron deficiency anemiaWhy hemoglobin doesn’t always tell the whole storyHow much protein toddlers really need (and why milk often covers it)When a multivitamin with iron makes sense — and when it doesn’tRed flags for something more serious like ARFID or sensory feeding challengesHow pressure at the table quietly makes picky eating worseMost toddlers between ages 2–7 go through a selective eating phase. It’s developmental. It’s tied to autonomy. And it’s incredibly triggering for parents who care deeply about nutrition. If your child’s growth is steady but you still feel worried, this episode will help you sort through what’s objective… and what might be coming from comparison, social media noise, family comments, or your own history with food. Because sometimes the real work isn’t changing the child’s plate. It’s calming the parent’s nervous system. You don’t need urgency. You need context. You need a plan that feels grounded and sustainable. And you deserve more than just a product recommendation. If feeding your child feels stressful or messy right now, I created a free guide to walk you through the hidden mental barriers that drive mealtime tension and help you reset with confidence. You can download “When Feeding Feels Messy”  here or at newstorynutrition.com. You don’t have to do this alone. And you definitely don’t have to solve picky eating with just a vitamin. Questions about multivitamins? Take a listen to Episode 6! If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    26 min

  2. FEB 16

    Episode 8: Do Babies Need Probiotics? What the Evidence Says About Infant Gut Health and Infant Nutrition

    Do 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 health, growth and development, and allergy prevention. But the claims around probiotics can feel confusing. This episode walks you through the same conversation I have with families in my office. We’ll talk about: How the infant gut develops in the first month of lifeThe role of breastmilk, HMOs, prebiotics, and probiotics in infant feedingWhat pediatric nutrition research says about colic, digestion, eczema, and immune healthDifferences between breastfed and formula-fed babiesWhen probiotics may benefit preterm infantsWhy strain specificity mattersAnd how I think through feeding decisions step-by-step before recommending supplementsIf you’re navigating newborn nutrition, combo feeding, formula choices, or trying to reduce feeding anxiety while making thoughtful decisions, this episode will help you cut through the hype and focus on what truly supports child health. My goal is always the same: guilt-free feeding rooted in real science — so you can nourish your baby with confidence and support their healthy relationship with food from the very beginning. Subscribe for evidence-based pediatric nutrition guidance on infant feeding, toddler nutrition, picky eating, appetite, growth, and raising children with a healthy relationship with food. If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    25 min

  3. FEB 9

    Episode 7: Protein Needs for Kids: Culture versus Science in Pediatric Nutrition

    Protein 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. If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    43 min

  4. FEB 2

    Episode 6: Do Picky Eaters Need Multivitamins? What Parents Should Know About Kids’ Supplements

    Picky 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 without added stress or guilt. If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    25 min

  5. JAN 26

    Episode 5: Do Lactation Supplements Really Increase Breast Milk Supply?

    If 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 supplements actually work? In this episode of The Lunchbox Reformation, I walk through what the science really says about common lactation supplements—and why many don’t live up to the marketing. You’ll learn: Which popular lactation supplements show little to no measurable increase in milk volumeWhy perceived increases in supply don’t always match actual milk productionWhich supplements show some promise—and where the evidence is still limitedWhy frequency of milk removal matters more than any supplementHow pumping schedules, latch quality, time, sleep, and structural support affect supplyWhy breastfeeding is not “free,” and how to advocate for the support you needI share personal experiences from my own breastfeeding journey—highlighting the emotional, logistical, and time costs that are rarely discussed but deeply felt. The grounded takeaway: no lactation supplement replaces frequent, effective milk expression. Supplements may be supportive, but they are never first-line treatment—and struggling with supply is not a personal failure. This episode is for parents who want: science over social media claimscalm reassurance instead of pressurepractical, real-life feeding guidance Enjoying the show? Follow or subscribe to The Lunchbox Reformation so you never miss an episode. Want to keep the conversation going? Find me on Instagram @drliznewstorynutrition. Want to learn more about me? Come visit my site! Extra studies: Ammar M, Russo GL, Altamimi A, Altamimi M, Sabbah M, Al-Asmar A, Di Monaco R. Moringa oleifera Supplementation as a Natural Galactagogue: A Systematic Review on Its Role in Supporting Milk Volume and Prolactin Levels. Foods. 2025 Jul 16;14(14):2487. doi: 10.3390/foods14142487. PMID: 40724308; PMCID: PMC12294722. Foong SC, Tan ML, Foong WC, Marasco LA, Ho JJ, Ong JH. Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May 18;5(5):CD011505. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011505.pub2. PMID: 32421208; PMCID: PMC7388198. Jia L, Brough L, Weber JL. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast-Based Supplement and Breast Milk Supply: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial. Matern Child Nutr. 2025 Sep 11:e70112. doi: 10.1111/mcn.70112. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40932299. If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    21 min

  6. JAN 19

    Episode 4: Baby’s First Month of Nutrition: Breastfeeding, Formula Decisions, and Letting Go of Feeding Guilt

    In 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 Confusing Why tracking feeds, poop, and sleep helps identify patterns—but rarely provides day-to-day certainty in the newborn stage. 03:30 – You’re Not Doing It Wrong: Newborn Immaturity Explained Why even highly informed parents feel unsure, and how newborn digestive immaturity—not lack of knowledge—drives most early feeding questions. 07:00 – How Much Newborns Actually Eat (and How Fast It Changes) Stomach size, feeding volumes by day of life, and why babies may seem extra sleepy or unsettled when intake hasn’t caught up yet. 11:00 – Colostrum vs Mature Breastmilk: What Changes and Why It Matters Protein density, volume shifts, and how early milk aligns with a newborn’s developing digestive system. 15:30 – Stomach Acid, Reflux, and Gastric Emptying Why newborn stomach acid starts low, increases over time, and how this explains sour burps, reflux, and spit-up. 20:00 – Fat Digestion in Newborns (Lipase, Bile, and Absorption) How breastmilk supports fat digestion when pancreatic enzymes and bile production are still immature. 26:00 – Lactose, Enzymes, and Common Feeding Myths Why most newborns are not lactose intolerant and what “enzyme immaturity” actually means. 30:30 – Immune Protection Through Breastmilk How antibodies in colostrum (IgA, IgM, IgG) survive digestion and support early immune development. 36:00 – Gut Permeability & Why Newborns Absorb Differently Why newborn intestines are more permeable, what that means for nutrient absorption, and why hydration matters. 40:30 – Poop, Motility, and Why It Changes So Much Normal differences in stool patterns, gut movement, and why poop is a poor report card on feeding success. 45:30 – Breastfed vs Formula-Fed Poop (and Why Both Are Normal) How substrate differences affect stool, gas, and transit time—and why change doesn’t equal failure. 50:30 – Formula Safety, Predictability, and When It’s Helpful Why formula works well despite digestive immaturity and how its consistency can be supportive for families. 55:00 – Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) & Gut Microbiome Development What HMOs do, why they soften stool, how they feed gut bacteria, and how formulas now incorporate them. 1:01:30 – When Digestive Symptoms Are Red Flags Poor growth, blood or mucus in stool, true malabsorption—and when pediatricians want to know more. 1:06:30 – Crying, Gas, and the Six-Week Peak Why fussiness isn’t always digestive, how mechanics matter, and what’s normal in early infancy. 1:11:30 – The Big Takeaway: Confidence Comes With Time Why clarity arrives through experience, observation, and support—not perfect data. 1:14:30 – Bonus: Newborn Nutrition Needs (Extra Credit) Calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrate needs in infancy—and why babies require so much energy early on. If this episode resonated with you: Follow or subscribe to The Lunchbox Reformation so you don’t miss future episodesShare this episode with a parent who’s expecting—or in the thick of newborn lifeJoin my upcoming Nutrition for the First Chapter Masterclass (January 25) for a deeper dive into infant feeding and formula navigationYou don’t have to get it perfect—you just have to keep showing up. ???? If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    32 min

  7. JAN 12

    Episode 3: When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Work: Reframing Infant Nutrition Without Shame

    Breastfeeding 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 training and over a decade of pediatric practice, I walk through common early breastfeeding challenges, including latch issues, tongue and oral movement concerns, head and neck restriction, breech positioning, and milk supply anxiety. Most importantly, this episode reframes infant feeding away from performance and perfection. I offer compassionate guidance for parents who are supplementing or choosing formula, emphasizing that the “best” formula is often the one your baby tolerates well—and that a regulated, supported parent–infant dyad matters far more than meeting an idealized feeding goal. This conversation is for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, adopting, supplementing, or grieving a feeding journey that didn’t look the way they expected. The takeaway is clear and grounding: how you feed your baby does not define your worth as a parent—attunement, observation, and care do. Register here for the science of breastmilk and formula masterclass! If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    23 min

  8. JAN 5

    Episode 2: Nutrition While Breastfeeding: What Moms Need to Know for Infant Growth and Milk Quality

    What 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 Reformation, we break down what postpartum nutrition actually affects when breastfeeding, and what the body regulates automatically. You’ll learn why breastmilk composition is far more resilient than social media suggests, how carbohydrates, fats, and protein support the parent more than the milk itself, and which micronutrients—like iron, vitamin D, iodine, choline, and omega-3s—deserve attention during postpartum recovery. This episode is for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, or supporting a new parent and wants evidence-based clarity without fear-based feeding advice. The takeaway is simple but powerful: your body handles milk production—nutrition supports you while it does that work. If this resonates with you, please subscribe and/or follow for more. I would love your feedback - leave a comment and let me know what you think! Register for the Breastmilk and Formula Masterclass here! If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    20 min

  9. 12/30/2025

    Episode 1: The Lunchbox Reformation Begins

    Feeding 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 on formative moments from her early career—patients who taught her that food is never just food, and families navigating illness, barriers, and impossible choices. These experiences ultimately led her from nutrition into medicine, motherhood, and pediatrics, where she saw firsthand how deeply feeding decisions are shaped by systems, access, time, and emotion. This episode lays the foundation for the podcast: real nutrition science without clickbait, compassionate conversations about barriers to health, and support for parents who want to nourish the whole child—without fear, guilt, or whiplash from conflicting advice. If you’re a parent who: Feels confident reading labels but still doubts your decisionsWants better nutrition for your kids without diet cultureFeels overwhelmed by nutrition claims and influencer adviceIs trying to “rewrite” the food story you grew up withYou’re in the right place. This is where the Lunchbox Reformation begins. Register for the Breastmilk and Formula Masterclass in January 2026 here! If you'd like 1:1 support, head over to my website and book a call so we can talk about ways I help parents like you!

    19 min
  • 9 Episodes

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Nutrition for the Early Years – Guilt-Free Guidance for Feeding Your Family 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 + registered dietitian Dr. Liz Daniels, this show explores newborn and infant nutrition, introducing solids, baby-led weaning, complementary feeding, formula feeding, multivitamins for kids, growth and development, and picky eating solutions—all through the lens of real pediatric nutrition science. From feeding anxiety and selective eating to questions about appetite, supplements, and healthy eating habits, this podcast helps parents build a confident, guilt-free feeding mindset. You’ll learn how to support your child’s relationship with food in ways that nourish growth, protect early childhood nutrition, and align with your values—without fear-based messaging or all-or-none thinking. Food goes deep. It’s often not until we begin feeding our own children that we revisit our childhood nutrition experiences—comments that shaped us, arbitrary rules, pressure around healthy eating, and the quiet guilt many of us carry. Feeding kids has a way of surfacing old narratives and challenging us to rethink what child nutrition really means. This is where the conversation begins—supporting families through toddler feeding, early childhood feeding, and raising children with a strong, positive relationship with food. Because nourishing your family isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity, confidence, and understanding what truly matters in the early years. You are in the right place if you are asking questions like:     -How do I get my child to eat vegetables?     -Why does my toddler suddenly refuse to eat (or only eat one thing)?     -Is my child eating enough to grow properly?     -How much protein does my child actually need?     -What are the best healthy snacks for kids?     -How much milk should my child drink, and what kind?     -How can I improve my child's immune system through food?     -How can I help my child have a healthy relationship with food?

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Liz Daniels, DO, RD, FAAP
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nutrition for the Early Years
  • Show Website
    Nutrition for the Early Years