Parents navigating the journey of feeding children are often met with outdated advice, conflicting information, and little practical guidance—leading to stress, nutrition gaps, picky eating, and the fear of “getting it wrong.” As registered dietitians, we have the opportunity to bridge the gap between science and real-life application, equipping parents with the tools to raise confident, adventurous eaters from infancy through the teenage years. This session will explore research showing that early feeding practices—beyond nutrients alone—can shape lifelong eating behaviors, mental well-being, and family dynamics. Participants will gain evidence-based strategies tailored to each developmental stage—infants, toddlers, and teens—while learning how to help families shift from focusing solely on nutrients to building stronger connections at the table. Through science, real-world examples, and practical communication tools, RDs will be prepared to foster healthier food relationships and guide families toward confident eating for life.
At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
- Translate the latest science on infant, toddler, and adolescent nutrition into practical, parent-friendly guidance.
- Identify key nutrient priorities and feeding practices across life stages—from early flavor and texture exposure in infancy, to managing picky eating in toddlers, to supporting growth, independence, and bone health in school-age children and teens.
- Strengthen communication skills to move beyond “eat this, not that,” delivering messages that reduce stress, build resilience, and foster positive family mealtime experiences.
