By nature, River was a grazer. She developed her eating habits trying anything we lay before her from our magical bag of tricks. A cracker would amuse; a strawberry would provide mess; a cereal bar would catch interest; and anything green was laughable.
With Oak, we quickly realized we were in for a whole new set of feeding frenzies. For a while, when he started eating solids, it felt as if the only thing that held his attention was a yogurt and oatmeal of some kind. We later expanded his horizons to smoothies, and then we found a healthy balance with Plum’s pouches. Each pouch combined his favorite go-tos, and also allowed us a breather in-between. We thought we’d found the trick—until he gave up yogurt..
The stint was short-lived, but we realized, unlike River, Oak was just plain picky and stubborn. For a while I felt he lived off only air, and he was surely going to keel over at any one time from his refusal. And though this sounds a tad dramatic, isn’t everything when it comes to your kids?
We turned to Plum again, where Dr. Greene’s core messaging is relatable and approachable. He actually reminds me of my father in-law, who also has that “friend of a friend’s” doctor feel. In Greene’s series of videos which touch on various subjects that parents face with toddlers, we found an answer that had been under our nose for quite some time. Oak likes real food. We’re talking about mama’s cooking. He loves rices and beans, pasta and vegetables, chicken, sweet potatoes, soups, lentils, sautéed anything, just food. And this was like some kind of revelation, but Oak didn’t want to eat like a baby.
Per Dr. Greene’s suggestion, we started making every-single meal count. Honestly, we kind of got rid of snacks as a whole, only on the occasion that we’re out running around. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are hearty and balanced, and there’s less wondering about his overall health.
And for the most part, I know this too shall pass. Someday he’ll enter another phase where mama’s meals won’t suffice; we’ll be shuffling about trying to figure out what to give him just to keep him pumping along, but that is just part of the fun—and sort of the agony—of being a mother! There’s always a new phase lurking around the corner. I’m thankful for sources and friends who tend to be there just as you’re left scratching your head (or worse, pulling your hair).
Is your toddler a grazer like River or picky like Oak?
This post is in partnership with Plum. A company we have used and loved for years.
