by Nimali Fernando, Melanie Potock

Now updated in a second edition—the category-leading guide to parenting adventurous eaters

Pediatrician Nimali Fernando and feeding therapist Melanie Potock (aka Dr. Yum and Coach Mel) know the importance of giving your child the right start on their food journey—for good health, motor skills, and even cognitive and emotional development. In this updated, second edition of Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater, they explain how to expand your family’s food horizons, avoid the picky eater trap, identify special feeding needs, and put joy back into mealtimes, with

• the latest research and advice tailored to every stage from newborn through school-age
• new guidance on pacifiers, thumb-sucking, feeding concerns, and barriers to eating well
• helpful insights on the sensory system, difficult mealtime behaviors, and everything from baby-led weaning to sippy cups
• and seven “passport stamps” for modern parenting: joyful, compassionate, brave, patient, consistent, proactive, and mindful.

Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater shows the way to lead your child on the path to adventurous eating. Grab your passport and go!

“Pediatrician Nimali Fernando and feeding therapist Melanie Potock take compassion and camaraderie to arm parents with knowledge and techniques.”—Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
 
“Whether you are an exasperated or apprehensive parent of a picky eater or you just want to be a better parent—you need this resource. With wisdom, wit, and candor, Dr. Nimali Fernando and Melanie Potock will take you on a fascinating journey into the mind and sensory system of your fickle eaters, helping you to understand why they taste, see, hear, touch, and experience the squeaky sound of a bite of broccoli differently than you do.”—Daniel Feiten, MD, clinical professor of pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, founder & CEO of Pediatric Web Inc. & RemedyConnect Inc., and author of The Owner’s Manual for New Mothers
 
“It’s very difficult to write a book regarding feeding practices in children because of the extreme differences in every child’s eating style and habits. However, Nimali Fernando and Melanie Potock offer exceptional, timeless advice on how to create an eating environment for your child that is healthy, happy, and stress-free for the child and parent. A very difficult task, but they have hit a home run with this book. The insightful suggestions based on the child’s age allows for the individuality necessary for success. This book should be given to each new parent at the birth of their first child.”—Theodore Stathos, MD, Director of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, The Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, and President, Rocky Mountain Pediatric Gastroenterology

 
“As a mom of three, I have experienced just how challenging mealtimes can be. As a psychologist, I know that shared mealtimes are essential to good mental health in families. All kids are unique; with different likes and dislikes, different body types and habits—it takes constant effort to provide healthy, interesting meals. In their book Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater, Dr. Nimali Fernando and Melanie Potock provide innovative, fun, healthy, and, most importantly, doable solutions to just about every challenge around kids and food. This book would make a great gift for new parents and is a must-read for parents of older children as well.”—Stephanie S. Smith, PsyD psychologist, writer at DrStephanieSmith.com, and advisory board member for ProduceForKids.com
 
“The unique perspectives of both authors—a physician dedicated to pediatric eating habits and a speech language pathologist specializing in safe feeding and swallowing—fills this book with multi-dimensional, helpful information for getting children to eat more healthily and safely. After reading this book you will sharpen your skills in parenting mindfully, feeding confidently, and avoiding picky eating! This book is also ideal for speech language pathology and occupational therapy students hoping to one day become feeding specialists.”—Dawn Winkelmann, MS, CCC-SLP, speech language pathologist and feeding specialist