Helping Toddlers Try More Foods, What a Fresh Parents Article Gets Right
Why this article matters right now
Parents just published a timely piece on meeting a picky eater’s needs during travel, updated September 5, 2025. The tips are not only useful for vacations, they translate neatly to everyday toddler feeding at home. The core ideas are small exposures, low pressure, consistent routines, and realistic expectations. Those ideas pair perfectly with practical tools, toddler sippy cups, ergonomic toddler utensils, easy wipe silicone bibs, and stable handheld bowls. When gear reduces friction, your child can focus on exploring new flavors and textures.
Make sampling easy with tiny portions and familiar tools
The article recommends sample sized portions and a calm conversation about shape, color, and texture before tasting. At home, make that exploration feel safe by serving bite size finger foods in small, grabbable containers and encouraging sips of water between tries. Keep an open cup or straw style toddler sippy cup nearby for palate cleanses, aim for spill proof and BPA free materials. If you prefer stainless, a stainless steel sippy cup helps with durability and temperature control. Browse options in the Avanchy toddler cups collection.
When you introduce solids or lean into baby led weaning, toddlers often accept new foods best when they can self pace. Offer one or two micro portions first, then let them request more. This keeps the table low pressure, which is essential for picky eating.
Routine builds trust, gear keeps it consistent
A predictable setup says, this is your place to explore. Seat your toddler, clip on a silicone bib with a comfy neck and a deep catch pocket, then place a few pieces of soft fruit or steamed veggies. Consistent gear becomes a cue, time to taste and talk. Choose bibs that wipe clean and travel well, helpful for restaurants or park snacks. See options in the Avanchy bibs collection.
Toddlers thrive on repetition. Offer the same food in many small exposures, switch shapes or seasoning lightly. Keep familiar tools in the mix so the only novelty is the food.
Cups that support skills without mess
The Parents article highlights pairing foods and letting kids feel in control. Part of that control is safe sipping. Rotate between open cup and straw cup to build oral motor skills, and use lids when needed to protect the table or stroller. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises offering a cup when solids start, usually near 6 months, and moving away from bottles with practice and patience. See their guidance, From Bottle to Cup. Match that guidance with an Avanchy toddler sippy cup that is spill proof and BPA free for daily use, and stainless steel for on the go durability, check the toddler cups.
Toddler utensils that fit small hands
Self feeding is a motor skill, not a switch. Give toddlers toddler utensils with chunky, easy grip handles and a shallow spoon bowl that makes scooping simpler. Offer the utensil alongside finger foods so your child can alternate, confidence grows when success is frequent. Keep expectations low and praise effort, you touched it, you scooped it, you tasted it. Explore ergonomic toddler utensils in the Avanchy utensils collection.
Silicone bibs reduce cleanup, which reduces pressure
More mess usually means more exploration. A soft silicone bib that catches drips lets you say yes to saucy veggies or yogurt dips that picky eaters often prefer. Less cleanup equals less tension, and less tension often equals more eating. Find comfortable, easy rinse choices in the silicone bibs collection.
Handheld bowls to right size portions
Oversized plates can overwhelm a toddler. Small, steady, handheld bowls keep portions appropriate and prevent tip overs during early scooping. Offer two to three small tastes in separate passes rather than loading the bowl. This fits the article’s idea of snack pairing and small steps. When they finish, let them ask for a refill, autonomy matters for picky eating. See sturdy, toddler friendly options in the Avanchy bowls collection.
Snack pairing that fuels, at home and away
Parents suggests pairing food groups for travel, protein with fat, fat with carb, carb with protein. Do the same at home to balance energy and support growth. Think avocado with toast fingers, hummus with soft pita, yogurt with banana slices, shredded chicken with sweet potato cubes. Present two or three choices at once in right sized portions, then rotate new items over the week.
Safety and sizing reminders that support success
Keep foods soft and easy to bite, cut grapes, cherry tomatoes, and hot dogs lengthwise then into small pieces. Serve portions that are toddler sized, small at first, then more if requested. For portion planning and expectations, the AAP’s Serving Sizes for Toddlers page is a helpful reference for caregivers who worry about intake.
Put it together, a simple starter routine
- Clip on a silicone bib and seat your child, calm and unhurried.
- Place a small handheld bowl with two or three bite size foods, start with familiar items plus one new taste.
- Offer an open cup sip or toddler sippy cup sip between tastes, stainless or BPA free, ideally spill proof.
- Set out toddler utensils and let your child decide when to try them, keep fingers in play too.
- Praise curiosity, not volume eaten, and repeat tomorrow.
Further reading
- HealthyChildren.org, From Bottle to Cup, helping your child make the transition
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