Happy October Well Fed Feeding Family!

As the crisp air rolls in and the leaves change color, October is the perfect time to have some fun with food! This month, we’re focusing on food play and seasonal flavors to inspire creativity and connection at the table. Whether you’re exploring with a curious toddler or introducing solids to a baby, food is more than just fuel—it’s a chance to play, discover, and bond as a family.

In this newsletter, you’ll find five food play ideas and three ways to cook with seasonal fall ingredients that your little ones will love. Get ready for some messy, sensory fun!

🎨 5 Fall Food Play Ideas

1. Pumpkin Gut Exploration

   • Scoop out the insides of a pumpkin and let your child explore the seeds and slimy pulp with their hands.

   • Bonus: Roast the seeds afterward with cinnamon or garlic for a crunchy snack!

2. Apple Stamps

   • Slice an apple in half, dip it in paint or natural dye (like beet juice), and stamp it onto paper.

   • For little ones, try edible paint (yogurt with food coloring) for safe sensory play.

3. Vegetable Sensory Sorting

   • Give your child a variety of small fall vegetables (mini pumpkins, gourds, squash, or Brussels sprouts) and let them sort by size, color, or texture. Model lots of vocabulary to go along with the food you are exploring. Think outside the box to include words like plump, zesty, creamy, wet, and stringy!

4. “Witch’s Brew” Potion Making

   • Set up a pretend kitchen station with containers of oats, rice, and water. Let kids mix their own “potions” using spoons and bowls.

   • Add food coloring for some extra fun, or encourage them to pretend they're cooking soup!

5. Carrot and Celery “Paintbrushes”

   • Use vegetables like carrots or celery stalks as paintbrushes for art projects. This helps kids get comfortable with touching and handling new foods.

🍂 3 Autumn Ingredients & Simple Cooking Variations

1. Apples

Apples are perfect for introducing natural sweetness and fun textures to kids. Here are three ways to use them:

• Baked Apple Slices: Slice apples thinly, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm or pack for school lunches!

• Apple Smoothies: Blend apples with yogurt, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey (for kids over 12 months). Add spinach or oats for an extra boost.

• Homemade Applesauce: Peel, core, and chop apples. Simmer with water and cinnamon until soft, then mash or blend into a smooth puree. Mix up the flavor with a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of maple syrup.

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin isn't just for pies! Here are three simple ways to cook with it:

• Pumpkin Pancakes: Add a spoonful of pumpkin puree and cinnamon to your favorite pancake batter for a festive twist.

• Pumpkin Yogurt Bowls: Stir pumpkin puree into yogurt with a sprinkle of granola and nut butter on top.

• Savory Pumpkin Soup: Puree pumpkin with vegetable broth, garlic, and a pinch of sage. Serve with crusty bread for dipping, in a side dish to dip chicken nuggets into, or pour over meatballs.

3. Sweet Potatoes

These nutrient-packed veggies are great for babies and kids alike!

• Sweet Potato Fries: Slice sweet potatoes into thin strips, toss with olive oil, and bake at 400°F until crispy. Make them more friendly by serving half regular french fries and half sweet potato french fries along with your favorite dip!

• Sweet Potato Puree: Steam or roast, then mash with breastmilk or formula for babies just starting solids.

• Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Roast whole sweet potatoes and fill with black beans, cheese, and avocado for an easy, kid-friendly dinner.

🥄 The Takeaway

Food play and exploration are powerful ways to build positive associations with eating and encourage children to try new foods. Whether you’re scooping pumpkin guts or baking apple slices, every little moment counts toward developing lifelong healthy eating habits.

Need more personalized advice for your little one’s feeding journey? Schedule a consultation with me—I'm always here to help!

New Workshop Announcement!

Nourishing Neurodiversity:

Empowering Families to Embrace and Celebrate Their Child's Individual Feeding Journey

I’m excited to introduce a new monthly workshop designed specifically for parents of neurodiverse children—Nourishing Neurodiversity: Empowering Families to Embrace and Celebrate Their Child’s Individual Feeding Journey!

To register for this month’s session or learn more, click here.

This workshop, hosted by Lauren Thompson, Speech-Language Pathologist, offers a safe and supportive space for families to connect, learn, and grow together. Whether you attend virtually or in person at our Londonderry office, this intimate workshop (limited to 15 families per session) will provide practical strategies to:

• Learn about your child’s sensory preferences and how to capitalize on these when expanding your child’s food repertoire.

• Encourage sensory exploration using pressure-free language.

• Build mealtime routines centered on trust, connection, and joy.

At Nourishing Neurodiversity, we take a neurodiversity-affirming approach, embracing each child's unique journey. This workshop is perfect for parents looking for ways to reduce mealtime stress, support their child’s sensory needs, and build their ND tribe.

Details For Virtual Meet Ups:
📅 When: Thursday November 7
📍 Where: Zoom

Details For In-Person Meet Ups:
📅 When: Thursday November 14
📍 Where: 1B Commons Drive #7 Londonderry, NH 03053
👨‍👩‍👧 Who: Open to families of neurodiverse children of all ages
💡 Why Join?: Learn new strategies, celebrate your child’s unique feeding progress, and grow your parent community!

Sign Up Now!

Light refreshments and beverages will be served at in-person workshops. Please email me if you have any allergies or diet modifications that I need to accommodate.

Spots are limited to ensure meaningful interactions, so be sure to register early. We look forward to growing and learning with you each month!

Stay tuned for the next session announcement, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Together, we can create positive, joyful mealtime experiences for the whole family!

Enjoy the fall fun, and don’t forget to embrace the mess along the way!

Until Next Time,
Lauren

Well Fed Feeding and Swallowing Therapy