Mom Talk with Andrea of NutriKidz
In a few sentences (we know you don’t have much time!) tell us about yourself, your little one, and your motherhood journey…
My name is Andrea and I am a wife, mother, foodie, and dietitian. I live in Leslieville with my husband, fur baby, Jax, and my son, Archer. I’ve heard people say time speeds up when you have children and there’s definitely some truth to that. I don’t know where the time went, but my son is now a walking, talking 16 month old toddler. Professionally I am a pediatric dietitian and founded my own nutrition company, NutriKidz, in 2014. I work individually with families to help them with their child’s nutrition challenges, and collaborate with brands and community companies.
Must Haves
What is one thing you couldn’t live without as a mom?
There are so many…
First off, my husband. I can’t imagine this journey without him.
I think this question was meant for specific products, so I’d have to say that in early infancy, the white noise machine was key in ensuring my son would sleep well and stay asleep despite any outside noises. As he got older, and still to this day, I absolutely love our reusable pouches from Sage Spoonfuls which I use daily for homemade smoothies. On that note, I cannot live without my Vitamix blender. I used it to make countless recipes for my son when he started eating solids and use it on a daily basis for my whole family.
What is one purchase that has been the biggest waste of money?
This question took me the longest to answer. I think because although we seemed to have an obscene about of “stuff” in preparation for the baby, it was all very carefully and thoughtfully picked out. I tried to choose items that would grow with my child and tried to stick to just the essentials.
You’ve been there, done that… so what would you say… save or splurge?
Sleepers? Save. These items see all kinds of messes, so I suggest checking out a few stores and looking out for sales. When they go on sale, stock up! I usually keep a roster of 5-6 in each size.
Swaddles/blankets? Spluge. It’s also helpful if you have a few to stick into diaper bags, cars/strollers, because you never know when you’ll need another one. I really like the Aden and Anais muslin swaddles. For blankets, I love the dream blanket by Aden and Anais and also purchased a monthly, custom super-soft blanket from Etsy.
Stroller? Splurge. Something you could also save on, but in my case, it was a splurge. I wanted a stroller that could get through the unshoveled Toronto winter sidewalks, and fold up easily and fairly compact for my Toronto-sized home. After checking out a few, we decided on the Bugaboo Fox and I love it. You can also customize the materials which is a fun bonus.
High chair? Spurge (I’m seeing a trend!). Feeding is my jam, and I wanted to make sure that from my son’s first meal, he was eating at the table with us. I also liked the idea of having a chair that grows with him. For these reasons we opted for the Stokke high chair. It comes in many colours so it can fit your decor. I absolutely love it and so does my son.
Diapers and wipes? Splurge. Most diapers and wipes don’t come cheap anyway, but I think the extra cents per diaper/wipe is money well spent to make sure that little tush is wrapped with fragrance free, pure varieties.
Three things that are always in your diaper bag (besides diapers)?
Shelf-stable snacks (freeze dried fruit, crackers) and water.
Hand sanitizer.
Books and other quiet toys.
Book Club
What is your favourite children’s book?
I find the favourites are always changing. Right now it’s Night Cars which is a dreamy story that we read before bedtime. Another favourite is Toronto ABC which has great artwork showing off popular spots in the city.
Which book could you recite from memory (aka. your child’s fave)?
Pout Pout Fish used to be a favourite but Archer doesn’t quite have the patience for it anymore. I can however, recite it with specific voices for each character.
Mini Style
What are your favourite places to shop for your babe?
Local shops in my neighbourhood for toys, books, feeding supplies and apparel. I also love Mini Mioche, Zara, Gap, and Carters for clothing basics.
Feeding Kids
What advice would you give to parents who are getting ready to feed their babies solids for the first time?
Feeding kids is my specialty, so first off, I suggest parents do their research and consider a consultation with a pediatric dietitian. I also recommend parents be flexible in their choice to spoon feed or implement the more popular Baby-Led-Weaning approach and even offer a combination of both. Every baby is different, and as parents we need to respect that and offer them the style of feeding that best suits them. Another important consideration is to ensure you babe is offered the top allergen foods to help prevent food allergies.
And what about older kids — can you tell us some of your favourite go-to snacks or meal elements that are good for them and they’ll (hopefully!) love?
Snacks should be easy. Don’t make it stressful, and keep it to whole foods. Great combinations would be sliced apples with natural peanut butter, whole-grain pita with mashed avocado, vegetable sticks and hummus, cheddar cheese and grapes (sliced/quartered depending on the age).
Meals don’t have to be fancy. We are all busy, and I get it. Try to have some vegetables or fruits, whole grains, and a plant-based or animal-based protein choice.
When it comes to feeding kids, what are some of your must have tools?
My favourite portable chair is the Phil and Ted’s Lobster chair. It’s small, it’s easy to use, and ensures your child can eat at the table with everyone else, even when you’re dining out. Nearly every time we go to a restaurant and use it, someone comes over to me and asks about it. This would make an excellent baby-shower gift.
I use the silicon Ezpz mats for meals and snacks, however, in my experience they don’t stay stuck to the table. Despite this, I still like them because they are dishwasher and microwavable safe, they are easy to clean by hand, and small enough to keep a spare one in your diaper bag.
When it comes to learning how to drink from a cup, skip the sippy and go for a cup with a weighted straw, the Munchkin 360, or the adorable Tiny Cup from Ezpz.
Mom Talk
What advice would you tell your pregnant self?
Sleep in more often. This is a luxury that is hard to come by. I would also enjoy being spontaneous, because that is something that gets harder to be, after children.
What was one thing you thought about motherhood that proved to be untrue?
I was always told that if I showered or got dressed after having a child, that was a good day. I’ve gotta say, I didn’t find these tasks to be too difficult to achieve. What I didn’t realize was how important it was to stick to a sleep schedule. I am so glad we did, because my son has been an amazing sleeper!
As a working mom, how do you find “balance” between work and motherhood?
Finding a true balance is hard but having schedules and a good routine helps. I am an organized planner and try not to procrastinate. Doing this helps me stay focused and present whether I am spending time with my son or husband, or if I am working on a project or with clients.
Who is your momspiration?
Every. Single. Mom. Women are incredible and amazing. At the top of the list would be my own mother. She is a huge source of inspiration for me. My mom tribe have helped me through many of the challenges first-time mom’s face, and I am so grateful for them.