About the Author

Dr. Katja Rowell is a board-certified family physician with over a decade of clinical experience. She is also an adoptive mother who understands firsthand the complexities of feeding a child from a hard place. Her approach blends medical knowledge with a deep respect for each child's history, making her guidance both authoritative and empathetic. Dr. Rowell writes with warmth and clarity, ensuring that even the most overwhelmed parent feels empowered.

Why This Book Matters for Your Child's Health

Feeding an adopted child can feel like navigating a minefield. Worries about weight, picky eating, and power struggles at the dinner table are common—but they don't have to define your family's mealtime. Love Me, Feed Me is a compassionate, evidence-based children's health book written specifically for adoptive parents. Dr. Katja Rowell combines medical expertise with real-world parenting experience to help you build a healthy, joyful relationship with food. Readers have shared that the strategies in this book turned their mealtimes from stressful to peaceful, and helped their children expand their diet beyond a handful of foods. This is not just about nutrition; it's about nurturing trust and connection through food.

Who Should Read This Book?

This book is essential for:

• Adoptive parents struggling with picky eating, overeating, or undereating.
• Foster parents and kinship caregivers navigating feeding challenges.
• Therapists, dietitians, and pediatricians working with adoptive families.
• Anyone who wants to prevent or heal disordered eating in children with early adversity.

What You'll Learn Inside

This guide covers the most pressing feeding challenges faced by adoptive families. You'll discover:

• How to stop worrying about weight and focus on health-promoting habits without pressure.
• Practical strategies for picky eating that respect your child's history and sensory needs.
• Ending power struggles by shifting from control to collaboration at meals.
• Understanding the impact of early trauma on eating behaviours and how to address it gently.
• Step-by-step guidance for introducing new foods, managing snack requests, and setting boundaries without battles.

The book draws on research in pediatric nutrition, attachment theory, and feeding therapy—making it a trustworthy resource for parents and professionals alike.

Key Takeaways for Parents

• Trust your child's innate ability to regulate hunger and fullness when given appropriate choices.
• Create a structured eating environment with predictable meals and snacks to reduce anxiety.
• Separate responsibility: parents provide what, when, and where; children decide whether and how much to eat.
• Address weight concerns holistically—focus on growth, activity, and family habits rather than numbers on a scale.
• Use neutral language around food to avoid creating shame or obsession.

Each concept is explained with clear examples and scripts you can adapt to your family's unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I address picky eating without power struggles?

The book emphasizes the Division of Responsibility in feeding: you choose the foods and timing, your child chooses what and how much from what's offered. Over time, this builds trust and curiosity. Dr. Rowell also provides tips for expanding food acceptance without pressure.

Will this book help if my child was adopted at an older age?

Absolutely. The strategies are adaptable for children of all ages, including teens. The book addresses the unique needs of older adoptees who may have established eating habits or food-related trauma.

Does the book offer specific meal plans or diets?

No. This is not a diet book. Instead, it focuses on the how of feeding—creating a positive mealtime environment and responding to your child's cues. It includes sample schedules and food lists, but no rigid protocols.

Is medical advice provided?

This book is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your pediatrician before making any changes to your child's diet or addressing specific health concerns.