Turning the Tables: 5 Resolutions for Parents with Picky Eaters in the New Year

As we step into a new year, many parents find themselves reflecting on their parenting journey and looking for ways to improve family dynamics. For parents dealing with picky eaters, mealtime can be a source of stress and frustration. However, the start of a new year provides a perfect opportunity to set resolutions and create positive changes in your household. Here are five New Year's resolutions for parents with picky eaters that can transform mealtime into a more enjoyable and nutritious experience.

1. Embrace Variety: This year, try to introduce a variety of foods to expand your child's palate. Picky eaters often stick to a handful of familiar foods, limiting their exposure to different flavors and textures. Make it a resolution to incorporate a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains into your child's diet. Experiment with new recipes and be patient as your young one adjusts to the changes. Gradually and playfully introducing variety can open up new possibilities and make mealtime more interesting.

2. Involve Your Child in Meal Planning: Include your picky eater in the meal planning process! Empower your child by involving them in the decision-making process when it comes to meal planning. Take them grocery shopping and let them choose a new fruit or vegetable to try. Encourage them to contribute ideas for meals and snacks. When children feel a sense of ownership over their food choices, they may become more willing to try new things.

3. Create a Positive Dining Environment: Work on fostering a positive and stress-free atmosphere during mealtimes. The atmosphere during meals can significantly impact a child's willingness to try new foods. Make it a resolution to create a calm and enjoyable dining environment. Avoid pressuring your child to eat and instead focus on creating positive associations with meals. Turn off electronic devices, engage in light conversation, and make mealtimes a time for family bonding.

4. Be a Role Model: Model healthy eating habits for my picky eater. Children often imitate the behavior of their parents, so make it a resolution to be a positive role model when it comes to food choices. Demonstrate a healthy relationship with food by enjoying a variety of nutritious foods yourself. Avoid negative comments about certain foods, and instead, express enthusiasm for trying new things! Your child is more likely to follow your lead and develop a healthier attitude toward food.

5. Celebrate Small Victories: Celebrate my child's small victories in trying new foods. Instead of focusing on the battles over what your child won't eat, shift your attention to the victories – no matter how small. Celebrate every time your picky eater tries a new food or takes an extra bite. Positive reinforcement can help create a positive association with trying new foods and make the process more enjoyable for both parent and child.

Embarking on a journey to improve your child's eating habits can be challenging but rewarding. By setting these New Year's resolutions, parents with picky eaters can create a more positive and diverse eating experience for the whole family. Remember, small changes can lead to big results over time. Cheers to a year of delicious discoveries and shared meals!

From Picky Bites to Healthy Appetites: The Magic of Early Intervention in Feeding Disorders

Feeding disorders can cast a shadow over a child's growth and development, affecting not only their physical health but also their emotional well-being. These disorders encompass a range of challenges, from picky eating to severe feeding aversions, and can lead to nutritional deficiencies, delayed growth, and even long-term psychological impacts. The key to addressing these concerns lies in early intervention – a proactive approach that can significantly enhance a child's quality of life and future prospects.

Feeding disorders encompass a wide spectrum of difficulties, including food aversions, sensory sensitivities, oral motor deficits, and more. For parents and caregivers, these challenges can be incredibly distressing, often leaving them feeling helpless and unsure of the right steps to take. It's essential to recognize that feeding disorders are not solely about a child being 'picky' or 'difficult.' They can stem from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, making each case unique.

Early intervention, as the name suggests, involves identifying and addressing issues at the earliest stages possible. When it comes to feeding disorders, this approach can be truly transformative. Here's why:

1. Optimal Development

The first few years of a child's life are critical for growth and development. Nutritional deficiencies resulting from feeding disorders can have long-lasting effects on physical and cognitive development. Early intervention helps address these deficiencies and ensure that children receive the nutrients they need during this crucial phase.

2. Preventing Escalation

Addressing feeding difficulties early can prevent them from escalating into more severe problems. For example, a child with sensory sensitivities to certain textures might develop avoidant behaviors that lead to a limited diet. Without intervention, this behavior could persist, leading to nutritional imbalances and potential social isolation.

3. Psychological Well-being

Feeding disorders can impact a child's self-esteem and emotional well-being. Struggling with mealtime can cause anxiety and distress, and negative associations with food may develop. Early intervention can help children establish healthier relationships with food, reducing the risk of long-term psychological issues.

4. Family Dynamics

Feeding challenges often create stress within families. Mealtime can become a battleground, affecting parent-child relationships and overall family harmony. With early intervention, families can learn effective strategies to manage feeding difficulties in a supportive and positive manner.

Final Thoughts: A Brighter Future

The journey to overcoming feeding disorders can be challenging, but with early intervention, the path becomes smoother and the outcomes more promising. Early identification and intervention empower children and families to navigate these challenges, fostering healthier relationships with food and enabling optimal physical and psychological development. By recognizing the signs, seeking professional help, and embracing a comprehensive approach, we can unlock a brighter future for children struggling with feeding disorders. Remember, the earlier we act, the more significant the impact we can make on a child's life.

S.O.S Feeding Therapy: Unlocking the Joy of Mealtime

Mealtime can be an incredibly challenging experience for picky eaters, causing distress for both the child and their caregivers. However, there is a ray of hope in the form of SOS feeding therapy. SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) feeding therapy is a comprehensive and evidence-based program designed specifically for picky eaters. It aims to help children overcome their selective eating habits, expand their food repertoire, and foster a positive relationship with food. In this blog post, we will delve into the principles and benefits of SOS feeding therapy, shedding light on how it can transform mealtime struggles into enjoyable experiences for picky eaters and their families.

Understanding SOS Feeding Therapy: SOS feeding therapy is a specialized approach that acknowledges the unique challenges faced by picky eaters. It recognizes that picky eating is often rooted in sensory, oral motor, behavioral, and nutritional factors. As a holistic program, SOS feeding therapy addresses these underlying issues to help children broaden their food preferences and improve their eating habits. A multidisciplinary team, including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and registered dietitians, typically leads the therapy sessions, ensuring a comprehensive and personalized approach for each child.

Key Principles of SOS Feeding Therapy:

1. Gradual Food Introduction: SOS feeding therapy employs a gradual and systematic approach to introduce new foods to picky eaters. The process begins by allowing the child to explore and interact with unfamiliar foods through play, slowly progressing towards tasting and eventually consuming them. This method helps build a positive association with food, reduces anxiety, and encourages a willingness to try new things.

2. Sensory Integration: Picky eaters often struggle with the sensory aspects of food, such as texture, smell, and taste. SOS feeding therapy incorporates sensory integration techniques to help picky eaters become more comfortable with different food attributes. Through engaging sensory experiences, such as touching, smelling, and tasting various textures, picky eaters can gradually desensitize themselves and improve their tolerance for a wider range of foods.

3. Oral Motor Skill Development: Many picky eaters face challenges with oral motor skills, including chewing, swallowing, and tongue movement. SOS feeding therapy includes exercises and activities that target these skills, allowing picky eaters to develop the necessary strength and coordination required for consuming a variety of foods safely and efficiently.

4. Parent/Caregiver Involvement: SOS feeding therapy recognizes the pivotal role of parents and caregivers in the feeding journey of picky eaters. They are actively involved in therapy sessions, learning techniques and strategies to implement at home. By actively participating, parents and caregivers provide consistent support and create a nurturing environment for the child's progress, ultimately enhancing the success of the therapy.

Benefits of SOS Feeding Therapy:

1. Expanded Food Repertoire: SOS feeding therapy is highly effective in expanding the food repertoire of picky eaters. By gradually introducing new foods and addressing underlying sensory and motor issues, picky eaters become more accepting of different textures, tastes, and food groups. This increased variety leads to improved nutritional intake and overall health.

2. Improved Mealtime Experience: SOS feeding therapy has the power to transform mealtimes from stressful and challenging events into positive and enjoyable experiences. As picky eaters gain confidence and experience success with eating, they develop a healthier relationship with food and feel more relaxed during meals. This positive change not only benefits the child but also positively impacts the entire family's well-being.

3. Enhanced Social Skills: Picky eaters often face social challenges and tend to isolate themselves during mealtime activities with peers. SOS feeding therapy not only focuses on improving eating skills but also enhances social interaction and engagement during meals. By expanding their food choices, picky eaters can participate more fully in shared meals, fostering a sense of belonging and connection with others.

4. Nutritional Adequacy: Addressing feeding challenges and expanding food options through SOS feeding therapy ensures that picky eaters receive a balanced and nutritious diet. By incorporating a wider variety of foods, picky eaters can access the essential nutrients their bodies need for healthy growth and development.

For picky eaters, SOS feeding therapy provides a beacon of hope and effective solutions. By targeting sensory integration, oral motor skill development, and gradual food introduction, this evidence-based approach empowers picky eaters to overcome their selective eating habits and develop a positive relationship with food. With the guidance and support of a dedicated therapy team, picky eaters and their families can unlock the joy of mealtime and pave the way for a lifetime of healthy eating habits and enjoyable dining experiences.

Schedule a free consultation today to discuss how SOS could help your little one! Learn more by watching this free parent/caregiver webinar.

“The SOS Approach to Feeding program was developed by and copyrighted by Dr. Kay Toomey.  Please note, all materials, documents, and forms taken from the SOS Approach to Feeding program are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Dr. Kay Toomey. For more information on the SOS Approach to Feeding program, please visit www.sosapproach.com.”

Nurturing Chewing Skills in Children: A Vital Milestone in Development

As parents and caregivers, we often celebrate the significant milestones our children achieve, from their first steps to their first words. However, there's another crucial developmental milestone that sometimes goes unnoticed: the development of chewing skills. Chewing plays a fundamental role in a child's overall growth and nutrition. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of chewing skills, discuss the developmental stages involved, and provide practical strategies to support your child's journey towards successful chewing.

The Significance of Chewing Skills

Effective chewing skills are essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Chewing helps break down food into smaller particles, making it easier for the body to extract nutrients and energy. Additionally, it promotes oral motor development, strengthens jaw muscles, and enhances overall oral health. Developing efficient chewing skills not only supports nutrition but also lays the foundation for speech and language development.

Stages of Chewing Development:

1. Introduction to Table Foods: Introducing table foods marks the beginning of the chewing journey. Initially, at about 4-6 months, children rely on purees and softer textures, gradually transitioning to more textured and solid foods over time. Chewing skills will start to emerge around this time. You will notice your child moving their tongue from side to side and moving their jaw from side to side.

2. Munching and Mashing: Around 8-12 months, babies start to experiment with munching and mashing actions using their gums and emerging teeth and back molars. This stage helps them explore different textures and learn the concept of chewing. With help, your baby might be able to break off pieces of meltable foods such as a baby puff. During this time, your baby should also be starting to learn a skill called tongue tip lateralization. In other words, using the tip of their tongue to sweep the food onto the back molars.

3. Rotary Chewing: Between 12-18 months, children begin to develop a more coordinated rotary chewing motion. They use their tongue and jaw to move food from side to side, further breaking it down for swallowing.

4. Refined Chewing Skills: By the age of 2-3 years, children refine their chewing skills and can handle a wider variety of textures and consistencies. They exhibit increased control and coordination in their chewing patterns.

Promoting Healthy Chewing Skills:

1. Introduction of Textures: Gradually introduce age-appropriate textures, starting with purees and progressing to more solid foods. Offer a variety of textures to expose your child to different sensations and stimulate their chewing development.

2. Encourage Self-Feeding: Encourage self-feeding to allow your child to practice and develop their chewing skills independently. Offer finger foods that require biting and chewing, promoting hand-eye coordination and oral motor development.

3. Provide Chewing Challenges: Offer foods that require more effort to chew, such as crunchy fruits and vegetables or chewy textures like whole-grain bread or lean meats. This helps strengthen jaw muscles and improves chewing efficiency.

4. Patience and Role Modeling: Be patient during mealtime and provide a positive eating environment. Show your child how to chew properly by modeling appropriate chewing techniques.

5. Consult with a Pediatric Feeding Specialist: If you notice persistent difficulties or delays in your child's chewing skills, consider consulting with a pediatric feeding specialist. They can provide personalized guidance, evaluate any underlying issues, and recommend appropriate interventions if needed.

Nurturing and supporting the development of chewing skills in children is crucial for their overall growth, nutrition, and oral health. By understanding the stages of chewing development and implementing practical strategies, we can help our children become confident, efficient chewers. Remember, each child develops at their own pace, so embrace their progress, celebrate their achievements, and provide a positive and supportive mealtime experience.

A Guide to Choosing the Right Utensils for Your Baby's Self-Feeding Journey

As your baby grows and reaches important milestones, introducing solid foods becomes an exciting and essential part of their development. Alongside this transition, providing the right utensils for your little one can greatly support their self-feeding journey. In this blog post, we will take you through a comprehensive guide on selecting the appropriate utensils for each stage of your baby's growth, ensuring a safe and enjoyable mealtime experience for both of you.

6 Months: Soft-Tipped Pre-Spoons for Gentle Exploration

Around six months of age, your baby is ready to embark on their culinary adventures with purees and soft solids. During this stage, it's crucial to choose soft-tipped pre-spoons that are gentle on their delicate gums. These specially designed spoons typically feature grooves that allow purees to stick easily, enabling your baby to dip into their food effortlessly. Look for spoons with ergonomic handles that are easy for you to hold, ensuring optimal support for your baby's early attempts at self-feeding.

We love the Num Num Pre Spoon GOOtensils

8 Months: Training Spoons for Developing Motor Skills

As your baby's motor skills continue to develop, usually around eight months, introducing training spoons can enhance their scooping technique and hand-eye coordination. Training spoons typically have short, stubby handles and shallow scoops, making it easier for your little one to practice scooping up food. These spoons provide a bridge between the pre-spoons and more advanced utensils to come.

Try out these Grabease utensils

10 Months: Chunky Handled Utensils for Growing Independence

At around ten months, your baby is becoming more independent and eager to feed themselves. This stage calls for utensils with chunky handles and textured grips, offering better control and stability for your little one's developing dexterity. Look for spoons and forks with shallow and rounded prongs to prioritize safety while encouraging self-feeding skills. These utensils will provide the necessary support as your baby transitions from being spoon-fed to exploring self-feeding.

These Bumkins Utensils fit the bill!

18 Months: Toddler Spoons and Forks for Greater Autonomy

Congratulations, your toddler is growing more confident and capable at mealtime! By the age of 18 months, they are likely eager to assert their independence and feed themselves. Toddler spoons and forks are designed to accommodate their evolving skills. Opt for utensils with deeper scoops, longer handles, and blunt prongs, which make self-feeding easier and reduce the risk of accidents. These utensils empower your toddler to take charge of their meals while still ensuring safety.

Check out these OXO Tot Utensils

24 Months: Embracing Independence with Child-Sized Cutlery

At the age of 24 months, your little one has become a pro at the table, ready to embrace utensils resembling mini versions of adult cutlery. Child-sized spoons and forks with proper prongs and comfortable grips will allow your toddler to further develop their self-feeding abilities. Introducing a child-sized blunt knife can also promote independence while teaching them how to handle cutlery responsibly. Encourage their growing autonomy by providing them with the right tools for the job.

These Vitever Stainless Steel Utensils are amazing!

Choosing the appropriate utensils for each stage of your baby's self-feeding journey is crucial for their development and enjoyment of mealtime. Starting with soft-tipped pre-spoons, you gradually progress to training spoons, chunky handled utensils, and finally toddler-sized cutlery. These utensils are carefully designed to support your child's increasing autonomy and motor skills while prioritizing safety. By providing the right tools, you are empowering your little one to explore the world of self-feeding with confidence and joy. Enjoy this exciting phase and savor the precious moments shared during mealtime!

Starting Solids: 7 Things to Know Before Embarking On a Tasty Journey

Prepare your taste buds, folks! We're about to embark on a gourmet adventure as we transition your little one from bottles to solid foods. It's a milestone that promises a buffet of new tastes, textures, and culinary discoveries. So grab your aprons and get ready for a delicious journey filled with giggles and messy mouths. In this blog post, we'll serve up a flavorful guide to help you navigate the world of solids with finesse, ensuring an epicurean experience for both you and your mini foodie.

1) Signs of Readiness: Before donning your chef hat, keep an eye out for signs that your baby is ready to dive into solids:

• When they can sit up with minimal wobbling and rock their highchair runway like a pro.

• When their head and neck control has graduated from bobblehead status.

• When their gaze at your plate transforms into a longing look of food envy.

• When their appetite reaches insatiable heights, and milk feeds alone just don't cut it anymore.

• When the tongue thrust reflex retreats like a scaredy-cat, allowing food to enter the mouth instead of being immediately evicted.

2) Picking the Perfect Moment

• Timing is everything in the world of culinary brilliance. While the general consensus is to introduce solids around the age of 6 months, remember that each baby is unique. Consult your pediatrician to ensure your tiny taste explorer is ready for this gastronomic leap.

3) Savoring Simple Purees

• Let's start with some baby-sized flavor bombs in the form of single-ingredient purees.

• Think mashed bananas, velvety sweet potatoes, and pureed apples that make their taste buds tango.

• These smooth and heavenly textures will introduce your little one to the delights of eating and give their swallowing skills a standing ovation. Ready, set, blend!

4) Gradual Graduation

• As your mini gourmet aficionado becomes accustomed to purees, it's time to level up their dining game with mashed or finely chopped foods that offer more tantalizing textures.

• Think of it as culinary boot camp, honing their chewing abilities and expanding their taste horizons.

• Get ready to witness the wonders of soft finger foods like cooked veggies, juicy ripe fruits, and delectably cooked pasta. Let them explore and unleash their inner foodie!

5) Mindful Introduction

• Introduce new foods one at a time, waiting a few days before bringing in the next taste sensation.

• This will allow you to monitor for allergies or sensitivities.

• Keep a record of foods eaten and any reactions.

6) Mealtime Rituals

• Transform mealtimes into a culinary carnival your little one won't want to miss. Make it a family affair, complete with laughter and joy.

• Encourage their curiosity by providing age-appropriate utensils and letting them master the art of self-feeding.

• Banish distractions like screens or toys, giving your mini chef the chance to savor every bite and build healthy eating habits.

7) Offer a Balanced Diet

• Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

• Embrace the kaleidoscope of tastes, flavors, and textures.

• Be sure to watch out for excess salt and sugar in foods.

• Breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition until one year old.

Transitioning to solids is an exciting and important phase in your baby's development. By observing signs of readiness, starting with simple purees, gradually introducing more textures, and offering a balanced diet, you can ensure a smooth transition to solid foods. Remember to consult your pediatrician, make mealtimes enjoyable, and embrace this milestone with enthusiasm. Enjoy the journey as you introduce your baby to a whole new world of tastes and nourishment!

Let Your Child Do the Heavy Lifting: Understanding Proprioception

What is Proprioception?

Unlike our senses of taste and smell, which are fairly easy to understand, proprioception is one of our senses that is a bit more nebulous. Proprioception is the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and orientation in space. Proprioceptive input refers to the sensory information that is received by the body through muscle and joint movements, pressure, and resistance. This sensory input is critical for our daily movements and plays a significant role in relaxation.

When we engage in activities that involve proprioceptive input, such as heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or deep pressure, our muscles and joints send signals to our brain that promote relaxation. This is because proprioceptive input activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's rest and digest response.

This is why incorporating activities that provide proprioceptive input before meal times can such a useful tool! It allows them to get their bodies in a “just right” arousal state where they are calm and alert when they come to the table.

10 Activity Ideas to Provide Proprioceptive Input Before Meals

1. Climbing: Climbing is a great proprioceptive activity that can help children develop strength, balance, and coordination. You can set up a climbing wall in your backyard or take your child to a local park that has a climbing structure.

2. Jumping: Jumping is another fun and effective proprioceptive activity. You can set up a mini trampoline or a jump rope in your backyard or play a game of hopscotch with your child.

3. Pushing and pulling: Pushing and pulling activities can help children develop their upper body strength and improve their proprioceptive skills. You can set up an obstacle course with tunnels, tires, and other objects that your child can push or pull.

4. Heavy lifting: Heavy lifting activities, such as carrying a backpack filled with books or carrying a basket filled with laundry, can help children develop their proprioceptive skills and build their strength.

5. Tug of war: Tug of war is a fun game that can help children develop their proprioceptive skills while building their strength and teamwork skills. You can play this game with your child and their friends.

6. Wall push-ups: Wall push-ups are a great way to help children develop their proprioceptive skills and build their upper body strength. You can ask your child to stand facing a wall and push their body away from the wall using their arms.

7. Yoga: Yoga is an excellent proprioceptive activity that can help children develop their balance, coordination, and flexibility. You can join a yoga class with your child or watch online videos to practice yoga at home.

8. Dancing: Dancing is a fun way to help children develop their proprioceptive skills while improving their balance, coordination, and rhythm. You can play some music and dance with your child at home.

9. Playing with playdough: Playing with playdough can help children develop their fine motor skills and proprioceptive skills. You can ask your child to knead the playdough, roll it into balls, and flatten it with their hands.

10. Sensory bins: Sensory bins are great proprioceptive activities that can help children develop their tactile and proprioceptive skills. You can set up a bin filled with rice, beans, or sand and ask your child to search for hidden objects or make patterns with their hands.

Getting Your Seat At The Table-Why The Highchair You Choose Matters.

If you’re a new parent, choosing the right highchair for your child can be a daunting task. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this blog post, we will explore just how vital seating is for successful meals and look at some of the different highchair features and benefits.

Why does seating and positioning matter?

When children are not positioned properly at their trunk head and neck they may have difficulty swallowing and be more likely to choke. When kids have a stable base of support in their big muscles (core, hips, trunk), they are better able to control their small muscles (fingers, hands, and mouth). It is important to position them in a chair that provides them with enough support so that they can focus on the most important task at the table- Eating!

Tiny Tastebuds Mealtime Seating Tips

1. Get your kids up at the dinner table with you.

After 14-16 months of age, ditch the highchair tray and give your child a seat at the family table! The proximity will help to incorporate them into the routine and enjoy the social benefits of eating together. They can watch how you and other family members model mealtime behaviors such as how you hold your fork, chew your food, and lift your cup.

2. Be sure your child has a solid surface for their feet.

Dangling legs and feet will leave your child feeling unbalanced and unstable. If the highchair your child is seated in does not have a footrest or a footplate, DIY it! You can use stacked up textbooks, a stool, or even another smaller chair under their feet

3. Follow the 90-90-90 rule of thumb.

This simple and easy rule is the basis for providing the best possible base of support for your child. Always look for 90-degree angles at your child’s elbows, hips, knees, and feet. Use supports such as cushions, yoga blocks, or books to achieve this whether it be under their sit bones or behind their backs.

4. Eliminate slipping and sliding.

Use Dycem mats under your child’s bottom or under their placements to prevent either themselves or their food from sliding around.

Tiny Tastebuds Approved

• Infant Feeding Chairs: Birth-14 months

  At this age, it is important to ensure proper support at the head. Start babies in a slightly reclined back position to fully support their head and neck. Once they are able to pull forward and begin reaching for a spoon, you can transition them to the 90-90-90 position as mentioned above.

  • Chicco Polly Progress Highchair

  • Inglesina My Time Highchair

  • Maxi Cosi Minla High Chair

• Adjustable Wooden Chairs and Hook-on Chairs: After 14-16 months of age

  Wooden chairs are adjustable, provide incredible support, and are easy to clean. They are an investment but can support your child as they grow for years to come.

  • Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair

  • Keekarooo Height Right Highchair

  Hook-on chairs work well for families who only have a tall kitchen table or island. It is important to provide a footrest with these chairs, and always place an adult chair underneath it for support. Look for a hook-on chair with a solid bottom, rather than a sling or cloth bottom.

  • Chicco Caddy Hook-on Chair

  • Phil and Ted Lobster Chair

Why Is My Child a Picky Eater?

Eating is a difficult and complex task. From start to finish, there are SO many different skills that we are asking our child to do! Think about it: We need to sit up straight in our chairs, modulate all of the sensory information coming in (tastes, smells, textures), engage in social conversations, coordinate our hands and fingers to use forks and spoons effectively, get the food to our mouths, understand how much to put in our mouth at a time, chew it down until it’s a manageable bolus, swallow, and do it all over again! It’s no wonder that our children need step-by-step guidance. As a parent, you can be your child’s best teacher. It is important to know and understand how certain areas may be impacting your child’s ability to successfully eat during snacks and meals.

Postural control

Making sure your child is seated in an appropriate chair that fits their needs and body is the first step to setting them up for a successful meal. Kids who don’t feel stable and secure in their posture use all of their energy to sit up straight, which means less mental and physical energy for eating their dinner!

Delayed oral motor skills

Do you notice that your child struggles specifically with meat, raw fruits, and vegetables with peels? This may be because they have delayed oral motor and chewing skills which are required for these types of food. Your child may not have the skills necessary for specific foods and therefore avoids them because they are difficult.

Sensory processing difficulties

We have 8 senses that help us to take in and respond to the world around us; Taste, smell, vision, hearing, touch, interoception, vestibular, and proprioceptive. All of these senses tell our bodies what is happening in our environment and how we should adaptively react to it. Because of the nature of food, our sensory systems may over- or under-react to sensory qualities such as the sticky texture of a mushed banana, the loud crunch of a cheerio in our mouth, or the strong smell of garlic.

Stress response

Increased levels of adrenaline can decrease a child’s appetite before they even sit down at the dinner table. If your child is in fight or flight mode, the body shuts down the ability to produce hunger hormones and sends blood flow to the arms, legs, and brain.

Environment cues

Does your child only eat off his favorite Paw Patrol plate? Or eat a full balanced meal at home, but at Grandma’s house won’t touch a bite? This may be due to the conditioning complex built around food. In a world of increasingly scary-good food marketing, our children are conditioned to notice specific brand-name fonts on a bag of chips, mascots like Tony the Tiger, and even specific logos.

Grazing

Grazing AKA snacking every 2-2.5 hours can cause feeding issues because it allows children to eat just enough to take the edge off their hunger. On average, children who graze may take in up to 50% fewer calories in a day, than if they are on a schedule.

It is important to remember that feeding difficulties are just the tip of the iceberg. Children do not refuse to eat because it is “behavioral”. There are often underlying skill deficits at play that need to be addressed to help your child feel successful with eating.