Pediatric Feeding Disorder
Beyond Picky Eating
Many families report that their child is a picky eater when they actually have a Feeding Disorder. Below is a discussion to help you understand Feeding Disorders.
Risk Factors
Reflux and other GI disorders
Tongue tie or poor suck patterns as an infant
Negative feeding experiences
Environmental Influences
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Prematurity
Infant feeding difficulties
Could It Just Be Picky Eating?
Picky eating is a typical developmental stage that occurs at the same time that a toddler is exhibiting independence. Any picky eating past toddler years is not part of typical development.
Although similar in some ways, Feeding Disorders are not part of typical development. Children “don’t just grow out of it”. Feeding Disorders can cause many problems for children and their families.
Complications
Poor growth and nutrition
Social and emotional anxiety
Delays in development
Stress on entire family
Common Characteristics
Gags, coughs, chokes
Difficulty transitioning
Extreme food selectivity
Selective by brand or look of food
Refuses unfamiliar foods
Fear/anxiety of food or eating
Rigid eating habits
Limited variety (<20 foods)
Strong negative reaction to new foods
Oral sensory and motor issues
Does not eat family diet
Disruptive mealtime behaviors
Food jags
That sounds like my child, what should I do?
If your child is exhibiting any of the characteristics of a Feeding Disorder and you are concerned about your child’s feeding behaviors, get help now. The “just make him eat” or “he will eat when he gets hungry” strategies do not work with children with Feeding Disorders and just may make things worse.
Will My Child Just Grow Out of It?
Unfortunately kids do not just grow out of Feeding Disorders. In fact without help, they can get worse and can increase a child’s risk of teenage eating disorder. Early intervention can reduce the risk of medical complications, reduce the potential of behavioral disorders and reduce the risk of social and emotional issues and help families return to happy mealtimes.
Until I get feeding therapy, what can I do at home?
Have family meals
Only feed child when seated. Do not allow traveling while eating.
Continue to offer unstressed presentations of non-favored foods
Do not bribe, sneak or force any food
Ignore or time-out undesired behaviors