Children usually develop a feeding disorder as the result of a medical issue, an anatomical or structural abnormality or due to negative behaviors and experiences with eating. Problems can arise as soon as a child is born or may develop over time. A feeding assessment can help identify a feeding disorder and what conditions may be contributing to your child’s difficulty with feeding.
Feeding therapy focuses on teaching the child how to use their oral-musculature and structures to improve their acceptance of and ability to breakdown various textures and tastes. This will also help to expand a child’s overall diet and improve nutrition.
RED FLAGS FOR FEEDING DIFFICULTY:
- Has a history of prematurity
- History of difficulty with breastfeeding or latching onto nipple
- History of colic, reflux or food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances
- Frequent choking, gagging or coughing during meals
- Ongoing problems with vomiting
- Poor weight gain (percentile falling) or weight loss
- History of a traumatic choking incident
- History of eating and breathing coordination problems, with ongoing respiratory issues
- Reported as “fussy” or “picky” at 2 or more well child checks
- Has difficulty with transitioning to pureed baby foods by 10 months of age
- Difficulty accepting any table food solids by 12 months of age
- Inability to transition from breast/bottle to a cup by 16 months of age
- Has not weaned off baby foods by 16 months of age
- Aversion or avoidance of all foods in specific texture or nutrition group
- Food range of less than 20 foods, especially if foods are being dropped over time with no new foods replacing those lost
- An infant who cries and/or arches at most meals
- Family is fighting about food and feeding (ie. Meals are battles)
- Parent repeatedly reports that the child is difficult for everyone to feed
- Parental history of an eating disorder, with a child not meeting weight goals (parents not causing the problem, but may be more stressed and in need of extra supports
Click HERE to find out more between PICKY EATERS and PROBLEM FEEDERS