Feeding Difficulties
Feeding difficulties is a broad term that encompasses various problematic eating behaviours. This can include food fussiness (picky eating), food refusal, selective eating (restricted variety of foods, sometimes referred to as ARFID), and issues with appetite—whether too little or too much. Marked by a limited range of accepted foods and a reluctance to try new flavours and textures. It’s common for children to experience one or more of these behaviours as part of their normal development.
However, if these behaviours become overwhelming or prolonged, they can lead to stressful mealtimes, the need for short-order cooking, growth concerns, or nutrient deficiencies. When feeding difficulties dominate family life, collaborating with a dietitian can help restore positive mealtime experiences. Dietitians can assess your child’s nutritional needs, identify any potential deficiencies, and provide tailored strategies to encourage balanced eating habits. We can also support developing meals that incorporate your child’s preferences while introducing new foods in a fun and engaging way. Feeding difficulties can also refer to individuals with oral motor challenges that affect their ability to consume and swallow foods and liquids safely. In such cases, a speech pathologist and/or occupational therapist typically leads the intervention. If these feeding challenges impact a child’s growth and nutrition, a paediatric dietitian may also be involved to provide additional support.
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