Growing up meal times were so stressful for my family and me. Before the age of 6, the only foods I ate were hot dogs, McDonald’s cheeseburgers, raisin bread, butter, cheese, macaroni and cheese, bananas, chips, cookies and apples. The words, “just take a bite” stressed me out more than any other words uttered to me throughout the day. I was stubborn enough to wait out my parents and despite their promised rewards, nothing would convince me to take that bite. Unfortunately, my pediatrician told my mom I would grow out of it eventually. He was right, as I sit here 25 years later, I can confidently say I have (mostly) grown out of my extreme food aversions; however, I missed out on many years of proper nutrition from foods because of my fears. My parents did everything they could; they read articles and books but nothing seemed to help. As I progressed through graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology, I realized that I was an extremely picky eater (Problem Feeder) and could have been helped by a trained Speech-Language Pathologist, but no one directed my parents that way.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? Are you struggling to get your child to eat more than just a few items? Are all the items they eat one color or one texture?
Here are some red flags for Problem Feeding (Toomey, 2010):
• Poor weight gain or weight loss (falling off the growth chart)
• Problems with vomiting while trying to eat or drink
• A traumatic choking incident
• Unable to transition to baby foods purees by 10 months of age
• Unable to accept any table food solids by 12 months of age
• Avoids all foods in specific texture or food group
• Eats less than 20 foods by age two years
• Cries and/or arches away from most meals
• Mealtime is a constant battle
Lots of children go through a normal picky eating phase. They may not eat everything you want them to eat but they will still eat at least one food from most nutritional groups and foods with a variety of textures. They can tolerate seeing, touching, and smelling foods and might eventually take a bite. They might eat a food consistently and then stop for a month or two before returning to that food. They might gag when they try new textures (don’t be alarmed when your child tries something new and gags and grimaces). It is important to note that it takes our brains about 10 times of eating a new food to decide if we like it or not so don’t give up on feeding your child a certain food just because they gagged initially.
Tips if you and your child are struggling at mealtime:
• Change up where your child is eating; if you are already eating at the table move the child’s spot at the table. If you aren’t eating at a table, move to one.
• Turn off all electronics at the table (no TV in the background and everyone puts their phone on silent and away)
• Bring your child into the kitchen to “help” you. Have them stir or pour in ingredients (be careful to avoid letting your child touch or stir anything that might burn them or cut them). This is guaranteed to be messier but will also be more fun for both of you.
• Make the food the most exciting item on the table (use white plates, white napkins, and avoid colored placemats)
• In order to eat a food, your child has to be able to tolerate seeing it, smelling it, touching it, and finally tasting it, so take small steps with foods you know your child avoids.
• Avoid using words like yummy, instead describe how the food tastes and feels in your mouth. (i.e., This banana is chewy and sweet.)
• Instead of using the words “don’t like” change it to “learning.” (i.e., I don’t like eating beans but when I am working with my patients, I don’t tell them that, I tell them that “I am still learning about beans.”)
• LET YOUR CHILDREN PLAY WITH THEIR FOOD. I know, I know, your parents and your grandparents would be really upset to hear me suggest this BUT if your child is showing signs of extreme picky eating, let them play (i.e., make carrot swords, make a mashed potato cave and let your peas be bears hiding in the cave, etc.)
I highly recommend the book, Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating. It is written by one of my graduate school supervisors (she is amazing) and a pediatrician. It gives lots of good suggestions.
Also, I am a trained in the SOS approach to feeding which is where I learned most of this information. Here is their website https://www.spdstar.org/basic/feeding-therapy. They are located in Denver, Colorado and do amazing things for kids and families who struggle with problem feeding.
If you are concerned your child may be an extreme picky eater (problem feeder), I would love to speak with you. Call us at (432) 279-1133.
Sara Dunnam is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 7 years of experience working with children and adults. She is the co-owner of Midland Speech Center, LLC. Sara is passionate about Childhood Apraxia of Speech and feeding disorders but loves every aspect of speech-language pathology.
References:
Toomey, Kay. “SOS Approach to Feeding.” STAR Institute. When Children Won’t Eat: Picky Eaters Versus Problem Feeders, 1 Dec. 2016, Marina del Rey, California.
Toomey, Kay. Red Flags-Is This Child a Candidate for Referral?, STAR Institute, 2010.