Research shows that 1 in 5 children will develop a feeding problem at some stage in the first few years of their life.
Here are some signs that your child may have a feeding problem:
- They struggle to sit at the table during mealtimes
- They tend to cry or become upset when there is a new food on their plate
- They refuse to eat foods that are hard to chew e.g. meat, raw fruit and veggies
- They are not able to eat meals with the rest of the family
- They stop eating foods that they have previously liked
- They have difficulty exploring foods when their eyes, hands, nose, and tongue
- It is hard for them to eat in a variety of settings
- Mealtimes are stressful for the family
- They eat less than 20 different foods
- They choke, gag or cough during meals
- They have specific brand preferences or need their food always prepared in the same way
- They have difficulty maintaining their weight when compared to other children their age
If your child is experiencing some of these signs it may be helpful for them to have a feeding assessment and receive some intervention to help. The good news is that speech pathologists and occupational therapists can help with diagnosing the specific issues that they are facing and giving you some strategies to address these.
If you have any questions or would like some more information about feeding our team is more than happy to help you out.
