Signs Your Child May Need Feeding Therapy
- Limited Food Choices:
- Your child eats a very restricted variety of foods and refuses to try new ones, especially when they are past the toddler stage.
- A good “rule of thumb” is if your child regularly eats/accepts less than 20 foods by the time they are between 2 and 3 years old, they might benefit from intervention.
- The child is very particular about what textures and types of foods they will accept. For example, they might just want crunchy foods, or they mostly eat starches/carbs with little to no proteins or fruits/vegetables.
- Oral Motor Issues:
- Your child seems to have problems with chewing or swallowing food, which might result in pocketing food, spitting foods out, or frequent coughing or gagging during meals.
- Drooling excessively during meals or showing difficulty coordinating their mouth and tongue, which may result in being very messy and losing a large amount of food from their mouth.
- Behavioral Challenges:
- Children with feeding difficulties may demonstrate anxiety or extreme fussiness around mealtimes.
- This can look like meltdowns when offered a new food, refusing to eat at the table with the family, or requiring distractions such as television or other screens to get them to stay at the table.
- Medical or Developmental Conditions:
- Diagnosed with conditions that affect feeding, such as gastroesophageal reflux, cleft palate, or developmental delays.
- History of respiratory issues, frequent coughing, or pneumonia related to feeding.
- Inadequate weight gain or growth, as well as signs of nutritional deficiencies or dehydration.
- Family/Social Impact:
- Stress and frustration during family mealtimes.
- Concerns about your child’s eating habits impacting social activities or family dynamics.
When to Seek Help
If you observe any of these signs, it may be beneficial to consult with a pediatric feeding therapist. Early intervention can make a significant difference, helping your child develop healthy eating habits and preventing more serious issues in the future.
Our team of experienced therapists will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your child’s specific challenges and create a customized treatment plan. Through a supportive and engaging approach, we aim to improve your child’s feeding skills and overall well-being.
Take the Next Step
Don’t wait to seek help if you have concerns about your child’s feeding. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how our pediatric feeding therapy services can support your child’s growth and development. Together, we can ensure your child enjoys a positive and nutritious mealtime experience.