Picky eating
Are you worried that your child isn’t eating well? Picky eating is a normal part of childhood development and can start as young as 18 months old. While dealing with picky eaters can be stressful, there are some simple techniques to help children grow out of this phase.
Problem feeding
Problem feeding is not a “typical” part of childhood and is much more complex than picky eating. About 5% of children are problem feeders. They tend to have a poor diet and can be at risk for nutrient deficiencies.
How we can help
Eating and swallowing requires a whole group of systems working well together. At Kiddo active, our multidisciplinary team, consisting of both an occupational therapist (OT) and registered dietician (RD) can help determine factors that may be contributing to your child’s feeding issues.
Our feeding program is based on the sequential oral sensory (SOS) approach. SOS is a highly effective family centered approach to resolving feeding issues. We offer individual and group nutrition feeding therapy sessions at both our centre and in the comfort of your home.
Get in touch
If you need some quick tips to help improve your picky eater’s diet or a more comprehensive long term program to help develop optimal nutrition for your problem feeder, we can help. Our team will work to provide solutions for your child to develop a well-balanced diet for optimal growth and development.
Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders
Characteristics of picky eaters
Characteristics of problem feeders
Are you worried that your child isn’t eating well? Picky eating is a normal part of childhood development and can start as young as 18 months old. While dealing with picky eaters can be stressful, there are some simple techniques to help children grow out of this phase.
Problem feeding
Problem feeding is not a “typical” part of childhood and is much more complex than picky eating. About 5% of children are problem feeders. They tend to have a poor diet and can be at risk for nutrient deficiencies.
How we can help
Eating and swallowing requires a whole group of systems working well together. At Kiddo active, our multidisciplinary team, consisting of both an occupational therapist (OT) and registered dietician (RD) can help determine factors that may be contributing to your child’s feeding issues.
Our feeding program is based on the sequential oral sensory (SOS) approach. SOS is a highly effective family centered approach to resolving feeding issues. We offer individual and group nutrition feeding therapy sessions at both our centre and in the comfort of your home.
Get in touch
If you need some quick tips to help improve your picky eater’s diet or a more comprehensive long term program to help develop optimal nutrition for your problem feeder, we can help. Our team will work to provide solutions for your child to develop a well-balanced diet for optimal growth and development.
Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders
Characteristics of picky eaters
- Eats fewer than 30 foods
- Eats foods from all four food groups
- Can eat almost every type of food texture
- Will ask for same favorite food every day- eventually burning out and stop eating that food but start eating it again after a short break
- Can tolerate new foods and will accept new foods after being exposed to it at least 10-18 times.
Characteristics of problem feeders
- Eats fewer than 20 foods
- Refuses to eat foods from certain food groups
- Refuses to eat foods from entire categories of texture
- Won’t tolerate new foods on their plate and is not willing to touch or taste the food
- Cries or throws a tantrum when a new food is offered with a need for sameness and rituals around food and mealtime.