Mealtimes can be one of the hardest parts of the day for some families, and if that's you, you're not alone. Here's a kinder way to understand your child's eating, and how gentle, pressure-free support can help.
Lots of children are cautious about food, and that's completely okay. Being a bit cautious with food is a normal, even protective, part of growing up. For some children, though, eating is genuinely harder, and mealtimes can feel stressful for the whole family. Understanding why is far more helpful than worrying about labels.
Eating asks a lot of a child all at once. They have to notice they're hungry, cope with smells, textures and tastes, sit still, and feel safe enough to try something new. When one of those pieces feels overwhelming, turning food down is often the body's way of saying "this is too much right now". It isn't naughtiness, and it isn't something you've caused.
Every child is different, but you might notice that they:
None of these mean anything is wrong with your child, they simply show us where a little extra understanding could help.
We're qualified in the SOS® (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding, an evidence-based program with 30 years of clinical experience. It gently helps children build the skills they need to eat well, working step by step through a child's comfort with different foods, without pressure or force. More about our feeding therapy →
The earlier feeding challenges are identified, the easier they are to support. If mealtimes are a daily battle or your child's food list is narrowing, it's worth a conversation, for infants, children and adolescents alike, with or without a developmental delay or disability.
Reach out and we'll help you understand what's going on and how we can support your family.
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