10 Tips for Problem Feeders

1. Family Meals

Think of meals as time to teach. Sit and eat with your child to help “teach” them how to engage with food.

2. Be a Good Role Model

Model curious and prosocial feeding behavior. Be excited about a variety of foods even if they are not your favorite.

3. Discuss Foods Being Served

Talk out loud about how foods look, feel, sound, textures and tastes. Are you a super taster? Model how you approach new or unfamiliar foods. Use science words!

4. Demonstrate chewing

Exaggerate motor movements. Chew with your mouth open so

they can see how you do it!

5. The food is the subject NOT your child

TEACH your “class” by talking about food and process not your child or their behavior.

6. Avoid stressful conversations or actions at mealtime

This is teaching time so focus on food and not behavior or other content that is upsetting or confusing to kids. We want meals to be fun. For kids with feeding challenges, we need to help them relearn that feeding can be pleasant. This is not the time to activate fight or flight. Fight or flight shuts down digestion and appetite and decreases learning. No punishing or criticizing!

7. Imitate Your Child’s Eating

Research shows kids eat new foods ONLY when their parents eat them too

8. Food Should be Fun

Make foods appear interesting or fun.

9. Include Children in all Aspects of Meals and Food Prep

Let them help with cooking, plating, and preparing meals.

10. Keep kids at the table- no “Time-Outs” during “class time”

If your kid can misbehave and get a time-out which allows them to leave the table,

they may learn this is preferable to staying and eating.