Feeding Tips: How to Avoid the Food Fight

We hear from a lot of parents who are dealing with feeding difficulties. Often, feeding difficulties can be a symptom or side effect of food allergy related conditions such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis and other GI conditions. This can occur because eating is a learned developmental skill, and one of the few activites of daily life that a child can completely control. If a child experiences discomfort associated with food they can learn to avoid this discomfort by developing food selectivity, difficult mealtime behaviors, or food aversions. Even after your child’s condition has been treated and they are no longer in pain, they still may have lingering issues at mealtimes due to learned associations with food and discomfort. For others, they may simply not like the taste of their new formula and need some help adjusting to it.

Below are some tips that we hope can help make mealtime a little less stressful for both you and your child. As always, be sure to consult with your doctor and/or feeding therapist before trying anything new.

  • Transition to new formula gradually. If your child is refusing Neocate when you first switch, try mixing a small amount of it with a large amount of another beverage that they will drink. Then you can increase the concentration of Neocate gradually, until your child will accept a bottle of 100% Neocate.
  • Plan predictable and routine mealtimes. Sometimes when a child is on a diet consisting mainly of formula, they will “graze” throughout the day, drinking a small amount of formula here and there. Maintaining a predictable mealtime schedule, seated in a highchair or at the table can help increase their appetite, leading to an increased intake of formula. Predictability can also help decrease anxiety about eating, and promote optimal learning about the routines, customs and social richness of mealtimes.
  • Try “repackaging” their formula. If your child doesn’t like to drink their formula from an open cup, try introducing it in a sippy cup or with a straw cup with a lid (or even better, a flavor straw!) to help decrease the smell and intensity of the flavor.
  • Offer choices, when possible. For example, if your child brings his or her formula to school for lunch, let them choose which flavor they want each day. This will allow them to feel more in control of their mealtimes.

Have any of you dealt with a feeding difficulty? What tips have you found helpful?

Angela Haas MA, CCC-SLP

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Specialist

Published: 07/23/2010
Tags
Comments
Write a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



 

Join Nutricia Footsteps

Whether you are new to food allergies, need help with a lifestyle change, or are looking for new ideas, we are here for you. Nutricia Footsteps is a free service that sends you personalized, age-appropriate information.

Join Nutricia Footsteps

Nutrition
What is in Neocate®? Neocate Ingredients Explained 

When offering your loved one a new food, or consuming it yourself, it’s only natural to want to understand what it is made of. This post is designed to give deeper insight into Neocate ingredients and why they are included….

Continue Reading
 
Related Content
X

The content you are trying to access is intended for healthcare professionals only.

Are you a healthcare professional?

 
X

SELECT A REGION

X

SELECT A REGION