Treatment of Feeding Disorders

Could Makkah Grand Mosque Be Powered Using Footsteps?

Treating feeding disorders doesn’t involve only one specialist but usually requires a team of doctors including a gastroenterologist, nutritionist, behavioral psychologist, occupational and/or speech therapist. It also required a social worker to support the family and provide resources for those children.

First, any underlying medical condition should be addressed. In case of tube-fed children, they might not be able to recognize that they are hungry.

Children can experience natural fear of new tastes and textures; this is called neophobia. So, it is necessary that they are offered food in a positive manner and without feeling threatened. This also helps them not to be picky eaters in the future.

In children with oro-motor difficulties, the treatment might also involve:

• Changing the child’s position when he or she eats, choosing the most comfortable position for your child
• Feed your child while his or her back is supported
• Increasing the strength of the muscles of the mouth (by blowing bubbles, balloons, etc.)
• Increasing tongue movement (put honey on your kids’ lips and ask them to lick it)
• Improving chewing (use different food consistencies)

Speech therapists could help children who are sensitive to having something in their mouths.

Try These Tips

1. Calm Down! Your child could be trying to get your attention when he or she refuses to eat
2. Turn off the TV!
3. Don’t offer food while your child is not hungry
4. Set a fixed routine for meals
5. Try to get your child involved in preparing or cooking his or her meals
6. Let your child share in buying the food ingredients
7. Add fun to mealtime
8. Decorate the plate
9. Respect your child’s appetite
10. Just dip it! If your child likes sauce, dip the food you want him or her to eat in the sauce
11. Be a good example for your child; eat healthy foods rather than unhealthy ones
12. Enjoy eating as a family
13. Offer healthy snacks between meals
14. Accept some food refusal without worry

This article is from our archive, originally published on an earlier date, and is now highlighted for its importance

References:

• Ernsperger, Lori, Tania Stegen-Hanson, and Temple Grandin. “Just Take a Bite: Easy, Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges!” Virginia: Future Horizons, 2004.
• “Feeding Disorder of Infancy and Early Childhood.” Medline Plus. 2 Aug. 2009.  Accessed 1 Mar. 2010.
• PennState Health Care reviewers. “Feeding Disorders.” PennState Children’s Hospital. Accessed 1 March. 2010.