Feeding therapy: A guide for parents and caregivers
Feeding therapy is a specialised form of therapy and support that helps children develop healthy eating habits and overcome challenges related to food. It’s often used for children with picky eating, feeding disorders, or sensory processing issues.
What is feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy involves a series of techniques designed to improve a child’s eating skills and attitudes towards food. In the UK it’s typically provided by speech and language therapists and dietitians. These professionals work closely with parents and caregivers to create a personalised treatment plan tailored to each child’s unique needs.
How does feeding therapy work?
Feeding therapy sessions are typically 30–60 minutes long and involve a variety of techniques, including:
- Family counselling: Providing support and guidance to parents and caregivers. This can help address any practical, behavioural and emotional issues that may be impacting the child’s eating.
- Play-based activities: Engaging children in fun activities while introducing new foods or textures. This can help alleviate anxiety and make mealtimes more enjoyable.
- Sensory exploration: Helping children become more comfortable with different tastes, smells, and textures. This can be achieved through activities like touching, smelling, and tasting various foods.
- Oral motor exercises: Improving chewing, swallowing, and lip coordination. These exercises can help children develop the necessary skills for eating independently.
- Behavioural techniques: Using positive reinforcement to encourage healthy eating habits. This can involve rewarding children for trying new foods or eating a variety of meals.
When is feeding therapy needed?
Feeding therapy may be beneficial for children who:
- Are picky eaters: Refuse to eat a variety of foods or have strong preferences.
- Have feeding disorders: Experience difficulties with eating, such as swallowing or chewing.
- Have sensory processing issues: Are sensitive to certain textures, smells, or tastes.
- Have medical conditions: Such as autism, cerebral palsy, or gastrointestinal disorders.
Feeding therapy strategies you can try at home
While professional feeding therapy can be invaluable, there are several techniques you can try at home to support your child’s eating development:
- Create a positive mealtime environment: Make mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free by avoiding distractions, limiting screen time, and creating a calm atmosphere.
- Create regular mealtimes and mealtime routines: Introduce set ways of announcing meal times, including songs or short nursery rhymes, try and involve your child with table setting, even just carrying their spoon to the table and putting the beaker next to the plate and ensure that meal time finishes after about 30 minutes, again with a set routine so that the child always knows: this is how we do it in our home, now I am finished and meal time is over.
- Introduce new foods gradually: Start with small amounts and gradually increase exposure. This can help reduce anxiety and make new foods less overwhelming.
- Model healthy eating: Show your child how to enjoy a variety of foods by eating a balanced diet yourself.
- Avoid forcing food: Allow your child to choose and explore foods at their own pace. Forcing them to eat can create negative associations with food.
Seek professional help
If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits, consult with a feeding therapist. We can provide guidance and support.
Remember, feeding therapy is a collaborative process between parents, caregivers, and professionals. With patience, understanding, and the right strategies, you can help your child develop healthy eating habits and enjoy meals.
Would you like to know more about specific techniques or have any other questions about feeding therapy?
Please feel free to contact me.
Sonja McGeachie
Early Intervention Speech and Language Therapist
Feeding and Dysphagia (Swallowing) Specialist The London Speech and Feeding Practice
The London Speech and Feeding Practice
Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.