How to prevent feeding problems? | Tiara Rahadian Putri, M.S., BCBA from Yayasan Sahabat Anak Istimewa Indonesia (YASAINDO)| Kinderkloud

How to prevent feeding problems?

Data suggests that the prevalence of typically developing children who exhibits feeding problems are up to 50% (Phalen, 2013). Children around the age of two usually started showing patterns to avoid or being reluctant to eat new foods. This is called neophobia. Research suggest that it is a common, normal part of development. Neophobia is usually temporary as caregivers being consistent offering new foods (Dovey, Staples, Gibson, & Halford, 2008). For some children, however, this condition may persist and evolve into feeding disorder.

 

What is a feeding disorder?

It is when a child does not consume sufficient food intake in quantity or variety, to maintain nutritional status. This condition may result in malnutrition, eight loss, frequent illness, dehydration, and failure to thrive. In addition, they may develop behavioral and learning problems.

 

What are some common problems in feeding disorder look like?

  • Total food refusal
  • Food selectivity according to food type in a food group
  • Food selectivity according to texture
  • Liquid dependence
  • Bottle dependence
  • Expulsion (spitting out foods)
  • Packing (pocketing food)
  • Inappropriate mealtime behaviors (crying, throwing foods, hitting the spoon or feeder)

 

How does a typical feeding compare to disordered feeding?

Some examples of typical feeding compared to disordered feeding:

Typical

Disordered

  • Transitions to mashed table foods by the age of 12 months
  • Picky eating emerges at the age of 18 months
  • Variety will reemerge with exposure
  • Variety of foods consumed provide sufficient nutrition
  • Will eat non-preferred food when they are hungry
  • Eating occur in different conditions
  • Child maintain growth along their curve
  • Difficulty transitioning to mashed table food
  • Reaction to non-preferred food is excessive
  • Variety of foods remains restricted
  • Variety of foods consumed does not provide adequate nutrition
  • Will not eat non-preferred food even when they are hungry
  • Eating is disrupted in different conditions
  • Child’s growth decelerates, which it should not

                                                                                                                      (Vaz & Piazza, 2011)

 

The role of multiple factors

It is important to understand that feeding disorder may be affected by different factors, including medical, anatomical, developmental, and/or behavioral condition (Morris, Knight, Bruni, Sayers, & Drayton, 2017). Thus, multidisciplinary intervention is important.

 

Impact on family life

Eating is part of social and cultural standards. Many parts of our social and cultural practices involve around eating, such as big holiday celebration, family gathering, family night out, etc. Families may experience stress due to concerns revolving around their child’s feeding issues.

 

How to prevent persistent feeding problems

  1. Establish meal and snack schedule. This will promote and teach healthy appetite.
  2. Repeatedly offer new foods. It takes some time for children to develop food preference.
  3. Consistently offer a variety of foods with age-appropriate portions. The idea is to get them to sample the foods.
  4. Serve meals in settings that provides clear structure or cues that “this is mealtime”. If parents want the child to eventually eats at certain setting, teach the child to be eating in that area.
  5. Parents model eating variety of foods and appropriate behaviors. Children observe adults and how they behave. By modeling these behaviors, it may increase the possibility that they may eventually eat what adults eat and behave the way adults behave.
  6. Ignore minor, age-appropriate messiness. Learning to eat can be messy as children’s motoric skills are still developing. Parent does not have to be constantly wiping the child’s face or eating area.
  7. Limit meal or snack time. Keeping a child at an area longer than 30 minutes usually does not result in increased food intake.
  8. Provide positive social interaction, especially for specific eating behavior you want to see more often.
  9. Encourage self-feeding when possible. It may take time at the beginning, but it may save parents time in the long run during mealtime. Plus, the child gets to practice their motor movement and promote more independence. 

 

Note that this content is general information and is not specific professional advice. Consult with appropriate service provider if you have concerns about your child.

 

Tiara Putri, M.S., BCBA.

BehaviorPALS

 

 

References:

Dovey, T. M., Staples, P. A., Gibson, E. L., & Halford, J. C. (2008). Food neophobia and ‘picky/fussy’ eating in children: a review. Appetite50(2-3), 181-193.

Phalen, J. A. (2013). Managing Feeding Problems and Feeding Disorders. Pediatrics in Review, 34(12), 549–557. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.34-12-549

Vaz, P. C., & Piazza, C. C. (2011). Behavioural approaches to the management of paediatric feeding disorders. In A. Southall & C. Martin (Eds.), Feeding problems in children: A practical guide (2nd ed., pp. 53-73). Oxford: Radcliffe.

feeding, feeding problem, food refusal, food texture, food selectivity, picky eaters

Pre-school 2 Years - 4 Years / 2 Tahun - 4 Tahun (Balita) / General Health / Kesehatan Umum / Health / Kesehatan / How to prevent feeding problems?

Comments

Add Comment
photo of birthday tale book cover kinderkloud
Birthday Tale
Kinderkloud
Personalized book symbolizing that each child is special, wished for, longed for and play for and all the nature celebrate them together. Children will be introduced to various animals in their natural habitats along the journey.
photo of dream high book cover kinderkloud
Dream High
Kinderkloud
Personalized book to help Children imagine the professions in the future through their lens and encourage the little dreamers to explore and pursue their passion because the future is in their hands.
photo of prayer warrior book cover kinderkloud
Prayer Warrior
Kinderkloud
Personalized book to explain and the concept and importance of prayers to children and continuously remind our future generations to be mindful and thankful even for the smallest things in life. A guide book for our little prayer warriors to pray every day, everywhere and in every way.
photo of 5 colorful balloons book cover kinderkloud
5 Colorful Balloons
Blubridge Center
Balonku ada 5.. Rupa Rupa Warnanya..
Taking this classic to another level by combining this seemingly simple songs with Plutchick's Wheel of Emotions to introduce children to understand and express their feelings positively with introduction to Manners and Values in every step of the way for everyday life.
photo of starry starry paradise book cover kinderkloud
Starry Starry Paradise
Kinderkloud x Marianne Rumantir
Are you team mountain or team beach?
Personalized book to trigger the imagination and curiosity to discover the wonders of our wonderful Indonesia. The food, music, fashion, language, landscape and the culture. They all never fail to amaze us. What better legacy can we pass on for Indonesia than by instilling nationalism to the future generation of this part of the planet called heaven on earth.
photo of journey to the top book cover kinderkloud
Journey to the Top
Kinderkloud x Marianne Rumantir
Are you team mountain or team beach?
Personalized book to trigger the imagination and curiosity to discover the wonders of our wonderful Indonesia. The food, music, fashion, language, landscape and the culture. They all never fail to amaze us. What better legacy can we pass on for Indonesia than by instilling nationalism to the future generation of this part of the planet called heaven on earth.
photo of cerita di festival ceria book cover kinderkloud
Cerita di Festival Ceria
Kinderkloud | Parentalk | Good Enough Parents
Tidak ada dua yang sama persis, setiap anak memiliki kegemaran, keunikan, dan karakterisitik yang spesial termasuk Kakak dan Adik. Ikuti perjalanan mereka dalam sebuah kisah akhir pekan yang berkesan di Festival in the Jungle untuk mengeksplorasi dan mengenal diri mereka masing-masing lebih dalam lagi.
photo of preparing for a sibling book cover kinderkloud
Preparing for a Sibling
Regina F. Amal
A heartwarming story where child learns what it means to become a bigger sibling. Featuring both children, in one delightful story! Meanwhile, parents are assuring that each child will always be loved just the same. There will always be enough love for everyone.
photo of being a good sport book cover kinderkloud
Being a Good Sport
Sigi Wimala
In the heart of this whimsical THE GREAT FOREST GAME, your loved ones discovers the true essence of sportsmanship: the cherished value of friendship that outshines any victory. Experience the joy of camaraderies and empathy as your loved ones embraces the spirit of being a good sport, leaving a lasting impression on young hearts.
photo of birthday wishlist book cover kinderkloud
Birthday Wishlist
Kinderkloud x Mama Ani
This year, on a memorable birthday occasion, a caring Mom considered sharing the importance of delayed gratification. Join your loved one in crafting a birthday wishlist and discovering the Power of Patience to make each birthday genuinely extraordinary.
photo of christmas wishlist book cover kinderkloud
Christmas Wishlist
Kinderkloud x Mama Ani
This year, on a memorable christmas occasion, a caring Mom considered sharing the importance of delayed gratification. Join your loved one in crafting a christmas wishlist and discovering the Power of Patience to make each christmas genuinely extraordinary.
photo of bersuara untuk udara
 book cover kinderkloud
Bersuara untuk Udara
Bicara Udara
Langit biru adalah hak semua orang. Kita semua dapat berkontribusi menjadi pahlawan udara bersih melalui tindakan kecil sehari-hari. Buku ini mengajak anak-anak untuk memahami pentingnya menjaga kebersihan udara dan bagaimana mereka dapat berkontribusi.
photo of dream jar : introducing money skill for kids book cover kinderkloud
Dream Jar : Introducing Money Skill For Kids
Evander Shine Sidarta & Aline Wiratmaja
Child and his/her "dream jar" teaches basic money management, through separating savings into spend, share, and save categories. Your beeloved even learns about stocks, understanding they represent company ownership and can grow over time. Parents are encouraged to have open conversations about money, take children to banks, and prioritize quality time to build strong financial habits and values.