Feeding avoidance is when an uncomfortable situation occurs related to food. The situation can be either painful, frightening, or scary since there was too much pressure, and the control was taken away from the child. This experience with the food may lead the child to remember the specific situation as something negative. The child typically becomes extremely selective and picky with what they want to eat. The negative experiences then become a memory for the next mealtime, leading the child to have a feeding aversion. A feeding aversion is where the child associates feeding as negative and will avoid it altogether. Food avoidance leads to feeding aversion!
Causes of Feeding Aversion:
The digestive function is not working properly
Medication tastes gross or creates abdominal pain
Cardiorespiratory issues
Tube feedings
Lack of oral experiences
Inappropriate responses to child's cues
Oral Hypersensitivity
Tip for Children with Feeding Aversions:
Provide opportunities for non-related food sucking
Offer a soother (e.g., chewy toys)
Encourage mouthing of fingers and toys
Encourage participation with mealtime routines even if the child does not eat the food
Provide proper positioning with the right support
Limit distractions during mealtimes
Have a regular feeding schedule (3 meals a day with a snack in-between)
Make gradual changes
Food chain
Give the child control
Give the child an opportunity to spit
Provide repeated exposures to food even if the child shows disinterest
References
Cammarata, C. M. (Ed.). (2023, April). Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) (for
parents) - nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/arfid.html
Marcus, S., & Breton, S. (Eds.). (2022). Infant and child feeding and swallowing: Occupational
therapy assessment and intervention (2nd ed.) AOTA Press.
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