Feeding Problems

Do I need help from a Health Professional?

The PICNIC project is a great resource to help give you the tools to feel confident in feeding your baby and handling different situations as they arise. One of the most common concerns that come up is around picky eating. 

Picky eating is a very normal part of development for a baby (check out more on picky eating click here). However, there are some circumstances where it may be best to seek help from a health professional i.e. Dietitian, Doctor, Lactation Consultant, Speech Therapist or Occupational Therapist with a paediatric feeding specialisation.

The chart below will help you determine if you have a picky eater or a problem feeder. If it seems as though your baby falls more in the “problem feeder” category, we suggest talking to your health professional or getting in touch with the research team to get you more help.  

 

                                Is my child a problem feeder?

             PICKY EATERS

  PROBLEM FEEDERS

Decreased range or variety of foods; will eat at least 30 different foods.

Restricted range or variety of foods, usually less than 20 different foods.

Foods lost due to “burn out” because of a food jag are usually re-gained after a 2-week break.

**A food jag is the practice of eating one food repeatedly over time.

Foods lost due to food jags are NOT re-acquired after taking a break, often resulting in a decreasing number of foods in a child’s repertoire.

**A food jag is the practice of eating one food repeatedly over time.

Able to tolerate new foods on plate: usually can touch or taste a new food (even if reluctantly).

Cries and “falls apart” when presented with new foods responds with complete refusal.

Eats at least one food from most food texture (e.g. purees, chewy foods, soft foods etc.) or nutrition groups (e.g. protein, vegetables, fruits). 

Refuses entire categories of food texture (e.g. purees, chewy foods, soft foods etc.) or nutrition groups (e.g. protein, vegetables, fruits).

Frequently eats a different set of foods at a meal than the rest of the family (typically eats with the family).

Almost always eats different foods at a meal than the rest of the family (often doesn’t eat with the family).

Sometimes reported by parent as a “picky eater” at community health check-ups.

Persistently reported by parent as a “picky eater” across multiple community health check-ups.

Taken from SOS Approach to Feeding: (Dr Kay A Toomey, PhD and Mrs White)

The limited food intake associated with problem feeding may impact a baby’s overall growth and development.  If you’re concerned about how your child is growing, be sure to chat with your health professional, have your baby or child measured and discuss how they’re tracking on their growth chart. Click here for more information regarding growth charts.