Picky Eating

Picky eating is common in infants, toddlers, kids and teens. For many children it’s a phase where they prefer a few familiar foods and slowly expand over time. For other families, picky eating becomes a source of stress — packed mealtimes, short ingredient lists, and worries about social meals or school lunches. Therapy and coaching aim to reduce mealtime tension, expand a child’s willingness to try foods, and give parents clear steps they can use every day.

Why this matters

Mealtimes are more than nutrition: they’re where kids practice new skills, learn social habits, and feel safe exploring new tastes and textures. When eating becomes a battleground, it can affect family routines, outings, and a child’s confidence at the table. Working with a pediatric feeding therapist or coach helps families create predictable, positive mealtimes and teaches skills that support trying new foods without pressure.

What to expect in therapy or coaching

First, we listen. We’ll talk about your child’s feeding history, what works (and doesn’t), family routines, and any worries you have. After that initial intake we usually observe a mealtime or review a short video so we can see real-life patterns.

Sessions blend parent coaching and child-centered practice. Typical steps include:

• Setting small, clear goals you and your child can try right away.
• Practicing non-pressured food exposure using small tastes, touch, smell, or play — whichever fits your child’s comfort level.
• Teaching supportive parent responses that reduce pressure and increase cooperation.
• Building predictable mealtime routines and simple rules that make eating easier for everyone.

Therapy sessions are practical and hands-on. You’ll leave with specific ideas to use between sessions, and we’ll adjust the plan based on what’s working. Progress looks different for every child — sometimes it’s trying one new bite, other times it’s sitting through the family meal without stress. We do not promise quick fixes, but we do focus on steady, realistic steps that make mealtimes easier.

Common strategies we use

• Create a relaxed, predictable mealtime environment with short meals and consistent timing.
• Offer small, low-pressure exposures to new foods (for example, having the food on the plate without insisting on a bite).
• Use sensory play with food (touching, smelling, sorting) to reduce aversion before tasting.
• Coach parents on language and behavior that support curiosity instead of pressure.
• Break tasks into tiny steps so a child can succeed and build confidence.

When to consider support

• Mealtimes cause regular stress or fights in your home.
• Your child will only eat a very short list of foods, and this hasn’t changed for months.
• Eating patterns interfere with school, family events, or social activities.
• You’ve tried strategies on your own but feel stuck or overwhelmed.

How we help

• Individualized feeding plan with small, achievable goals.
• Parent coaching that focuses on what to say and do at meals.
• Hands-on practice during sessions and practical home strategies to try between visits.
• Collaboration with your child’s pediatrician or a nutrition specialist when needed.

If picky eating is wearing on your family, we can help you take small, manageable steps toward calmer mealtimes and more variety. Contact us for an initial conversation about your child’s needs and the support we offer.