Root Causes of Feeding Difficulties and the Importance of Collaborative Care
By Argie Karakalpakidis CCC-SLP, CLC
Are you struggling to manage your child’s feeding difficulties? You are not alone– nearly 50% of parents report their children have feeding-related issues (3-6). Some feeding challenges are a product of the environment and can be improved with a few changes in strategy or routine, while others can be more complex and require the support and intervention of healthcare experts.
In this blog, we will:
Clarify the difference between feeding difficulties and feeding disorders
Unpack the two main causes of feeding disorders
Explain why collaborating with multiple healthcare providers is key for effective intervention and progress for your child
Whether your child’s feeding difficulties stem from external circumstances, internal factors, or a combination of both, Kids Feeding Wellness has resources and strategies to help you tackle the journey with confidence.
Schedule a consultation today!
Feeding Difficulties vs Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Feeding difficulty is a broad term covering all issues related to feeding in children, regardless of their cause, severity, or effects. It includes problems like meals taking too long, refusing food, stressful mealtimes, difficulty feeding independently, eating at night, using distractions to eat, prolonged breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and not moving on to more advanced textures.
A pediatric feeding disorder is identified when a child consistently struggles with eating which impacts their ability to eat according to their developmental age. This diagnosis is made if feeding challenges affect the child's:
Medical well-being, resulting in difficulties like breathing problems or aspiration, where food or liquids enter the lungs.
Nutritional health, making it hard for the child to get enough nutrients from their diet, often necessitating oral or tube supplementation.
Feeding skills or oral motor development, requiring modifications to food or need for specialized equipment or strategies for eating.
Emotional and social (psychosocial) wellness, causing food or mealtime avoidance and causing stress and strain on family relationships.
To learn more about Pediatric Feeding Disorders visit: https://www.feedingmatters.org/
Two Forms of Feeding Disorders
Feeding disorders are commonly classified into two categories: "organic" and "non-organic," based on the underlying causes contributing to the disorder.
Below are descriptions and examples of each type of disorder:
Identifying the underlying causes of feeding disorders is crucial, as they can stem from organic, non-organic, or a combination of both factors. These disorders often present with overlapping symptoms, making accurate diagnosis and effective management challenging without pinpointing the root causes.
Importance of Collaboration
Due to the complexity of feeding disorders, it is critical to collaborate with healthcare providers who each provide a piece of the puzzle in identifying and managing the root cause of your child’s feeding difficulties. This collaborative effort ensures that all aspects of your child's feeding issues are thoroughly examined and addressed, leading to more effective intervention strategies and improved outcomes.
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If your child is exhibiting signs or symptoms of feeding difficulties or an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD), our guide 'Partnering for Progress' is an essential resource. Gain insights into the key healthcare providers who actively identify root causes and effectively communicate your concerns with your child’s doctor to address symptoms promptly.
References
Delaney AL, Arvedson JC. Development of swallowing and feeding: prenatal through first year of life. Dev Disabil Res Rev (2008) 14(2):105–17. doi:10.1002/ ddrr.16
Davies WH, Satter E, Berlin KS, Rudolph CD. Reconceptualizing feeding and feeding disorders in interpersonal context: the case for relational disorder. J Fam Psychol (2006) 20(3):409–17. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.20.3.409
Carruth BR, Ziegler PJ, Gordon A, Barr SI. Prevalence of picky eaters among infants and toddlers and their caregivers’ decisions about offering a new food. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004; 104(1 suppl 1):s57–s64
Jacobi C, Agras WS, Bryson S, Hammer LD. Behavioral validation, precursors, and concomitants of picky eating in childhood. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003;42(1):76–84
Wright CM, Parkinson KN, Shipton D, Drewett RF. How do toddler eating problems relate to their eating behavior, food preferences, and growth? Pediatrics. 2007;120(4). Available at: www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/120/ 4/e1069
Saarilehto S, Lapinleimu H, Keskinen S, Helenius H, Talvia S, Simell O. Growth, energy intake, and meal pattern in five-year-old children considered as poor eaters. J Pediatr. 2004;144(3):363–367
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Delaney AL, Arvedson JC. Development of swallowing and feeding: prenatal through first year of life. Dev Disabil Res Rev (2008) 14(2):105–17. doi:10.1002/ ddrr.16
Davies WH, Satter E, Berlin KS, Rudolph CD. Reconceptualizing feeding and feeding disorders in interpersonal context: the case for relational disorder. J Fam Psychol (2006) 20(3):409–17. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.20.3.409
Carruth BR, Ziegler PJ, Gordon A, Barr SI. Prevalence of picky eaters among infants and toddlers and their caregivers’ decisions about offering a new food. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004; 104(1 suppl 1):s57–s64
Jacobi C, Agras WS, Bryson S, Hammer LD. Behavioral validation, precursors, and concomitants of picky eating in childhood. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2003;42(1):76–84
Wright CM, Parkinson KN, Shipton D, Drewett RF. How do toddler eating problems relate to their eating behavior, food preferences, and growth? Pediatrics. 2007;120(4). Available at: www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/120/ 4/e1069
Saarilehto S, Lapinleimu H, Keskinen S, Helenius H, Talvia S, Simell O. Growth, energy intake, and meal pattern in five-year-old children considered as poor eaters. J Pediatr. 2004;144(3):363–367
Investment: $250
90 Minutes • Virtual
Understand Why Feeding Feels Hard. Get a Clear Path Forward.
This comprehensive consultation is designed to help you better understand why your child is struggling with feeding and provide you with practical, individualized recommendations you can begin implementing right away.
Rather than focusing only on what or how much your child eats, we'll look at the whole picture including your child's feeding skills, development, medical history, sensory preferences, and mealtime environment in order to create a plan that's personalized to your family.
During Your Consultation, We'll Explore:
✓ Your child's feeding history and current concerns
✓ Medical and developmental factors that may be impacting feeding
✓ Feeding skills, oral-motor abilities, and sensory processing (when appropriate)
✓ Food preferences, eating patterns, and mealtime behaviors
✓ Family routines and mealtime dynamics
✓ Your goals, priorities, and questions
You'll Leave With:
Personalized Feeding Profile
A comprehensive understanding of your child's feeding strengths, challenges, and the factors contributing to mealtime difficulties.
Personalized Feeding Plan
Practical, individualized strategies designed to fit naturally into your family's daily routines.
Written Consultation Report
A clear summary of key findings, recommendations, and your personalized feeding plan to reference after the consultation.
Clear Next Steps
Confidence in knowing what to focus on next and whether additional assessment or ongoing support would be beneficial.
After Your Consultation
Every child is unique, so recommendations are personalized based on your child's individual needs, goals, and response to intervention.
Some families leave with the confidence and strategies they need to successfully implement their personalized feeding plan at home. Others may benefit from a Guided Feeding Session, a Comprehensive Feeding Assessment Program, or Feeding Support Calls to provide additional guidance and support.
Our goal is never to recommend more services than you need—only the level of support that will best help your child and family achieve lasting success.