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When does picky eating become a problem?

Posted at 1:14 PM, Oct 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-03 15:14:37-04

Occupational Therapist Tera Robinson tells us when picky eating becomes a problem and how parents can remedy the situation. For more great information from Tera, go here.

When Does Picky Eating Become a Problem?
 Ongoing coughing, choking or gagging while eating or drinking
 Throwing up frequently
 Consistent crying, arching or signs of pain or discomfort while eating
 Difficulty breathing while eating
 Falling off his/her growth curve
 Hasn’t started eating baby food purees by 10 months old
 Not accepting table foods by 12 months old
 Not using a cup by 16 months old
 Hasn’t transitioned to table foods from baby food purees by 16 months old
 When older than 12 months old, eats 20 or less total different foods
 “Burns out” on favorite foods and doesn’t pick up new ones to replace the dropped foods
 Refuses entire food groups or food textures
 Can’t tolerate new food on his/her plate
 Doesn’t tolerate small changes to his/her favorite foods
 Almost always refuses to eat the same food the family is eating
 Mealtimes are battles: stressful and miserable for everyone, including caregiver and child

How to remedy the problem:

  • Try to make meal time stress-free
  • Introduce new foods in creative and very small ways
  • If you cannot solve the problem, seek professional help