Do you have kids that often gag on certain textures, avoid entire food groups, let their food go cold at the table, don’t like their food touching, or have meltdowns at mealtime? You’re not alone, and your child isn’t just being picky.

I’m Lisa Tarr, pediatric physical therapist and CEO and founder of First Steps Pediatric Therapy. Today, I want to talk to you about how to tell if your child’s sensory sensitivity is making it hard for them to eat. Sensory feeding challenges are actually pretty common. We’re going to look at what they are, how to spot them, and what you can do to help.

What Are Sensory Feeding Challenges?

Sensory feeding challenges occur when your child’s brain processes food tastes, textures, smells, and it all becomes overwhelming. Eating stops being enjoyable and starts to feel stressful.

Statistically, studies show that up to 80% of children with sensory processing difficulties have some type of feeding issue. When your child refuses food, it’s often their nervous system reacting to what feels like a real threat. Think of it as a fight-or-flight response.

So if your child turns away from the food that you’ve cooked them for dinner, know that it’s not meant to hurt your feelings; it’s about how their brain is processing the food.

Signs Your Child Might Have Sensory Feeding Challenges

Common signs your child might have a sensory feeding challenge include:

  • Refusing foods based on texture, temperature, or color
  • Gagging, spitting, or vomiting when trying new foods
  • Meltdowns during mealtime
  • Preferring only very bland or very crunchy foods
  • Eating only the same five foods
  • Difficulty sitting at the dinner table

If you feel like you’re constantly negotiating every bite, your child may be experiencing a sensory processing difficulty that’s showing up as a feeding challenge.

Tips to Address Sensory Feeding Challenges at Home

Here are a few things you can try at home to help:

1. Start with play.

Go back to basics. Let your child explore the food. Touch it, play with it, smell it, smash it, do all of those things. The goal is to reduce pressure and build comfort.

2. Create a predictable mealtime routine.

Predictable mealtimes and routines help. So having meals at the same time, in the same place (like at the dinner table or in a highchair) can help reduce stress and increase regulation.

3. Try a “no, thank you” cup or bowl.

For the littles, when you’re introducing a new food, you can have a “no, thank you” cup or bowl. That way, you can let your child spit it out instead of making it a big fight if they don’t like it. This is a baby step toward trying new foods without pressure.

4. Avoid forcing bites.

Most importantly, with any kids with feeding challenges, we don’t want to force fights on kids. We want to make sure that they’re feeling in control, because if they feel dysregulated, their nervous system’s really going to spike and it’s going to go into fight or flight activity.

The one thing kids have control over as kids (or at least they should) is what goes into their mouth. Kids have control over what goes into their body and what comes out, which is also why feeding challenges are often linked to constipation or withholding.

See a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for Expert Help

It’s time to seek help from a pediatric occupational therapist when:

  • Eating is affecting your child’s growth or weight gain
  • Mealtimes are impacting your family’s daily routine
  • The stress around food feels overwhelming for you or your child

Pediatric occupational therapists who specialize in feeding can help desensitize your child’s sensory system, introduce new foods gradually, and support your family in making mealtimes a safe, positive environment.

Reach Out to First Steps for Personalized Support

First Steps is here to help you get the support that you need that’s going to make a huge difference in your life. Our goal is to help your child with what they eat, and moreover, how they feel about eating. I promise, your child really isn’t being difficult. Eating in general just really feels difficult to them. And we’re here to support you, and we can help.

If you have any questions or would you like to schedule an evaluation, please reach out to us at (720) 989-0179.