Feeding & Eating
18 questions about feeding & eating, answered from across DrSensory. Each answer links to the article it comes from.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child start feeding therapy?
At any age. It starts in the NICU for some babies, and under 3 you can ask your state’s early intervention program for a free evaluation.
More on this: Feeding Therapy: Picky Eater or Feeding Problem?
How do I pick a Halloween costume for a child with sensory sensitivities?
Build it from clothes they already wear — a familiar hoodie with felt ears, leggings with a cape — so nothing new touches their skin. Avoid elastic at the neck and wrists, check for seams and tags by turning it inside out, and skip full-body suits, which trap heat. If your child says it's uncomfortable, believe them the first time.
More on this: Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Costumes, Trick-or-Treating Tips
Does a bad bite cause feeding problems in children?
Rarely on its own. Bite variation is extremely common — a meta-analysis put worldwide malocclusion prevalence at 56% — and most of those children eat normally. Measurable differences in chewing efficiency do show up in studies, but the review that pooled them concluded it is not entirely possible to either support or deny malocclusion's influence on chewing in healthy children, given the quality of the underlying research. Two specific problems have the clearest functional effect: a one-sided posterior crossbite, and an anterior open bite.
More on this: Dental Alignment, Chewing and Swallowing in Kids
What does a bad latch feel like?
Nipple pain that is still there after the first week or so, nipples that are cracked or damaged, a shallow latch, a baby who keeps slipping off, and feeds that are long and unsatisfying. Pain that continues is a signal to get skilled help, not something to push through.
More on this: Tongue Tie in Babies: Symptoms and the Evidence
My baby is struggling to feed — what should we do?
Start with skilled feeding support: an IBCLC lactation consultant, and a speech-language pathologist where indicated. Surgery, if considered at all, is for a clearly restricting anterior tongue tie — not a lip tie.
More on this: Lip Tie in Babies: What the Evidence Actually Shows
What are some easy high-protein foods for a picky eater?
Options that may appeal include smoothies made with milk or a dairy-free alternative plus yogurt or protein powder, hard-boiled eggs, cheese cubes, yogurt-based dips, nut and seed butters like almond or sunflower seed butter, and hummus. Their smoother or more familiar textures can make them less intimidating to try.
More on this: High-Protein Solutions for Children with SPD
When should my baby start eating lumpy foods?
Most children make the move between six and nine months. In a study of 9,360 infants, 71.7% were introduced to lumpy solids in that window, and children introduced after ten months were more difficult to feed and had more definite likes and dislikes at both six and 15 months. A follow-up of 7,821 children found late introduction associated with feeding problems at 15 months and reduced food acceptance still measurable at seven years. If your child is nearing ten months and still on purees only, raise it.
More on this: How to Spot Oral Development Delays in Children Early
Why does my baby make a clicking sound while feeding?
A clicking or popping sound reflects a loss of suction seal, and a seal can be lost for several reasons — positioning, attachment, oversupply, a poorly fitting bottle teat, or a tongue mobility restriction. It is worth mentioning as part of the feeding picture, but on its own it does not identify a tie. Skilled lactation support is the first step, because positioning and attachment account for a large share of feeding difficulty and are fixable in a session.
More on this: Hidden Oral Restrictions in Kids: Signs & What to Do
Does a sensory diet have anything to do with food?
No. The term borrows the idea of regular nourishment through the day, not eating. Many occupational therapists now say sensory activities or sensory plan to avoid the confusion. If eating itself is a concern — a restricted diet, texture difficulty or mealtime distress — that is a feeding assessment question for a speech-language pathologist or an occupational therapist.
More on this: Sensory Diets: What They Are and What the Evidence Shows
Why is my child such a picky eater?
SPD can affect the gustatory (taste) system, so certain flavors or textures might feel intolerable and lead to restrictive eating patterns. Because smell strongly contributes to taste, these sensory variations can result in extreme food preferences or aversions that affect nutrition and eating habits.
More on this: The 8 Sensory Systems and Sensory Processing Disorder
Is gagging on new foods normal?
Some is. CDC notes babies may cough, gag or spit up while adjusting to new textures; gagging with most textures, or coughing with drinks, is worth an evaluation.
More on this: Feeding Therapy: Picky Eater or Feeding Problem?
My child won't wear a mask. What can we use instead?
Face paint, a decorated hat, or a character T-shirt. Masks restrict breathing, vision and hearing at once, which is why they're the most common Halloween problem. If face paint is also difficult, test a small patch on the arm a few days early — some children tolerate it on hands but not on the face.
More on this: Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Costumes, Trick-or-Treating Tips
Can a bad bite make my child a picky eater?
It is very unlikely to be the explanation. Picky eating affects an estimated 13% to 50% of children with a peak between ages two and six, and the contributing factors identified in the literature are genetic predisposition, sensory sensitivities, temperament, family feeding practices, environmental influences and adverse feeding experiences. Malocclusion is not among them. If your child gags on textures or refuses anything wet or mixed, sensory processing is the more useful place to look.
More on this: Dental Alignment, Chewing and Swallowing in Kids
Does a difficult latch always mean tongue tie?
No. Most breastfeeding difficulty is not caused by tongue tie: positioning and attachment, milk supply, breast and nipple anatomy and the baby’s own feeding skills all play a part, which is why a full feeding assessment comes first.
More on this: Tongue Tie in Babies: Symptoms and the Evidence
Is feeding therapy only for picky eaters?
No. It is for any child who has trouble eating or drinking safely or enough: swallowing problems, delayed chewing, tube feeding, or a diet so narrow it affects health or family life.
More on this: Feeding Therapy: Picky Eater or Feeding Problem?
Can a speech therapist help with picky eating?
Yes. Feeding is part of a speech-language pathologist’s scope, and SLPs usually lead feeding teams; an occupational therapist may join for sensory or self-feeding needs.
More on this: Feeding Therapy: Picky Eater or Feeding Problem?
Is picky eating a sign of autism?
Not on its own: picky eating affects about 1 in 5 toddlers. Feeding problems are about five times as likely in autistic children, so an evaluation looks at communication and behavior as well.
More on this: Feeding Therapy: Picky Eater or Feeding Problem?
Will my child outgrow picky eating?
Many picky phases pass, but in one study 40% of picky eating lasted more than two years. It did not affect growth there; weight loss would be a reason to act.
More on this: Feeding Therapy: Picky Eater or Feeding Problem?
Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.