#1 Your child will eat when they are hungry.
There are many reasons that a child with PFD might not eat even when they’re hungry. For example, if eating or drinking is painful, the child may begin to link feeding with discomfort. They may avoid eating to avoid pain, even when they’re physically hungry. Similarly, a child with mouth-muscle problems may want to eat but be unable to coordinate sucking from a bottle, chewing, and swallowing.
#2 It’s just a phase–they’ll grow out of it.
There are many reasons that a child with PFD might not eat even when they’re hungry. For example, if eating or drinking is painful, the child may begin to link feeding with discomfort. They may avoid eating to avoid pain, even when they’re physically hungry. Similarly, a child with mouth muscle problems may want to eat but be unable to coordinate sucking from a bottle, chewing, and swallowing.
#3 My child is following their growth curve, so there is no concern.
Some children may follow their growth curve but still show signs of PFD. If you have to take extra measures to get your child to eat, there may be a concern.
#4 Babies are born knowing how to eat.
Eating is not instinctive for all babies. Some babies may require support from medical professionals.
TIP: Don’t let others place expectations on you that you cannot handle. Find a plan that works best for you, your child, and your family. Understand that your plan may need to change throughout this journey.
#5 It’s just picky eating or a power struggle between the parent and child.
Picky eating can occur in the first 5 years of a child’s life, particularly in the toddler years. However, sometimes this pickiness can escalate into a feeding problem that affects the child and family. Similarly, if a child is not eating at any age, it is not the parent’s fault. The child is likely communicating that something about eating is challenging for them.
#6 Placing a feeding tube is a sign of failure on the parent’s part.
Despite parents’ best efforts, sometimes children need a feeding tube to grow and develop. If a feeding tube is being recommended for your child, contact Feeding Matters for support. Through Feeding Matters’ Power of Two Parent-to-Parent mentoring program, you can talk to other parents who have experience with placing a feeding tube for their child, parents who have chosen not to place a feeding tube, and parents who have weaned their child off a feeding tube. For more information on feeding tubes, please visit The Oley Foundation.
#7 PFD is an eating disorder.
PFD is not the same as an eating disorder, such as anorexia. Body image does not play a role in PFD and should not be considered solely a mental health disorder. PFD can be co-diagnosed or turn into ARFID, which is classified as an eating and feeding disorder, but is still different from traditional eating disorders because both exclude body-image disturbance.
#8 My child will always have PFD.
Although PFD may be a lifelong journey for some children, many can develop functional and safe eating skills with proper treatment and therapy.
Some Possible Signs of Feeding Issues:
- Cannot latch on to the breast or bottle
- Sucks in light, quick, fluttery motions rather than taking deep, regular sucks
- Frequent spitting up and/or vomiting after feeding
- Appears hungry shortly after a feeding
- Has diarrhea or rash after feeding
- Still body or arching of the back during a feeding
- Not following baby’s own growth curve
- Unusually short or long feedings
- Consistently rejects solid foods
- Unable to keep food or liquid in mouth
- Difficulty chewing age-appropriate food
- Does not enjoy eating a variety of foods or refuses certain food textures
- Gagging
- Coughing and/or choking while eating and/or drinking
- Frequent respiratory illnesses
FamilyMattersFamilyGuide.pdf | https://www.feedingmatters.org/
