If mealtimes like breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack times feel like a chore due to challenging behaviors or "picky" eating, here are some helpful tips! Try a couple at home toady to help make mealtimes more enjoyable and increase exposure to new foods:
Establish a meal time routine: wash hands, help set the table, clean up.
Encourage sensory exploration: see, touch, smell, kiss, lick, bite, chew. Work at your child's comfort level. Move on to a new step if your child is willing and doesn't show signs of discomfort or frustration.
Build positive relationships around food: use positive language and avoid negative reinforcement if your child does not finish their food or does not try new foods. Have a "no thank you" bowl to place any foods your child does not want to eat or cannot finish.
Talk about what you see, feel, taste, and like!
Small bites and sips at a time for a safe rate.
Present liquids in open cups or sippy cups to assist with bottle weaning.
Sit upright with feet on the floor for the duration of the meal for safe, stable positioning during eating, drinking, and swallowing.
Have set snack and meal times to prevent grazing throughout the day.
Setting positive expectations will help you and your child make meals together something to look forward to!
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