K I D S Ñ H e a lt h Ne w s
KNOW THE CAUSE
More Than Just Picky
Not all kids will grow out of their selective eating. Experts in feeding therapy explain how to know if your child may need extra support. LOOK FOR SIGNS
We all have foods we’d rather not eat, and that is especially true (and normal) for toddlers as they test their newfound independence. “Most toddlers like something one day, then might refuse it for days or even weeks,” says Kimberly Korth, an occupational therapist and feeding program coordinator at Children’s Hospital Colorado, in Aurora. “But it eventually comes back to their repertoire when you try again.” What you don’t want is for them to be overly regimented, says
A Quick Meditation for Daily Life
PA R E N T S
30 M A R C H
2022
Kelly Komisaruk, a speech pathologist and pediatric feeding specialist in St. Cloud, Florida. Red flags include eating less than 20 foods, eliminating whole food groups or textures, having huge mealtime tantrums, or being very specific about brands, their silverware, or where they eat. By age 3, most kids should grow out of such big behaviors, Komisaruk says. “Instead of having a tantrum, they should be able to say, ‘I don’t like that.’ ” If these habits sound familiar or haven’t subsided, or if meals
Kids past toddler age usually have a reason for their extreme food selectivity, Korth says. They may have developmental delays, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or sensory sensitivities. “Or maybe they got sick,” Komisaruk says. “I see kids who had a stomach flu and have trouble eating after that.” A child may also have an allergy or a gastrointestinal problem, either of which can teach them to associate pain with eating. U N D E R S TA N D T R E AT M E N T
Feeding therapy can involve speech pathologists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and developmental pediatricians. For most, the process shouldn’t be too long. “I would give it six months to start initial goals, but it shouldn’t take three years,” Komisaruk says. Sessions often focus on exposing a kid to new foods, working through sensory sensitivities, and making eating fun for the whole family. “I always tell parents their child may not become the most adventurous eater, but therapy will bring them to a point where life and meals aren’t so stressful,” Komisaruk says.
Think your kids won’t like meditating? That might be true if you’re picturing a crisscross applesauce “om” moment, but sensory meditation is an easy technique that throws the usual “rules” out the window. First, have them focus on one thing they can taste. Guide them along, asking questions such as, “Can you still taste breakfast?” They can silently ponder or answer aloud. If the conversation gets off track, gently prompt them to think of two things they can smell, then three things they can hear, four things they can feel (let them grab items if they want), and five things they can see (yup, open eyes are allowed). Even one minute per sense will help ground them in the present. “You don’t have to wait for moments of calm or distress,” says Emily Pardy, a family therapist in Nashville who does sensory meditation with her four kids on their drive to school. “You can do this while fixing breakfast, and it is just like a pause button.”
Sore-Throat Savers Pediatricians share tips for providing relief all day long. In the morning If your child wakes up and says their throat hurts, assess the symptoms, says Heather Felton, M.D., a pediatrician and Parents AAP panel member. A sore throat with a headache or stomach pain could be strep throat; congestion and a cough could be a virus, including a cold or COVID-19. Throat pain can come from sinus drainage after lying down, so your child may feel discomfort early on. It can help to give acetaminophen or ibuprofen in the morning, says Antwon Chavis, M.D., a Parents advisor and assistant professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University.
During the day “Kids won’t eat quite as well when sick, but the bigger risk is dehydration,” Dr. Chavis says. “Prioritize giving them any fluids they like.” Warm caffeine-free tea can provide extra relief. On the cooler side, ice pops can comfort and hydrate. Dr. Felton also recommends a spoonful of honey for kids over age 1. Gargling with salt water or sucking on lozenges for kids who are old enough to not swallow either may also help. Just remember to steer clear of lozenges that numb and opt for those that soothe.
Before bed It’s best not to give your child sleep-inducing medicine, Dr. Felton says. Instead, return to acetaminophen and honey. Honey will coat and protect your child’s throat from added irritation as they lie down. While you’re thinking about postnasal irritation, prop their head up with an extra pillow to minimize that drip. Steam from a humidifier can also help them sleep through the night, Dr. Chavis says.
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are overly stressful, it’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. As with most issues, getting help sooner is better, but Komisaruk reminds parents that it is never too late. If your extremely picky toddler is now an extremely picky teen, there is help for them too.
