Feeding & Picky eaters
Feeding is one of the most important daily living skills for children. It’s about more than nutrition — feeding helps children develop oral motor skills, sensory processing, self-feeding independence, and social interaction during mealtimes.
But many parents worry when mealtimes become stressful due to picky eating, food refusal, or feeding difficulties. Some children eat only a handful of foods, struggle with textures, or refuse entire food groups. This can impact not only their nutrition and growth, but also family routines and a child’s confidence.
What Is Picky Eating?
Picky eating is when children consistently limit the foods they will eat. This can look like:
Eating fewer than 20 different foods.
Refusing whole textures (e.g., crunchy, wet, mixed foods).
Gagging or crying when new foods are offered.
Only accepting certain brands, colours, or presentations of food.
Struggles with self-feeding skills or transitioning from purees to solids.
SOS Feeding Approach for Picky Eaters
The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding Approach is a research-based feeding therapy used by occupational therapists and speech-language therapists worldwide.
It focuses on the idea that eating is a complex skill involving:
Sensory processing (smell, touch, taste, sight, sound).
Oral motor skills (chewing, biting, swallowing).
Postural control (sitting safely and comfortably).
Learning and emotional regulation.
The SOS Approach helps children move through a step-by-step process to feel safe and confident with food:
Looking at food.
Smelling food.
Touching food.
Bringing food near the face.
Licking or kissing food.
Biting or tasting.
Chewing and swallowing.
This gradual exposure reduces anxiety, builds confidence, and supports children in expanding their diet at their own pace.
Common Feeding & Mealtime Challenges
Extreme picky eating and refusal of food groups.
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or using utensils.
Gagging or vomiting with new foods.
Anxiety or behavioural meltdowns around mealtimes.
Limited diet leading to nutritional concerns.
Difficulty transitioning from bottle/breastfeeding to solids.
Sensory sensitivities to food textures, smells, or sounds at mealtimes.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Occupational therapists trained in the SOS Feeding Approach support children and families by:
Assessing oral motor, sensory, and developmental skills.
Designing feeding therapy programs tailored to each child.
Using play-based feeding strategies to reduce mealtime stress.
Coaching parents on how to support food exploration at home.
Addressing underlying sensory processing differences.
Building positive mealtime routines that promote calm and connection.
Practical Tips for Parents at Home
Keep mealtimes calm and pressure-free — avoid forcing or bribing.
Offer a “safe food” (something your child reliably eats) alongside new foods.
Encourage food play — let your child touch, smell, or explore foods without eating them.
Use fun food exploration activities (food painting, building shapes with cut veggies).
Stick to regular routines so your child knows what to expect.
Model positive eating behaviours — let children watch you enjoy a variety of foods.
Celebrate small steps (even smelling or licking a food is progress!).
When to Seek Help
If picky eating is extreme, your child has a very limited diet, or mealtimes are stressful and exhausting for your family, support from an occupational therapist trained in the SOS Feeding Approach can make all the difference. Early help prevents feeding challenges from becoming long-term struggles.
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