Should You be Worried About Meal Times with Your Child?

Mealtimes can be a time of connection and nourishment—but for many families, they can become a source of stress and worry. 

Are you finding mealtimes increasingly difficult or emotionally draining? You’re not alone. 

If your child is 

• not biting or chewing, 
• choking while eating or drinking, 
• not eating enough, or 
• not gaining weight, 

these may be signs of a feeding difficulty. 

Other concerns like 

• fussy eating, 
• a restricted diet, 
• mealtimes taking a long time
• mouth overstuffing, or 
• coughing, gagging or vomiting during or after meals 

can also signal that your child may need support. 

Some children may struggle to eat independently, which can affect their participation in social mealtimes or being able to eat confidently outside of the home. 

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s important to know that help is available—and early support can make a big difference.

Feeding difficulties common 

Feeding difficulties are surprisingly common, affecting 20–50% of typically developing children and up to 70% of children born prematurely. These challenges can appear in many forms and often have wide-ranging impacts on a child’s health, development, and family life.

Understanding Common Feeding Challenges

Some of the most common feeding concerns we support include:

• Fussy or selective eating – limited food preferences or refusal to try new foods

• Oral motor difficulties – trouble with sucking, chewing, or swallowing safely

• Sensory sensitivities – aversions to certain textures, smells, or temperatures
• Mealtime anxiety or behavioural issues – stress, tantrums, or refusal to sit at the table
• Transitioning to solids – difficulty moving from milk feeds to purees and finger foods
• Medical or developmental concerns – feeding impacted by reflux, allergies, digestion issues, or neurodevelopmental differences

 

Why Is Early Identification of Feeding / Mealtime Problems Important?

Feeding difficulties can sometimes be the first sign of underlying medical concerns, such as allergies or swallowing problems. Children may begin to associate mealtimes with stress, which can increase anxiety and food refusal, making feeding even more challenging. If left unaddressed, these issues may also worsen over time leading to delays in developmental milestones, nutritional deficiencies and poor growth.

For families, the emotional toll can be significant. Parents often feel overwhelmed trying to maintain a healthy diet for their child while encouraging independence at the table. These struggles can disrupt daily routines, affect social participation, and strain mealtime relationships.

How We Can Help?

We offer a warm, responsive feeding approach to mealtime support which is family-centred, child-led, grounded in evidence-based practice and tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our services include:

• Comprehensive feeding assessments to understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and underlying factors
• Individualised therapy plans that support skill development, sensory regulation, and positive mealtime behaviours
• Parent coaching and education to build confidence and equip families with practical strategies
• Collaborative care with other health professionals, educators, and support networks to ensure holistic support
• Support for transitions—whether it’s starting solids, moving to table foods, or navigating feeding in childcare or school settings

What Are We Aiming For?

Mealtimes are often associated with special events and times of coming together as a family -moments we hope to enjoy, filled with connection, curiosity, and the shared joy of food. 

We hope children will explore a range of flavours, learn new skills, and grow in confidence with each bite.  If you look at how mealtime is portrayed in the media it looks simple, easy and not messy. 

But feeding is more than just a natural instinct—it’s a complex, learned skill that begins at birth and continues to develop through the early years.

From the delicate coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing in infancy to mastering chewing and managing a variety of textures, every child’s feeding journey is unique. Our service is here to support families through this journey, nurturing positive mealtime experiences, building skills, and helping children thrive with confidence and comfort at the table.

Our goal is to make mealtimes more enjoyable, less stressful, and developmentally supportive—for both children and their families.

Your Feeding and Mealtime Management Team

All these areas are supported by our experienced feeding team. Our feeding speech pathologists have specialised training in feeding assessment and therapy, helping families manage a wide range of feeding concerns with confidence and care.

Feeding assessments are most effective when conducted by a multidisciplinary team, which may include 

• occupational therapists and 
• physiotherapists who bring expertise in motor development, sensory processing, and postural support. 

We also work closely with 

• dietitians, 
• behaviour support practitioners, 
• doctors and
• other professionals 

to ensure your child receives comprehensive, coordinated care.

Together, we’re here to support your child’s feeding journey by building skills, reducing stress, and strengthening mealtime relationships.