Picky eating is common in early childhood, but for some families, it goes far beyond skipping vegetables. When your child eats the same few foods every day, is reluctant to trying new foods, or melts down at mealtimes, it can turn everyday routines into a major source of stress. A limited diet, food group refusal, or mealtime distress can affect your child’s health, growth, and confidence.
At More to Say Pediatric Development & Therapy, we support families in Branford and Oxford, CT, with responsive, individualized feeding therapy. Our child-led approach helps children feel safe around food and builds the skills they need to eat a wider variety of foods and textures comfortably.
What Counts as Picky Eating?
Most toddlers and preschoolers go through picky eating phases. But when a child eats only a few foods, avoids entire textures or food groups, or refuses to eat in certain settings, it may be more than just a stage.
Signs of extreme picky eating may include:
- Eating fewer than 10–15 total foods
- Avoiding all foods from specific food groups such as all fruits, vegetables, or proteins
- Gagging or vomiting when trying new foods
- Reacting strongly to smells, textures, or food on their plate
- Displaying emotional outbursts or distress at mealtimes
- Requiring food to be prepared in a very specific way (same brand, shape, temperature)
These patterns can leave families feeling stuck, frustrated, or even guilty about what their child is or isn’t eating. Simple outings like a birthday party or dinner with relatives can feel overwhelming when food is a constant battle. It’s completely understandable to feel frustrated, worried, or even defeated when you’re doing your best and your child still won’t eat. You’re not alone and neither is your child; there is support.
Why Do Some Children Struggle with New Foods?
Children who are extremely selective with food may be dealing with underlying challenges that make eating more difficult than it seems. Common contributing factors include:
- Sensory sensitivities: A child may be overwhelmed by how a food feels, smells, or looks.
- Oral motor delays: If it’s hard to chew, suck, or move food efficiently in the mouth, eating can feel like hard work.
- Negative past experiences: Gagging, choking, or being pressured to eat can lead to strong aversions.
No matter the cause, therapy can help your child build confidence, skills, and comfort around food without pressure or fear.
Feeding Therapy Techniques That Help Picky Eaters
Feeding therapy at More to Say is guided by each child’s individual needs. Our therapists use play, sensory exploration, and evidence-based strategies to create a safe, encouraging environment where children can explore food at their own pace.
Some of the techniques we may use include:
- Introducing food through play and sensory experiences to reduce anxiety
- Strengthening oral motor skills needed for chewing and swallowing
- Coaching caregivers on how to offer new foods without pressure
- Using visual supports or routines to build predictability around meals
- Taking gradual, child-led steps toward tasting and accepting new foods
Each child is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why our therapists create individualized plans for each family.
What a Feeding Therapy Session Might Look Like
At More to Say, feeding therapy may not look like a typical mealtime. Sessions are play-based, child-led, and guided by your child’s interests and comfort level.
A child who refuses certain textures might begin by simply touching a new food or using it in a game. Others might work on building tolerance by smelling, kissing, or licking food without being asked to eat it. Therapy might also include practicing oral motor skills like chewing or tongue movement through fun, age-appropriate activities.
Caregivers are part of the process, too. Our therapists provide coaching and at-home strategies to support ongoing progress outside the clinic.
When to Consider Feeding Therapy for Picky Eating
Feeding therapy may be helpful if your child:
- Eats a limited number of foods or avoids entire food groups
- Shows signs of anxiety, gagging, or distress around mealtimes
- Has difficulty chewing, swallowing, or accepting certain textures
- Has a history of reflux, choking, or other negative feeding experiences
- Is falling behind on growth or nutrition goals
If picky eating is creating stress in your home or affecting your child’s health and quality of life, feeding therapy can make a big difference.
Schedule a Free Feeding Therapy Phone Consultation
At More to Say Pediatric Development & Therapy, our licensed therapists help children build a healthy relationship with food through responsive, evidence-based feeding therapy. Whether your child is just beginning to explore solids or struggling with extreme selectivity, we’re here to help.
If feeding your child has started to feel emotional, exhausting, or overwhelming, you’re not alone. Contact our Branford or Oxford, CT location to schedule a free phone consultation. We will help you determine if an evaluation is the right next step and explain how therapy can support your child’s development.
