STUDIES conducted in the United States have found that 50% to 60% of parents reported their children having feeding difficulties. A closer look at the studies revealed that only 25-35% of the children have real feeding difficulties.
For such parents, mealtimes are charged with anxiety or coercion, which often shows up in the way they feed the child, and the child responds by losing his appetite. The more the parent urges or tries to force the child into eating, the more the child will reject the idea of eating.
Hence, it is important for parents to realize that there are many other factors which can affect the child’s appetite, not just feeding difficulties.
Parental support is crucial for a child to develop healthy eating habits.
The Common Factors?
Oral-motor development – Effective eating depends greatly on your child’s readiness and adequacy in oral-motor skills such as sucking, licking, biting, and chewing. You need to be critically aware of this developmental milestone to avoid difficulties during feeding.
Fear of new foods – Also known as neophobia, this developmental stage of rejecting new or novel foods is common for children between the ages of two and three. If this is not managed well, the child may show further signs of distress and anxiety.
Environmental factors – Chaotic work schedules and cultural beliefs of eating are some of the environmental factors that can significantly influence the eating patterns of a child. For example, unpredictable mealtime schedules may create inconsistent eating habits.
Social development – The time when a child starts to assert his independence begins to peak between the ages of two and three to four years old, causing him to have more interest in other things other than food alone. As a result, your child may assert his independence by refusing to eat or insisting on eating only one type of food for days on end.
Unfortunately, many parents are often quick to point the blame at feeding difficulties the moment their children aren’t eating or do not meet the basic expectations of physical growth. This may affect how they react or behave during mealtimes. This can further compromise:
(1) The child’s eating behavior. When a child is forced to try a new food, anxiety may heighten, causing him to remember the uncomfortable experience the next time he is offered the same food. This occurs because the child has associated eating with feelings of distress.
(2) Parent and child relationship. The relationship between the parent and the child can significantly be affected when both go into a nerve-wrecking tug-of-war during stressful mealtimes. Studies have consistently shown that the stronger the parent-child bond, the more likely a child will show interest in eating.
(3) Growth and development. If eating problems persist as a result of coercive feeding techniques, a child’s potential to grow and develop into a healthy and well-rounded individual is compromised.
(4) Nutritional imbalance. The child may be deprived of certain nutrients that are vital to his growth. In rare cases, if the child suffers a lack of certain important nutrients, it may be more difficult for him to fight certain illnesses or disease.
To prevent all these from happening, the cycle of parental pressure during mealtimes should be broken. Instead of feeling anxious, which could result in forceful feeding techniques, you should:
(1) Say goodbye to anxiety! If you are impatient and nervous during a feed, your child may also feel anxious and withdrawn. To avoid anxiety during mealtimes, you can try starting a conversation with your little one by discussing the taste, texture, and smell of the food.
(2) Create a supportive and nurturing environment. A comfortable setting is one where the child feels respected, nurtured, and trusted, allowing him to explore and learn new eating skills without fear of coercion or punishment. This will help your child and you relax and eat better.
(3) Have a little patience. The key to introducing new foods is being a little bit more patient than you normally are. You should also give your child adequate exposure to new foods, and make sure that it is given systematically and gradually so that your child may get used to it.
(4) Never discuss your child’s eating habits during the meal. You should not focus on your child’s eating problems during family mealtimes.
(5) Take control, but be flexible.
As a caring parent, your ultimate goal is to make sure that your child enjoys his food without having to deal with unnecessary stress or anxiety. This is possible when you are relaxed and calm at all times!
(Source: The Sunday Star, August 9, 2009-http://thestar.com.my/health. By Associate Professor Dr Thomas Linscheid)
