Help for Picky Eaters
When picky eating goes beyond typical preferences, feeding therapy can help your child build a healthier relationship with food.
Beyond “Just a Phase”
All children have food preferences — that's normal. But when a child eats only a handful of foods, refuses entire textures or food groups, or when mealtimes have become a daily battle, the challenge may go beyond typical picky eating.
Extreme selective eating can stem from sensory sensitivities, oral motor challenges, anxiety, or negative mealtime experiences. At Bloom, we identify the underlying factors driving your child's food avoidance and address them through a systematic, compassionate approach.
Typical Picky Eating vs. Problem Feeding
Typical Picky Eating
- Eats 30+ different foods
- Can eat with the family (may complain)
- Accepts at least some foods from most food groups
- Will sometimes try new foods with encouragement
- Food preferences change over time
Problem Feeding
- Eats fewer than 20 foods
- Meltdowns or extreme distress at mealtimes
- Refuses entire food groups or textures
- Will not try new foods regardless of approach
- Drops foods from diet and doesn't replace them
Our Approach
Using the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding, we help children build comfort with new foods through a step-by-step process:
Reduce Mealtime Stress
We start by creating a positive, pressure-free mealtime environment. When anxiety decreases, willingness to explore increases.
Sensory Exploration
Through play-based activities, children interact with new foods — touching, smelling, and exploring — before any expectation to eat.
Build Food Bridges
We use "food chaining" — starting from foods your child already accepts and making small, systematic changes (e.g., from crackers to a slightly different cracker to a breadstick).
Parent Coaching
You'll learn evidence-based strategies for presenting foods, responding to refusal, and creating a mealtime routine that supports progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Worried About Your Child's Eating?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your child's feeding challenges. We're here to help.