Feeding Guidelines to Address Fear of Eating for your Child

1. Manage mealtimes

Establishing a structured mealtime routine is crucial for overcoming food phobia and fear of eating in children. Here are some tips:

Schedule meals every 3 to 4 hours to create a predictable eating pattern. This consistency helps reduce anxiety around eating and ensures your child knows when to expect food.

Limit Mealtime Duration: Keep meals to a maximum of 30 minutes. This prevents mealtimes from becoming stressful and encourages children to focus on eating during the designated time. 

2. Select appropriate food

Encourage your child to practice chewing and swallowing by introducing soft, smooth-textured foods. These are easier to manage and can help build confidence in eating.

3. Address the fear

Gradually introduce items associated with feeding, such as the high chair, spoon, and bib, outside of mealtimes. This helps reduce anxiety and fear eating by making these items less intimidating.

4. Understand Hunger Signals

Feed your child when they show signs of hunger and end meals when they show signs of being full. Recognizing these signals helps manage food phobia, ensures a positive eating experience, and prevents overfeeding.

Overcome Fear Eating with PediaSure Plus^®

Dealing with fear eating in children can be challenging, but PediaSure Plus® offers a solution to help ensure your child gets the necessary nutrients for healthy growth. PediaSure Plus® is a complete, balanced nutritional supplement designed to support your child’s faster growth (vs no nutritional supplementation; with three balanced meals and exercise).

It contains essential vitamins and minerals that are often lacking in the diets of picky eaters. By incorporating PediaSure Plus® into your child’s diet, you can provide a nutritional safety net that addresses gaps caused by selective eating habits.