Aspiration in children

Many parents feel as though mealtimes are out of their control ….have their patience tested at table by their kids. They harp and fight with their kids to eat certain foods ,yet ultimately, their kids are in charge.

Special meals are made and as parents we scramble to appease them ,hoping they will ingest some nutritious
food! As beautifully explained by Sarah Remmer,nutrition expert,a simple Role Reversal will change Everything! 

I have personally experienced in my practice that Feeding roles are completely reversed in most households.  Kids are ultimately in charge of WHAT, WHEN and WHERE food is served and parents are struggling hard to control whether and HOW MUCH their kids eat…opposite of what it should be!

Parents must set healthy boundaries to grow happy healthy and confident eaters.Its very important as parents to keep the ball in their court and take liberty to decide WHEN , HOW and WHERE to throw the ball .Kids should be granted the option of either to catch or not and HOW to catch!

This is challenging but if these roles are reversed ,it actually perpetuates picky eating! Every child can learn to eat well if only you show them how to do it.

KEY STRATIGIES TO CREATE PEACEFUL MEALTIME AND MINIMIZE STRESS ARE:

* Set healthy mealtime boundaries (the what,where and when of feeding),stick to them and allow your child to take care of rest(whether and how much to eat).

*No toys,screens and other distractions at meals.

*Mealtime manners to be followed.

*No special meals…serve little of what is cooked and allow them to explore,decide and ask for more if desired.

*No inbetween meals snacking and kitchen closed till next mealtime.If they didnt eat at meal time,request or demands for snacks outside of these times are politely turned down .

*Encourage healthy snacking at intervals depending on child age and Strictly discourage all day munching habits!

*Kids should be given liberty to decide whether and HOW MUCH they eat at these times and believe me they wont starve if a request for snack is denied as they will have other opportunity to eat soon enough.

Overtime kids will learn how to regular their apetite healthfully.

In the end ..Each family is unique and you should tailor your own to what works

STAY SAFE HAPPY AND HEALTHY!