Child Feeding

We stay abreast recent research, trainings and resources on responsive feeding practices. We learn from experts like Dr. Katja Rowell, Grace Wong, MSc, RD, CEDRD-S and Jenny McGlothlin, MS, SLP. Responsive feeding centers around respect for a child’s unique abilities and embraces their strengths as well as perceived weaknesses when it comes to intake (and beyond). Responsive feeding is about decreasing pressure, creating supportive and positive feeding environments and nurturing curiosity and exploration at the pace of the child – rather than based on expectations and desires of a feeding team. Instead of starting with exposure work or pushing for increased intake, we take a deeper dive into the nuance of eating and feeding with you, the parent, at the center of the team.

For decades, the “gold standard” in feeding families has been Division of Responsibility (DOR), an approach created and researched by the renowned Ellyn Satter MS, RD, MSSW. We continue to use the research and resources of DOR in our work at Nutrition Instincts. In the DOR approach, parents and kids have distinct responsibilities. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the what, when and where of feeding and kids are responsible for the how much and whether of eating. When parents feel good about doing their jobs and holding up their feeding responsibilities, children are able to feel calm and confident with their own eating responsibilities.

We embrace all body sizes and types in our practice. We will never provide weight loss services to children or teens (or adults for that matter). We stand firmly in our belief that people come in all shapes and sizes and that all people deserve nutrition support that focuses on their needs and health over the idea that someone should be at a specific body size. Putting children and teens on diets/focusing on weight control has been shown to increase risk of disordered eating and eating disorders and does not even lead to “weight control” in the long term. If you’re interested, check out these videos & podcasts that dive into this topic more:  Poodle Science  Unpacking Weight Science

Depending on the age of your child and their experiences, we may recommend that we work only with the parents for a portion of the nutrition therapy process. A large part of our family feeding process rests in providing parents with the support and tools they need to feel calm and confident with feeding their child/family and having a safe place to discuss their challenges, concerns, stressors, etc… Parents implement the treatment so it often makes sense to primarily work one to one with parents and caregivers. Again, this will depend on the age of your child and what you’re seeking support for.