Is It Just Picky Eating - or Something Bigger?

As parents, we all worry about our child’s eating habits at some point. Maybe they refuse to eat broccoli, only eat “kid food”, or seem to prefer snacks over a regular meal. But when does picky eating cross the line into something more serious? And how do you know when it’s time to seek help? 

Picky Eating Can Be a Normal Part of Development 

It’s completely normal for kids, especially toddlers and preschoolers, to go through a picky eating phase. Around the ages of 1 to 3 years, many children become more cautious about new foods. During this stage, kids may refuse foods they once loved, demand the same food every day, and prefer specific food items. 

Most children outgrow this phase with time, patience, and gentle exposure. Mealtimes might feel frustrating, but these temporary preferences are common and usually don’t interfere with a child’s overall growth or health.

So When Is It More Than Picky Eating? 

While a picky phase is normal, there are times when feeding challenges go beyond the usual and start affecting a child’s health, development, or emotional well-being. This is when we start looking at a more complex condition: Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD). 

PFD goes beyond “just being picky”. PFD is defined as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with one or more of the following:

1. Medical challenges (e.g., reflux, respiratory issues, or neurological concerns)

2. Nutritional concerns (e.g., poor growth or restricted diet)

3. Feeding skill difficulties (e.g., chewing, drinking from a cup, using utensils)

4. Psychosocial issues (e.g., anxiety, learned aversions, caregiver-child stress)

Some children don’t just refuse broccoli. They may struggle to chew, have intense anxiety around mealtimes, or they may not get enough nutrition to grow. In these cases, the challenge may not be a phase, but part of a broader issue that needs support.

Red Flags to Watch For

Here are some signs that feeding difficulties may be more than a phase:

• Your child eats fewer than 20 foods and avoids entire food groups

• Mealtimes are a daily battle filled with stress or meltdowns

• Meals take longer than 30–45 minutes

• Frequent choking, gagging, or vomiting during meals

• Poor weight gain or growth concerns

• Difficulty transitioning to new textures or cup drinking

• Reliance on bottles, pouches, or purees past the expected age

• High anxiety or distress around mealtimes

Why This Matters for Parents

It’s easy to brush off feeding struggles as “just picky eating”. But when these challenges persist, impact your child’s health, or create stress in your home, you deserve support. Early identification and intervention can make a big difference, and help your child build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

Looking For Support with an Occupational Therapist 

If you're concerned about your child's feeding habits, you're not alone—and support is available. At Little Bites Feeding Therapy, we specialize in pediatric feeding therapy for children with feeding difficulties, including those with Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other developmental differences. We proudly serve families in the greater Orlando area with in-home, play-based support that helps children build confidence at mealtimes.