How a Trained Feeding Therapist Can Support Your Child’s Mealtimes

Feeding difficulties can be a common challenge for some children. These difficulties can range from picky eating to more severe issues such as oral aversion or difficulty swallowing.

That’s where an SOS-Trained Feeding Therapist comes in.

In this post, we’ll explore what feeding difficulties can look like, what the SOS Approach to Feeding involves, and how a trained therapist can make a meaningful difference to your child’s relationship with food.

What Are Feeding Difficulties?

Feeding difficulties can present in many ways, including:

• Picky or selective eating

• Gagging or vomiting when introduced to new foods

• Sensory sensitivities (e.g., texture, smell, temperature)

• Limited food variety or food refusal

• Oral-motor difficulties (chewing, swallowing)

• Mealtimes that are stressful for both the child and the family

These behaviours can be linked to a number of underlying factors — from sensory processing differences to developmental delays, medical history, or past trauma around food.

It’s important to remember: your child is not being difficult — they are having difficulty.

What Is the SOS Approach to Feeding?

SOS stands for Sequential Oral Sensory. It’s a well-researched, child-centered approach that considers the whole child — not just what they’re eating (or not eating).

The SOS Approach looks at:

• Physical and oral-motor skills

• Sensory processing

• Developmental milestones

• Medical and nutritional history

• Emotional and family dynamics at mealtimes

Rather than using pressure or rewards, the SOS Approach supports children to gradually explore and accept new foods through play, curiosity, and connection — at their own pace.

How Can an SOS-Trained Feeding Therapist Help?

An SOS-Trained Feeding Therapist is equipped to:

• Assess your child’s feeding challenges from a whole-child perspective

• Create a step-by-step plan tailored to your child’s needs

• Work with your family to reduce mealtime stress

• Build your child’s confidence and comfort around food

• Support the development of safe oral-motor and feeding skills

Through playful, low-pressure strategies, children learn to trust food — and themselves — one step at a time.

This might include:

• Exploring food with fingers before mouths

• Learning to tolerate new smells or textures

• Practicing skills like chewing or moving food in the mouth

• Building consistent routines and positive mealtime associations

Feeding Is Emotional — And That’s Okay

Mealtimes can be full of emotion: frustration, worry, guilt, even grief.If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to help your child, you’re not alone.

Feeding therapy isn’t just about the child — it’s about supporting the whole family with understanding, empathy, and evidence-based tools.

Nurture and Build: How We Support Families

At Nurture and Build, we’re trained in the SOS Approach and experienced in working with neurodivergent children and children with developmental delay. Our focus is always on capacity-building, connection, and respect.

We help families:

• Understand the root of feeding challenges

• Create realistic goals

• Build safe, child-led routines

• Reduce stress around food and mealtimes

• Celebrate the small wins that lead to big change

💬 Ready to explore feeding therapy for your child?

Reach out to us to learn how an SOS-Trained Feeding Therapist can support your family.You don’t have to do this alone — we’re here to walk alongside you.