RESPONSIVE FEEDING Learning Objectives Define responsive feeding and

RESPONSIVE FEEDING

Learning Objectives • Define responsive feeding and discuss the importance of it. • Interpret cues related to hunger and mealtime for infants and children. • Apply the principles of responsive feeding at home at different ages and stages. © 2018 SPOON 2

Responsive Feeding • Back and forth communication that emphasizes watching, listening, and responding. • Accepts that when, how often, and where we eat is very personal. • Recognizes that mealtimes are about more than just food and nutrition. © 2018 SPOON 3

Responsive Feeding • “Mealtime guidance that depends upon the feeder’s ability to read the eater’s cues in order to make the meal manageable, enjoyable, and successful for the eater, without giving up developmentally appropriate structure and expectations. ” Moreland, H. (2018, August 6). What does “Responsive Feeding” Really Mean? [Weblog post]. Retrieved from http: //spectrumpediatrics. com/blog/2018/08/responsive_feeding_meaning/ • “You provide, your child decides” AAP, Healthychildren. org © 2018 SPOON 4

Responsive Feeding AAP's Responsive Feeding Video © 2018 SPOON 5

Benefits of Responsive Feeding • Encourages learning healthy eating habits for life. • Helps children learn when they are hungry or full. • Helps child bond with and trust the caregiver. • Teaches that mealtimes are fun, comfortable, and happy. • May help maintain a healthy weight over time. © 2018 SPOON 6

Communication • Words • Gestures • Eye gaze • Body language • Facial expression

Infant Feeding Cues Hunger Cues ”All Done” Cues • Early • Stirring • Stop sucking • Opening mouth • Start and stop sucking several times • Bringing hands to mouth • Let go of the bottle or breast • Turning head from side to side • Push the nipple out of the mouth with • Making sucking motions or noises the tongue • Turn head away from the bottle or • Stretching • Bend or straighten arms and legs breast • Get distracted • Make fists and bring hands to the • Start to fidget tummy • Fall asleep • Late • Crying • Lots of movement • Color turning red © 2018 SPOON 8

Feeding Cues for Toddlers & Children Hunger Cues “All Done” Cues • Early • Pushing bottle/cup/food away • Throwing bottle/cup/food onto the floor • Turning away from the food or the table • Covering their mouth • Spitting food out • Saying “all done” or “no” • Climbing out of highchair or seat • Late • Fussing • Crying • Having a tantrum • Bringing hands to mouth or toys to mouth • Bringing hands to the tummy or rubbing the tummy • Pointing or using words to tell you • Pulling you towards the kitchen or table • Late • Short tempered • Fussy • Inflexible and rigid behavior • Tantrum • Having a “meltdown” © 2018 SPOON 9

Applying Responsive Feeding • Positive pressure is still pressure! • Natural reinforcers: • Satisfying

Applying Responsive Feeding • Trauma-Informed Approach • Quality of relationship over quality of nutrition • Creating emotionally safe environment • Restoring power to the child to make food choices • Valuing the child no matter their size, shape and food-related challenges • Being transparent about mealtime decisions and explaining “why” whenever possible • Respecting the child’s gender, culture and history © 2018 SPOON 11

Steps to Responsive Feeding 1. Pay attention to the child’s communication 2. Respond warmly and promptly 3. Feed the right food for the infant or child’s age and stage 4. Let the infant or child stop when they are full 1. Focus on being affectionate and nurturing © 2018 SPOON 12

Key Takeaways ü Infants and children communicate in a variety of ways and being responsive emphasizes watching, listening, and responding to feeding cues. ü The focus of mealtime is not just how or how much an infant or child eats, but the loving interaction between child and caregiver. © 2018 SPOON 13