Feeding Environments and Routines

KEY MESSAGES

• Mealtime is not just a time for eating, but a time for relationship building, exploring food, learning mealtime manners, and developing social skills.
• A child’s ability to participate fully in the mealtime routine can be influenced by a range of factors, including the physical and sensory environments.
• A predictable mealtime routine and environment can help a child learn the difference between hunger and satiation, and may help with self-regulation.
• The communication, actions, and reactions of parents and other family members have a strong influence on the eating habits and behaviours of children.
• Support parents to observe their child’s behaviours, reactions and communications during a mealtime.
• Empowering parents to be involved in feeding their infant and child at every step of the way provides the foundation for a positive feeding relationship.