What if feeding your child didn’t feel so stressful every single day?
You weren’t meant to dread mealtimes or feel like you're doing something wrong every time your child refuses food.
Guidance from Brenda Chilstrom, pediatric occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience helping families understand the real reasons feeding becomes difficult for some children.
Most feeding struggles don’t begin with food at all.
Feeding challenges rarely start the way parents think they do.
When a child struggles with eating, it’s easy to assume they’re being picky, stubborn, or strong-willed.
But feeding is actually one of the most complex tasks young children learn.
Feeding challenges often involve things like:
• sensory sensitivities to textures, smells, or mixed foods
• gagging, coughing, or discomfort when trying new foods
• anxiety or strong emotional reactions at the table
• a very short list of accepted foods
• difficulty chewing certain textures
• strong reactions to foods touching each other
When we begin to understand what’s happening underneath the surface, feeding starts to make a lot more sense.
Hi, I’m Brenda, your calm-in-the-midst-of-chaos feeding therapist.
If feeding your child feels stressful, confusing, or emotionally exhausting, you’re not alone.
You may find yourself holding your breath at every meal, wondering if your child will eat more than three bites — or anything at all.
Maybe you dread mealtimes too — not because you don’t care, but because you care so much.
You pack food before every outing just in case.
You plan vacations around what your child might tolerate.
You worry about nutrition, judgment from others, and that quiet question that keeps creeping in:
Is this my fault? Why can’t I figure this out?
Over the years, I’ve talked with so many parents just like you — loving, thoughtful, deeply committed to their child — and still feeling stuck in a feeding journey that feels confusing and isolating.
Early in my career working in early intervention, I had the same questions you probably have now:
What’s really going on beneath the surface?
And what actually helps?
So I began studying everything I could — oral motor development, sensory processing, positioning, nervous system regulation, and play-based learning.
Each one offered an important piece of the puzzle.
But over time, one truth became clear:
No strategy works until a child feels safe.
Trust and connection aren’t extras in the feeding process — they’re the foundation.
They’re what unlock curiosity, reduce power struggles, and allow all those puzzle pieces to finally begin clicking into place.
That realization changed the way I approach feeding completely — and it’s the heart of how I support families like yours today.
This is the understanding I share with parents inside the Eating with EASE Academy.
Advanced Training & Clinical Foundations
My work is informed by ongoing advanced training in pediatric feeding, sensory integration, nervous system regulation, and relationship-based care.
When feeding starts to make sense, you’ll gain…
A clear understanding of what’s really behind your child’s feeding challenges—so you can stop second-guessing yourself.
Confidence to lead mealtimes with calm, connection, and strategies that actually work for your child.
Relief from daily power struggles and rigid routines that leave everyone exhausted.
Stronger connection with your child, built through trust—not pressure.
Mealtimes that feel doable (and even enjoyable)—at home, at restaurants, or on vacation.
Clarity about what your child actually needs—so you can stop guessing and start responding with confidence.
Families come to That Makes Sense OT at different points in their journey.
Choose the Support That Fits Your Family Best
Whether you’re looking for direct therapy support or guidance you can begin using right away, there are a few ways to get started.
In-Person Support
Relationship-based occupational therapy for children navigating feeding challenges, sensory sensitivities, and daily routines — with guidance that helps parents support progress at home.
Available to families in Southwest Florida, including those using the Step Up for Students FES-UA scholarship.
Raising Curious Eaters
An online learning and support community for parents navigating feeding challenges, sensory sensitivities, and big feelings around food.
Inside you’ll find guidance, conversations with other parents, and access to the Eating with EASE Academy, a step-by-step program for understanding and supporting your child’s eating.
Online Support
The Eating with EASE Academy parent learning program explains why feeding challenges happen and how to create calmer, more connected mealtimes.
Available inside the Raising Curious Eaters community.
Listen to what people are saying…
“We used to worry so much about food choices and felt stuck in a constant struggle over meals. Now, watching him independently choose foods from the pantry—even ones he’d once avoided—has been such a proud moment for us. Seeing his growing flexibility and confidence around food has truly brought a sense of peace and freedom to our family.”
- Hope B.
“Before working with Brenda, mealtimes and social settings were often a challenge for G. But now, seeing her enjoy social activities, interact cheerfully with other kids, and even explore foods she used to avoid has been such a heartwarming transformation. It’s incredible to see her confidence and joy shine through again!
- Kristy J.
Tune in for real conversations, real transformations
Learn about the behind the scenes work to build a one-of-a-kind signature feeding program and get a sneak peek into The Eating with EASE Academy.
Lindsay and I discuss how fostering connection at mealtimes can support moms in transforming feeding struggles into peaceful family moments.
This might be the right support if…
• your child eats only a handful of foods
• mealtimes feel stressful or emotional most days
• your child gags, refuses, or avoids certain textures
• you’re constantly worrying about nutrition
• you feel like you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work
• you want to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface
When you’re ready, there are a few ways we can move forward together.
In-Person Support
Relationship-based occupational therapy for children navigating feeding challenges, sensory sensitivities, and daily routines — with guidance that helps parents support progress at home.
Available to families in Southwest Florida, including those using the Step Up for Students FES-UA scholarship.
Raising Curious Eaters
An online learning and support community for parents navigating feeding challenges, sensory sensitivities, and big feelings around food.
Inside you’ll find guidance, conversations with other parents, and access to the Eating with EASE Academy, a step-by-step program for understanding and supporting your child’s eating.
