How to Talk to Parents About Feeding Concerns Without Causing Defensiveness
In this segment Hallie Bulkin advises clinicians and caregivers on how to discuss feeding concerns with families in a way that minimizes defensiveness. She warns against over‑educating parents, listing exhaustive red‑flag symptoms, or positioning the professional as the family’s expert, as these approaches often cause families to shut down. Instead, she recommends moving from giving direct advice to expressing shared concern, using observational and invitational language (e.g., noting a child’s cough while drinking) and asking open‑ended questions that invite parents to notice and reflect on the child’s behavior (e.g., “have you noticed she stuffs her mouth?”). This strategy encourages parents to connect the dots themselves, fostering collaboration rather than resistance.
