This post was written by Gabrielle LaSala, a recent graduate of Nutritional Sciences in the Dietetics path at Penn State University. After completing Graduate school, Gabrielle wants to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and focus on nutrition-related illnesses within pediatrics and families. Her passion for dietetics stemmed from her lifelong journey with food allergies and intolerances. Her favorite foods are steak and pasta with zucchini! Follow Gabrielle’s gluten-free adventures on Instagram @amoreglutinefree
As parents, we all want to raise kids who grow healthy, strong, and develop a positive relationship with food from a young age. However, mealtimes can often be a battleground filled with power struggles, picky eating, and mealtime meltdowns. As a Pediatric and Family Dietitian and mom of four, I thought feeding my kids would be easy given my profession was literally in child feeding. But after struggling with tongue tie, reflux, and picky eating, I began to truly embrace the feeding approaches that I had studied endlessly during my PhD research. One approach, the Division of Responsibility in Feeding, has been transformative for our family meals and keeping mealtime stress at bay.
The Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR) was developed by Ellyn Satter, a Registered Dietitian and Family Therapist who specializes in child feeding. The sDOR is based on the idea that as parents, we are responsible for what, when, and where our children eat, while our children are responsible for how much and whether to eat. This approach may sound simple, but it often challenges common parenting instincts. For many parents, implementing the Division of Responsibility requires a conscious effort and practice, as it doesn’t always come naturally.For example, many parents often fall into the trap of trying to control how much or what our children eat. We may coerce them into finishing their plate or only let them eat dessert if they eat food options that we deem as “healthy.” However, this can lead to power struggles and hinder our children from developing a positive relationship with food. By following the sDOR, we give our children autonomy over mealtimes which empowers them to learn how to make their own food choices and listen to their hunger and fullness cues, ultimately helping them learn how to self-regulate their eating habits. After all, lifelong, independent eaters is our long-term goal. It’s important to note that the sDOR is not a strict set of rules, but rather a flexible framework that allows for individual differences in appetite and preferences. As parents, we still have control over what types of food are offered and when meals and snacks are served.
The Division of Responsibility in Feeding was first coined by Ellyn Satter, a registered dietitian and family therapist, in the 1980s. It has since become a widely accepted approach to feeding children and is recommended by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization. Satter’s work in pediatric nutrition and her experience as a family therapist led her to observe that many families struggled with power struggles, picky eating, and mealtime battles, often stemming from a lack of clear roles and responsibilities around food. In response, she developed the Division of Responsibility in Feeding as a practical and theoretically sound model grounded in an understanding of children’s growth, behavioral, nutritional, psychosocial, and physical competencies. The sDOR aims to create a supportive feeding context that allows children to develop “Eating Competence” – a positive and nurturing relationship with food.
The sDOR is an evidence-based approach that outlines clear roles for both parents and children during mealtimes:
Implementing the sDOR has been shown to offer numerous benefits for families, including:
Implementing the Division of Responsibility might seem straightforward, but it often requires a shift in mindset and approach for many parents, requiring time and patience. The key is to provide structure around meals while allowing children to develop self-regulation skills. Here are some practical ways to put this approach into action:
Remember, the goal is to create a positive mealtime atmosphere where children can learn to trust their bodies and develop a healthy relationship with food. It may take time, but with patience and persistence, many families find this approach reduces mealtime stress and promotes healthier eating habits.
Parents are responsible for:
Infants are responsible for:
Tip: Be responsive to hunger/fullness signals and avoid distractions during feedings.
Parents are responsible for:
Toddlers are responsible for:
Tip: Offer variety, establish routines, and allow self-feeding.
Parents are responsible for:
Children are responsible for:
Tip: Involve kids in meal planning/preparation, eat family meals together, and allow age-appropriate independence in food choices.
Children with developmental disabilities may have unique feeding challenges that require adjustments to the sDOR approach. Here are some strategies to adapt the Division of Responsibility for these children:
Read more here: The Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding Works for Special Needs
By following Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding and incorporating these strategies, you can create a positive mealtime environment and help your children develop a healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime.
Do you want to learn more about the Division of Responsibility in Feeding?
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Welcome to From the Start Nutrition! Hey there, I’m Beth Conlon, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 14 years of experience in pediatric and family nutrition. I’m here on a mission to support you in confidently nourishing your family, tackling feeding challenges, and making mealtimes stress-free! As a mom of four, I get the ups and downs of feeding little ones. Let me be your guide in addressing your concerns and helping you foster positive habits right from the start. No fad diets or gimmicks here, just a caring, evidence-backed approach to health and nutrition. Dive into my blog for tips, fun activities, tasty recipes, and reliable information to support and empower you. Sign up for my emails to stay in the loop and swing by my website to explore my services and schedule an appointment or free consultation. Together, let’s crush your family nutrition goals! https://www.fromthestartnutrition.com.
I'm so glad you're here!
As a Pediatric and Family Nutrition Expert and mom of 4, I truly understand the ups and downs of feeding children. This is a space where you can get tips and tricks that will help you with any feeding challenges, from picky eaters to eating disorders, and more. Additionally, I'm excited to share recipes that are perfect for families.
I can't wait to share this journey with you. If you need extra assistance, please contact me today and we can explore ways to work together.
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