I believe feeding starts to make more sense when we stop asking, “How do I get my child to eat?” and start asking, “What is making eating so hard?”
I help families understand the sensory, developmental, motor, emotional, and relationship pieces that can make eating hard — so they can choose support that actually fits their child.
I’m Brenda Chilstrom, OTR/L, a pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist with 30+ years of experience working with children and families.
Most feeding struggles don’t begin with food at all.
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 can 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 understand what’s happening underneath the surface, feeding starts to make a lot more sense.
Hi, I’m Brenda.
I’ve spent more than 30 years as a pediatric occupational therapist helping families understand why everyday things can feel so much harder for some children — including eating.
Early in my career, I kept seeing the same thing: parents were trying hard, children were trying hard, and the usual advice didn’t always fit what was actually happening.
So I went deeper into the pieces that matter in feeding — oral motor development, sensory processing, positioning, nervous system regulation, development, play, and the relationship between a child and the people feeding them.
Over time, one thing became very clear:
Feeding progress is much more likely when we understand what the child’s body, nervous system, skills, and development are telling us — instead of starting with pressure, persuasion, or another strategy to try.
That’s the approach I bring to every family I work with.
I don’t look at a child and ask, “How do we get them to eat more?”
I ask, “What is making eating hard, and what support would make sense from here?
This is the understanding I share with parents inside the Eating with EASE Academy.
Advanced Training & Clinical Foundations
My work is shaped by decades of early intervention experience, along with ongoing advanced training across the many areas that influence feeding, regulation, development, and participation.
My background includes advanced study and clinical experience in:
early intervention and child development
sensory integration and sensory processing
nervous system regulation, breathwork, and body-based approaches
DIR/Floortime and developmental relationship-based approaches
reflex integration
play-based learning and parent coaching
pediatric feeding and responsive feeding approaches
oral motor development and feeding skills
preschool consultation, teacher education, and whole-child classroom support
Solid Starts professional training in baby-led weaning, oral-motor development, sensory feeding, and early eating skills
Feeding rarely fits neatly into one category.
Looking at all of these pieces together helps me understand what could be getting in the way and what kind of support makes sense for your child and family.
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.
Find the Support You Need Right Now
Families come to That Makes Sense OT at different points in their journey.
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
Work directly with Brenda
For families who want individualized, hands-on support
Relationship-based occupational therapy for children with feeding challenges, sensory differences, and daily routines — with parent guidance built in so progress can carry over at home.
Support may include early feeding, chewing and oral-motor skills, G-tube-friendly feeding support, post–tongue tie feeding support, selective eating, sensory differences, and food rigidity.
Available in Southwest Florida.
FES-UA families welcome.
The Eating with EASE Academy
For parents who want a deeper understanding of complex feeding challenges
A self-paced parent program with short lessons and LIVE support to help you understand what may be making eating hard and choose practical next steps that fit your child.
Especially helpful for selective eating, sensory differences, food rigidity, anxiety around food, and neurodivergence.
Available for direct payment through Step Up For Students as an FES-UA Direct Provider.
Online Support
Raising Curious Eaters
For parents who want ongoing support, practical ideas, and a place to keep moving forward
A parent community with practical teaching, useful resources, and support for the everyday moments when feeding gets hard again.
Get help making sense of patterns, trying small changes, and figuring out what may help your child next — without having to start over every time something changes.
Start with the Get Unstuck Challenge, then stay connected for fresh ideas, encouragement, and next steps you can actually use at home.
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.
