What Happens After a Telemedicine Visit for Picky Eating (Child) - Guidance

Audience: pediatric

After a telemedicine visit about your child's picky eating, you will usually receive advice and a plan to help improve their eating habits. The healthcare provider may suggest ways to introduce new foods slowly, create a positive mealtime environment, and monitor your child's growth and nutrition. Sometimes, they might recommend follow-up visits or referrals to specialists if needed. It's important to watch your child’s eating patterns and overall health closely. Telemedicine can help you get guidance and support without leaving home, but if your child shows signs of serious health issues, you should seek in-person care immediately. Remember, managing picky eating often takes time and patience, and your healthcare provider is there to help guide you through this process.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Your child is losing weight or not gaining weight as expected — seek in-person care promptly.
• Your child shows signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, no tears when crying, or fewer wet diapers — get urgent medical attention.
• Your child has difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, or severe allergic reactions after eating — seek emergency care immediately.

What telemedicine can do

• Providing education about picky eating and nutrition.
• Offering strategies to encourage healthy eating habits.
• Monitoring progress through follow-up discussions.
• Referring to specialists if needed.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examinations or growth measurements.
• Diagnosing underlying medical or developmental conditions.
• Conducting feeding therapy or specialized interventions.
• Managing emergency situations or severe health concerns.

What to Expect Immediately After Your Telemedicine Visit

After your telemedicine visit, the healthcare provider will usually summarize the discussion and share recommendations. This may include tips on offering a variety of foods, strategies to reduce mealtime stress, and ways to encourage your child to try new foods. They might also provide educational materials or resources to support you at home.

Monitoring Your Child’s Progress

You will likely be asked to observe your child's eating habits and note any changes or challenges. Tracking your child's growth and nutrition is important. The provider may schedule follow-up telemedicine visits to review progress and adjust advice as needed. Keeping a food diary can be helpful to share during these visits.

When Additional Support May Be Needed

If your child's picky eating continues to affect their growth, nutrition, or daily life, the provider might refer you to specialists like dietitians, feeding therapists, or pediatricians for in-person evaluation. Sometimes, picky eating can be linked to other health or developmental concerns that need more detailed assessment.

Role of Telemedicine in Managing Picky Eating

Telemedicine allows you to discuss concerns, get advice, and receive support conveniently from home. It is well suited for education, guidance, and routine follow-up. However, it cannot replace hands-on physical exams or specialized tests that might be needed if serious issues are suspected.

How to Prepare for Follow-Up Visits

Before follow-up telemedicine visits, gather notes about your child's eating habits, any new foods introduced, and any concerns you have. Have a list of questions ready to make the most of your time with the provider. Ensure a quiet, well-lit space with a good internet connection for the visit.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Make a list of your child's current eating habits and favorite foods.
• Note any concerns or questions you have about your child's eating.
• Prepare a quiet, well-lit space with a stable internet connection for the visit.
• Have your child's growth records or recent health information available if possible.
• Ensure your child is nearby if the provider needs to observe them during the visit.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the provider's advice on introducing new foods and creating positive mealtime routines.
• Keep a food diary to track what your child eats and any reactions.
• Watch for any warning signs or changes in your child's health.
• Attend scheduled follow-up telemedicine visits to discuss progress.
• Seek in-person care if your child's condition worsens or red flags appear.

FAQs

What is picky eating in children?

Picky eating is when a child is very selective about what they eat and may refuse many foods. It is common in young children and often part of normal development.

How can telemedicine help with picky eating?

Telemedicine allows you to get advice and support from healthcare providers without leaving home. Providers can guide you on strategies to improve your child's eating habits and monitor progress.

When should I be concerned about my child's picky eating?

If your child is not growing well, losing weight, showing signs of dehydration, or having difficulty swallowing, you should seek in-person medical care promptly.

Can telemedicine replace in-person visits for picky eating?

Telemedicine is useful for education and follow-up but cannot replace physical exams or specialized tests that may be needed if serious issues are suspected.

What can I do at home to help my picky eater?

Offer a variety of healthy foods repeatedly without pressure, create a calm mealtime environment, and be patient. Avoid forcing your child to eat, and try to make meals enjoyable.

Sources

1. Picky Eating in Children — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Feeding and Eating Disorders in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Nutrition for Toddlers and Preschoolers — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Picky Eating and Feeding Difficulties — Mayo Clinic.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has serious symptoms or health concerns, seek immediate medical attention.