One Simple Strategy That Can Reduce Mealtime Stress

Gentle ideas to support families living with Kleefstra Syndrome

Mealtimes can be one of the most challenging parts of the day for families affected by Kleefstra Syndrome.

Food refusal, anxiety around eating, sensory sensitivities, slow eating, or unpredictable reactions can turn what should be a routine activity into a source of stress, And that’s not just for the child or young person, but for the whole family as well!

While there’s no single approach that works for everyone, one strategy many families find helpful is reducing pressure and focusing on predictability and safety at mealtimes.

Why are mealtimes sometimes so stressful?

Mealtime challenges can be influenced by many factors, including:

• Sensory sensitivities (taste, texture, smell, noise)
• Anxiety or anticipation around eating
• Pain or discomfort (including gastrointestinal issues)
• Communication difficulties
• Fatigue or overstimulation earlier in the day

When some (or even all) of these factors combine, mealtimes can quickly feel overwhelming for everyone.

A helpful strategy: predictable, low-pressure mealtimes

One approach that can help reduce stress is removing pressure to eat and focusing instead on routine, familiarity and calm. This doesn’t necessarily mean “giving up”….it means shifting the goal from how much is eaten to how safe and supported the mealtime feels.

What might this actually look like in practice?

Try and keep mealtimes predictable because this helps reduce anxiety by removing surprises. So things like:

• Eating at similar times each day where possible
• Use the same seating position
• Serve familiar foods alongside any new foods

Reduce pressure to eat. Lower pressure often leads to calmer mealtimes and sometimes better outcomes over time. Easier said than done but: 

• Avoid coaxing, bribing or forcing bites
• Allow your child to decide whether and how much they eat
• Focus on exposure to food rather than consumption

Small environmental changes can make a big difference so creating a calmer environment around the dinner table might be something that works for you:

• Reduce noise and distractions where possible
• Keep mealtimes relaxed and unhurried
• Consider sensory needs (lighting, seating, cutlery, textures)

Seating and positioning can also matter

For some KS children and young people, how they are supported when sitting can influence comfort, confidence and participation at mealtimes. While specialist feeding or postural seating is sometimes recommended (often with guidance from an occupational therapist or physiotherapist), some families find that everyday chairs …with the right adjustments….can also help.

Everyday chairs that can still help

We did some searching and asking. around so that you don’t have to! No affiliations with any of these suggestions but our research suggested they looked useful so we thought we’d share:

Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair
A highly adjustable chair that grows with a child and allows them to sit close to the table with the rest of the family. With the right accessories, it can offer good postural support as needs evolve and help children feel included at mealtimes.

Cuggl Compact Travel Feeding Booster
A portable booster seat that can be useful for shared family meals or eating away from home. Its portability can help maintain familiar seating routines when environments change.

Millhouse Sturdy Feeding Chair and Feeding Chairs Basic
Simpler feeding chair options that can still support stable sitting and participation at the table. For some children, these straightforward designs provide enough structure without feeling overwhelming.

Noticing patterns might be helpful

Some families find it helpful to gently note:

• Which foods feel safest
• Times of day when eating is easier or harder
• Links between behaviour, pain or tiredness and mealtimes

These insights can be useful when talking to professionals and deciding what might help next.

A gentle reminder

Mealtime challenges are very rarely caused by poor behaviour or lack of effort. Every child or young person with Kleefstra sSndrome is different. What works for one family may not work for another, and that’s okay. Progress is rarely linear, and even small steps count.

We’d love to learn from you

Families living with Kleefstra sSndrome often become experts through lived experience. If you’ve found a tool, trick or approach that’s helped reduce mealtime stress for your child…whether big or small…we’d love to hear about it. Because what works for one family won’t work for everyone, but shared experiences can be incredibly reassuring and helpful for others walking a similar path.

We’d LOVE to hear your thoughts….

• In the comments on our social media posts
• Or by emailing us at info@kleefstrasyndrome.org

REMEMBER! – You’re not alone!

Many families in the KS community experience similar challenges around food and eating. Sharing strategies, experiences and reassurance can be incredibly powerful. If mealtimes are currently a source of stress for your family, please know that support is available, and that reducing pressure can sometimes be a helpful first step.

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow us on our social channels as quite often our community share stories, ideas and suggestions that might just help. And of course, don’t forget we’ve got the 2026 Family Conference in July. This is the PERFECT opportunity to hear from others who might also have experienced (or still be experiencing) sleep disturbances.

If you have any questions please contact us at info@kleefstrasyndrome.org.