The division of responsibility in feeding
The parent chooses what, when and where. The child decides whether to eat and how much. That is the whole idea, and it is worth keeping simple.
The two jobs
According to the Ellyn Satter Institute, the Satter Division of Responsibility (sDOR) sets out the adult's role and the child's role in feeding.
- The adult chooses what is offered, sets regular times for meals and snacks, avoids food and drink handouts between them, and chooses where to eat together.
- The child decides whether to eat the food offered and how much of it.
Why it matters for fussy eating
The Institute describes sDOR as a way out of power struggles at eating times, and says that if a child has been pressured in the past, negative eating behaviours may get more extreme for a while before they settle. It also describes cautious eating of new foods as a normal part of toddler development.
What sDOR does not do
It does not set target amounts for a child. That is why Bitzi describes its plate photo as a rough guide to what you might offer and never as a number your child should reach. We do not present Bitzi as Satter-certified or endorsed by the Institute. We follow the approach in how the app talks about meals.
Where Bitzi fits
You choose the plate. Your child chooses how much. Bitzi's guide and celebration are written to stay on the right side of that line.
Sources
- Ellyn Satter Institute: Division of Responsibility in Feeding
- Ellyn Satter Institute: Picky eating
- NHS: What to feed young children
Sources read on 2026-10-26. Pages may have changed since. This guide is general information, not medical advice.