Most parents use their pediatrician as a resource to guide them through the process of developmental milestones, however sometimes your "mommy instinct" is way more in tune with what your baby needs. I was inspired to share this story when a patient came into my office today with her child that was 18 months old, still currently drinking 36-40 ounces of milk from a bottle, would not transition to a sippy cup, eating only stage I purees and not producing words (because of decreased oral motor strength). She had previously mentioned concern to her pediatrician who responded with, "he's pooping, peeing, and growing, I wouldn't worry!"
Well, I wouldn't exactly agree with that comment. This mother was so thankful that she found my office because she did not know how to help her son. I am sharing this story because I want everyone out there to know that sometimes, it is OKAY to tell your pediatrician what to do. Usually, they are the expert, but in some cases you know your child best and can sense when something just doesn't feel right.
My first suggestion for this mommy was to decrease her child's intake of milk, introduce a cup at mealtimes (filled with milk), and transition to a mashed consistency of food. It is important to note: If your child misses feeding milestones (a significant amount of them) you can not just skip to the age-appropriate skills because they haven't learned their lessons from the more immature skills yet. (ie: for this kiddo I wouldn't suggest handing him a grilled cheese and a cup of milk for dinner with some blueberries). Although they might breeze through the stages (as I imagine this kiddo will), it is important that he learn to protect his airway when eating finger foods, self feed, learn to bite from a larger piece of food, move foods around in his mouth, etc.
Overall, if you as the mother (or caregiver) have a feeling that something isn't right, you are probably on the right track. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Play with your food!
This post is not only about foods and mealtimes, but about sensory exploration in general. It is so important that you allow your children to play with textures of all sorts. In this day in age, everyone is so focused on germs and not allowing children to EXPLORE. I'm not suggesting that you allow your children to put "dirty" toys or outside materials in their mouths, however it is so important that you let them proceed with their natural developmental course to put objects, toys, dirt, etc in their mouths. This is how babies learn!
Everyday I see parents discouraging their children from putting sensory toys (rattles with textures, teething rings, stuffed animals, etc) in their mouths, but it is so important that they learn to experience those textures and desensitize their mouths and oral cavities.
When you are first introducing purees, put a teaspoon on your little one's highchair tray and let him/her touch it, play with it, run their fingers through it. If you are concerned about the mess, strip them down and let them explore in their diapers. Most highchairs are very easy to clean these days and a teaspoon can only go so far!
As you start to introduce foods with more texture (the really exciting and messy foods :) Let your little one's push their fingers through it until it bursts (ie: grapes). Foods that appear different on the outside vs the inside are SO INTERESTING to children, let them figure it out, this way they will be so much more inclined to put it in their mouths and taste it.
This brings me to the flying yogurt on a spoon. Yes, every child learns to dip the yogurt/puree and then flings the spoon to watch it fly across the room, or right into mommy's face. The more you negatively react to this, the more exciting it is for your child, so just calmly remove the spoon from their hands, or redirect the activity. Do not make a big deal or a disgusted face, this will just perpetuate and add fuel to their fire.
Just remember, kids like to explore, it makes mealtime (something that is not always fun) a little more exciting and interesting... just try it!
Everyday I see parents discouraging their children from putting sensory toys (rattles with textures, teething rings, stuffed animals, etc) in their mouths, but it is so important that they learn to experience those textures and desensitize their mouths and oral cavities.
When you are first introducing purees, put a teaspoon on your little one's highchair tray and let him/her touch it, play with it, run their fingers through it. If you are concerned about the mess, strip them down and let them explore in their diapers. Most highchairs are very easy to clean these days and a teaspoon can only go so far!
As you start to introduce foods with more texture (the really exciting and messy foods :) Let your little one's push their fingers through it until it bursts (ie: grapes). Foods that appear different on the outside vs the inside are SO INTERESTING to children, let them figure it out, this way they will be so much more inclined to put it in their mouths and taste it.
This brings me to the flying yogurt on a spoon. Yes, every child learns to dip the yogurt/puree and then flings the spoon to watch it fly across the room, or right into mommy's face. The more you negatively react to this, the more exciting it is for your child, so just calmly remove the spoon from their hands, or redirect the activity. Do not make a big deal or a disgusted face, this will just perpetuate and add fuel to their fire.
Just remember, kids like to explore, it makes mealtime (something that is not always fun) a little more exciting and interesting... just try it!
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