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 :)
Hi, would you be willing to give me advice? My son is almost 13 months old, and he won't chew. Developmentally, he's doing great otherwise, but he just won't chew or take solid food. He eats mum mum crackers, puffs, cheerios, dried yogurt bites, and ginger root cookies..but it seems like he just lets them dissolve in his mouth then swallows, rather than chewing. If I give him a ginger root cookie, he puts the entire thing in his mouth and waits for it to dissolve. If I give him chunks of food that has a wet texture, he touches it, gets upset, and won't pick it up (like chunks of fruit, cheese, pasta, etc.) If I give him any 3rd stage purees that have chunks in it, he will immediately stick his tongue out and spit it out, and get upset. Are there any techniques to help him overcome this aversion to chewing and solid food?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! It is very difficult to give specific advice because I have not seen your child eat or be offered non-preferred foods, however it sounds like he has significant feeding aversion and is developmentally delayed with regards to feeding and swallowing. I would recommend seeking occupational therapy for a feeding and oral motor evaluation - depending on what state you live in, you have to make sure that the therapist is certified in feeding and swallowing. My best advice would be to "chain" the foods he is already eating. Change them by one property (shape, flavor, color). Also, instead of offering Stage III purees, I would try mashing the food you are eating and give that to him (one solid texture as oppose to two mixed together is easier). Children learn to chew from demonstration and the foods he is currently eating do not promote chewing, offer firmer crackers (ie: goldfish, Ritz, Saltines, Club, etc) and show him how to take a bite and chew- in an exaggerated way. During play time (ie: not in the highchair), do some sensory play with him (shaving cream, finger paint, playdoh, etc) - it sounds like he doesn't like his hands messy and the first method of exploring foods is through a child's hands, so if he will not touch it, he is not going to eat it.
ReplyDeleteIf you try this for a few weeks and no changes are made, I would seek advice from an OT sooner rather than later, because as he gets older it is going to be more difficult for him to change his ways.