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 :)
Showing posts with label feeding issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feeding issues. Show all posts
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!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Gagging, pocketing, and spitting out foods...
If you are experiencing any of the following with your toddler or child, you need to read this post! Everyday, children come into my office that want to eat, but just can't figure it out, and unfortunately parents read their cues as "I do not like this food".
1. If your child is gagging on foods, especially if they are a new texture or flavor, it might not be that he/she does not like the food. When babies are born, their cheeks are lined with tastebuds. When we first introduce foods, they get a BLAST of flavor (even though we perceive purees to have no flavor) and they may shiver, make a "yuck" face, or gag. These are all signs that they are adapting to the flavors. Do not stop trying this food with your child.
If your toddler or preschooler is gagging on foods, it could be a hypersensitivity to texture, taste, or temperature. If you stay consistent as I mentioned in my previous posts, you will be able to desensitize your child's mouth to accept new and different textures and flavors.
2. If your child is pocketing foods you need to consider the following:
- Is the food you are offereing a complex texture? (ie: chicken, raw veggies, etc)
- Is the food you are offering in too big of a piece for your child to chew?
- Will your child eat other foods (chew and swallow them) while they are storing the other food in their cheeks?
These are all very different scenarios. The bottom line, if your child is pocketing foods, DO NOT let them sleep with these foods in, run around with the food in their cheeks, or get up from the table with the food in their cheeks, as it can be a safety hazard.
3. If your child is spitting out foods. More often than not it is a texture/taste dislike for the food. However, a small percentage of the time it is a significant oral motor issue. Take a look at your child, when the food goes into their mouth, are they trying to chew it? Do they repeatedly put the spit out food back in their mouth? If your child picks up a piece of food, puts it in his/her mouth, spits it out and keeps trying that same food, chances are he/she is having a difficult time understanding how to chew it and it may not be a dislike or "picky" eater situation.
As with all feeding difficulties, it is important to assess the mealtime and gather all the facts to determine if your child is giving you cues about why he/she is exhibiting these behaviors. When in doubt contact an occupational therapist!
1. If your child is gagging on foods, especially if they are a new texture or flavor, it might not be that he/she does not like the food. When babies are born, their cheeks are lined with tastebuds. When we first introduce foods, they get a BLAST of flavor (even though we perceive purees to have no flavor) and they may shiver, make a "yuck" face, or gag. These are all signs that they are adapting to the flavors. Do not stop trying this food with your child.
If your toddler or preschooler is gagging on foods, it could be a hypersensitivity to texture, taste, or temperature. If you stay consistent as I mentioned in my previous posts, you will be able to desensitize your child's mouth to accept new and different textures and flavors.
2. If your child is pocketing foods you need to consider the following:
- Is the food you are offereing a complex texture? (ie: chicken, raw veggies, etc)
- Is the food you are offering in too big of a piece for your child to chew?
- Will your child eat other foods (chew and swallow them) while they are storing the other food in their cheeks?
These are all very different scenarios. The bottom line, if your child is pocketing foods, DO NOT let them sleep with these foods in, run around with the food in their cheeks, or get up from the table with the food in their cheeks, as it can be a safety hazard.
3. If your child is spitting out foods. More often than not it is a texture/taste dislike for the food. However, a small percentage of the time it is a significant oral motor issue. Take a look at your child, when the food goes into their mouth, are they trying to chew it? Do they repeatedly put the spit out food back in their mouth? If your child picks up a piece of food, puts it in his/her mouth, spits it out and keeps trying that same food, chances are he/she is having a difficult time understanding how to chew it and it may not be a dislike or "picky" eater situation.
As with all feeding difficulties, it is important to assess the mealtime and gather all the facts to determine if your child is giving you cues about why he/she is exhibiting these behaviors. When in doubt contact an occupational therapist!
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