I came across this message board while doing research on excema for my 10 1/2 month old daughter. However, after looking at the support and advice...I thought I would throw a question out there. I can not get my daughter to put any food in her mouth (cheerios, etc.) She has 5 teeth and I feel like she should be chewing by now. She gags on pureed food. I have tried modeling and helping to put the food to her mouth so she can taste it. I have only had luck with her sucking on a few things. Any suggestions on how to get my daughter to eat??? Am I expecting too much? I am a first time Mom

By Melanie on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 09:19 pm:

Hmmmm, I would expect by that age she would have an interest and ability to eat more. Have you brought this up with her pediatrician? Is she growing and thriving normally? If her doctor isn't concerned at this point, I would simply continue modeling as you have been. I would also continue to attempt a variety of foods. I wish I had more ideas to offer you. Good luck!

By Machick on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 09:28 pm:

I should have mentioned that she weighs about 24 pounds. I can get her to eat pureed food, but she gags on it (not all of the time). I have no problems getting her to drink. My pediatrician said not to worry just keep introducing! Thanks though!

By Amecmom on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 11:22 pm:

Kids are ready for finger foods, or lunpier foods at different times. Some have a really strong gag reflex. My son is almost 2 1/2 and still prefers puree, unless of course I offer him french fries and chicken nuggets, then he has no problem biting and chewing ...

It's taken him quite a while though. I would keep introducing, and just watch and see. If by a year, you don't see any improvement, ask for a referral to have her evaluated by a speech pathologist, who will watch her eat.
Ame

By Pamt on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 11:36 pm:

I wouldn't wait another day...I would go to your ped. and request an order for an occupational therapy or speech therapy evaluation. I am a speech therapist and I work with pediatric pts. I have a couple of small kids with issues like your DD on my caseload. It seems to me like she has some sensory issues with regard to food. From experience I can say that it doesn't usually get any better without intervention. OTs and STs are both trained to work with feeding problems. OTs are a little more focused on the oral-sensory issues and STs are a bit more focused on the oral coordination and strength of chewing and swallowing, but either could help evaluate your child and help you develop a plan to increase the variety of oral intake. As babies get older they get even more resistant to try new things, so the time to jump on this is now.

In the meantime.... try putting different sensations in your DDs mouth. Will she tolerate an electric toothbrush being touched to her cheek, tongue, or gums? Can you stroke her cheek (inside and out), tongue, or gums with your finger or does she tense up, gag, or turn away? Will she lick pureed food (pudding?) off her lips or does she even gag with that? Will she tolerate formula or breast milk thickened with rice cereal? Does she breast or bottle feed? You can also try buying the Nuk infant oral stim brushes (http://www.beyondplay.com/ITEMS/T485.HTM). You can usually find them at baby supply stores like "Babies R Us." Take these and try tapping, rubbing, stroking them in her mouth to build up tolerance of different oral sensations.

Those are some things to try in the meantime, but I would strongly suggest going ahead and having her evaluated so you can get a jump start on this. It is much more difficult to get a 2 y/o to decrease oral tactile defensiveness than a 10 month old. Good luck!!

By Emily7 on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 11:52 am:

I agree with Pam, my ds had a major problem with eating. Some of it because of his Gerd & a lot of it because he had a feeding tube that hindered his eating for the first month of his life. Therapists helped us & at 2 years old he has finally made it to 26 pounds! I spent hundreds on bottle & nipples only to have use a preemie nipple until 7 months old.