My 3 1/2 yr. old daughter STILL can't eat solid food. According to her pediatrician, she's very healthy, and she's met or exceeded all other milestones. She tries to nibble everything we eat but as soon as the food gets past the middle of her mouth, she gags and either spits it out or throws up. I've tried everything, i.e., incoporating small pieces of food in her baby food, soaking cereal in milk until it's mushy, etc. But she only eat baby food and there is no end in sight. Help!
I add my voice to those suggesting you ask for a referral for an evaluation at a center for Swallowing Disorders---this is a relatively new specialty. The Rusk Institute at New York University Medial Center is excellent. Good luck.
Grandma C.
You should have her evaluated by feeding and swallowing clinic. There is a good one out of St Josephs hospital
Hi W. H, the texture of the food is not importan, however, the nutritional value is. If your daughter is eating mostly pureed fruit and veggetables, you are the luckiest woman alive. What an incredibly healthy diet. Now all you need to do is make everything from scratch and you are good to go. Lastly, you could try grinding a meat dish for her to eat occasionally. Please note that pasta and pizza are the worst foods in our diet and should be eaten sparingly-if at all. They lead to obesity (probably why Americans are over weight now) and diabetes because of their glycemic index. So from where I sit, you're one of the winners in terms of moms feeding their children nutritionally.
Keep up the great work!
T. Parker, Holistic Health Counselor
My Food Therapy
www.myfoodtherapy.com
Momma Don't Eat It
www.mommadonteatit.com
Have you had a specialist check her mouth and throat out? It sounds as if there is either a physical problem in the back of her mouth or a sensitivity issue (ie to the texture of the food) that is causing her problems.
Secondly, will she eat homemade baby purees? Toss some of your table food into the food processor/blender and see if she'll eat that. If not, then it's probably a flavor (not texture) issue.
Talk to your pediatrician about getting a referral to a specialist to check out her throat and teeth to make sure that's not the problem.
Hi W.. I would suggest you contact the team at NYU Swallowing Clinic. I've seen them work wonders with people.
http://rusk.med.nyu.edu/for-patients-families/options-car...
Or try to locate one closer to you in NJ.
Much luck to you
Please consult a speech pathologist who specializes in oral motor feeding. They can work with your child on desensitizing the mouth so she can tolerate solid foods. You may need a referral from your doctor. Strong Hospital is one source.
I feel your pain. I have a daughter with serious heart problems and eating is SOOOOO difficult. I don't know if you've had a swallow test done yet, but I would look into that. Also, now might be the time to introduce OT and perhaps a speech therapist through Early Intervention. Good luck. I also love the book called "How to Get you Kid to Eat...but Not Too Much."
Hi W.
I don't know if you can, but I can tell you to keep telling the MD til MD is tired of hearing from you. Then tell again.
I had a "picky eater", and just about the time I was sick of hearing that, I stop telling but there is an age and it is about the time they go to school that MD will do something. I stopped telling. There was no record. She was then diagnosed anorexic. What a mess!!
Don't do that, keep talking no matter what is said. After a month of hospitalization for anorexia, the MD saw her "gag" on her food, and said "how long has she been "vomiting", I said always, he said "gag reflux malfunction" and medicated. The biggest problem was over. So simply.
God bless you and give you wisdom
K. ---- SAHM married 38 years -- adult children -- 37,33, and twins 19.
Get a specialist involved. She could have an over active gag reflex or something else going on. My theory is there wouldn't be specialistsif every doctor knew everything so find someone that deals specifically with those type of issues. It can't hurt and may help! A.
Oh W., please push it!! Don't settle for less!! This is a serious thing, at that age, there is something wrong. Perhaps, some of oral or swallowing disorder, or perhaps the texture of the food or the texture in her mouth, anything feels odd in the mouth. Get her evaluated immediately. If it's a texture problem, you can get her evaluated by a therapist, I can't say she will get early intervention, because of her age, but she will get the evaluation by the same person who evaluates for early intervention. You tell the doctor that you want help. Please tell pediatrician that you want them to start giving you referrals. Please, Please start making appts to see therapists, seek early intervention, seek specialist that other moms have mentioned here on mamasource...gastro problems, etc. You tell the pediatrician you want help and you want it now before she ends up not wanting to eat at all. You don't want her to have a eating disorder because THEY won't listen. You are her advocate and you speak up for her. You're her voice. Please help her and SPEAK UP!! Let us know what happens....I'll be praying for you and her.
Personally I feel your doctor has been neglectful in allowing this to go on so long. I would try contacting an occupational therapist and/or switching pediatrians. You are her parent and know her the best. If you feel there is something wrong, don't stop until you get answers. good luck.
I would suggest calling your school district and requesting (in writing) a full evaluation of her oral-motor strength and sensory processing. As a preschool special ed chairperson, I can say that this may be very helpful. The language and occupational therapists may have some good insight and strategies.
Have you thought about seeing a specialist? She might have some sort of oral/swallowing disorder.
I would have her evaluated by a feeding team. It is a group of people of different specialties that watch a child eat to determine what they think the problem can be. Usually there is a speech therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, a physician, and one or two others disciplines at the session. They typically are able to determine what type of problem your daughter has and can offer a solution as well. Usually it will involve feeding therapy. I know that you can get an evaluation done at St Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, NJ or at Children's Specialized Hospital(they have multiple locations). I have a child who needed a lot of help in that area and they have been so fabulous(we used CSH). My little fellow struggled to drink a bottle and eat baby food off of a spoon and now he drinks from a cup with a straw and is eating almost anything and even starting to feed himself with a spoon. It usually takes a while to get an appointment but I think it is so worthwhile. I wish you all the best!
Have you asked the doctor if it could be a sensory feeding issue? This has to do with children who are extraordinarily sensitve to food textures. I am not a doctor but what you describe sounds very close. They might do an evaluation and send her to an occupational therapist. Here are some symptoms of this disorder:
Signs Of Oral Input Dysfunction:
1. Hypersensitivity To Oral Input (Oral Defensiveness):
__ picky eater, often with extreme food preferences; i.e., limited repertoire of foods, picky about brands, resistive to trying new foods or restaurants, and may not eat at other people's houses)
__ may only eat "soft" or pureed foods past 24 months of age
__ may gag with textured foods
__ has difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing; may choke or have a fear of choking
__ resists/refuses/extremely fearful of going to the dentist or having dental work done
__ may only eat hot or cold foods
__ refuses to lick envelopes, stamps, or stickers because of their taste
__ dislikes or complains about toothpaste and mouthwash
__ avoids seasoned, spicy, sweet, sour or salty foods; prefers bland foods
I hope this helps!
Hi There,
This sounds like an actual physical problem (as opposed to behavioral). The fact that she is over 3 and can't handle textures, despite trying, is not normal. I am an Occupatioanl Therapist who has worked with children who have feeding issues. Usually Speech Pathologists can evaluate children with feeding issues. Please get a second opinion, if your pediatrician is not willing to see the problem. The sooner you get help for this problem, the better off she will be.... She deserves to enjoy eating like the rest of us!
Have you been to a gastro dr. or a throat dr. something is going on... find out the problem.. and then you'll have the answer. get her to a specialist soon.. she can't eat babyfood in high school...?? so get her help now.. and good luck
