How do you stop a 2 year old from stuffing her mouth so full of food that she chokes?

Question

Her brothers and sisters have never stolen food from her, (in fact they like to give her theirs). She stuffs in as much as her mouth will hold and I can't get her to stop it, or at least take smaller bites. I have tried cutting her food up into small bites, but she just stuffs 2 or 3 in with the same result. I don't want to go back to spoon feeding because I feel that will set her back and spoil her instead of helping her. I have tried removing her food when she stuffs too much, and only returning it when she is finished with what she took, but she sulks and pouts and at times will refuse to chew and swallow what she has in her mouth. She hasn't had a serious choking problem yet, but she has coughed and gaged on too much food, and I don't want it to ever get to the level of full blown choking. Please, someone help. Only serious answers please, I'm not interested in joking about this issue.

Answer 1

She needs something to bite on . Give her one of those rubber things to bite . She is teething .
She just needs a big thing to bite

Answer 2

This is a very serious behaviour issue. First, I'd like to ask if you have tried only offering one or two bites at a time instead of taking food away when she stuffs her mouth. My second child would stuff his face, but only when there was enough food to do so. If you take food away from a child of course they'll be upset, but try only giving a bite at a time. Sometimes allowing them to run to you, get a bite like a "little birdie" and then coming back when it's gone (have her open her mouth like a birdie to show you it is empty) can be a game to transition to smaller mouthfuls. If this or similiar one-bite-at-a-time restrictions fail, I would strongly suggest getting help from a doctor, social worker or family counselor as this could be a behaviour that requires professional help (behaviour modification) and might be a sign of something else such as an autistic disorder or other psychological need. It sounds like you've been doing what you can on your own, and from my own experience I would encourage you to talk with heath professionals to get the help you need for your daughter to be safe and happy and for you to be sane.
Best of luck!

Answer 3

Well 1st of all it is normal for a child that age to hold food in there mouth just be patient and watch her and try to show her with her spoon how to get a little bit and chew. Now I know that is not going to train her over night but it's a start but most important keep an eye on her at all times while she is eating you also may try eating at the same time so she can see how it's done good luck

Answer 4

First, tell her brothers and sisters to NOT give her food. She should only be allowed the food that you give her. That will help. Then you need to give her small amounts at a time. This may be difficult for a while and annoying for you to have to watch her food so closely, but eventually she'll get it. Put a plate down w/ a piece of food on it and let her eat that one piece and then give her another. Tell her as you're doing this that she has to eat ONE peice at a time or she won't get any more. This will take a little training, but it's better then her choking.

Answer 5

I would only give her one bite at a time. If she pouts, then she pouts. Don't give her any more until she swallows. I do the exact same thing with my toddler. Sometimes he pouts or screams because I won't give him more than one peice at a time, but i just let him pout. Eventually they will get the message that we're not giving in on this issue. If it means her leaving the table without finishing, then so be it. She won't starve, if she gets hungry she'll do what your asking. You have to be clear with her what the rule is, and show her you're sticking to it. It just takes time and lots of patience. Hope that helps.

Answer 6

You should feed her yourself otherwise she will choke. I may that maybe hard for you to do but lets think about your daughter's health. You should find out why she is stuffing food in her mouth like she does. I don't think spoon feeding her will spoil her at all. You could portion her food out to her give her smaller amounts so that she wont choke cut her small pieces into smaller piece and make a game out of it her her with her brother and sister and you should definitely stop her brother and sister from giving her their food maybe this is why she is stuffing food in her mouth.

Answer 7

You will have to only put a few bites of food on her plate at a time. It's not like spoon feeding because she is still feeding herself but you have to keep putting the food on her plate. You will just have to do this until she is a little older and grows out of it or until she realizes what choking means and why she shouldn't do this.

Answer 8

Give her smaller portions every time. Instead of giving her a full meal on her plate, give her 2 spoons (her spoon, not yours) of each food, and when she eats that, give her 2 more, etc.

Don't remove food, just don't give it to her to begin with, and tell her when she eats what is on her plate, she can ask for more.

If she's still being difficult, sulking, gagging, etc, have her start eating in her high chair again, with you feeding her. That's enough to tick off any toddler.

Answer 9

Give her smaller portions. Wait until she eats that and give her more. My sister used to do that when she was younger, she would also have so much food in her mouth that she would chew it forever...put a few bites on her plate at a time.

Answer 10

Just give her one piece at a time. No matter what it is, and tell her when she CHEWS this bite and swallow it she can have some more. Be firm with her. Let her kick, scream, cry whatever just don't give her another bite until she CHEWS what she has in her mouth. It's all about chewing. Be firm!!

Best Wishes

Answer 11

Just give her 1 or 2 pieces at a time. My 18 month old does the same thing.