I have been offering her small pieces of foods but she wont chew them, she simply swallows it. I am really trying hard to make her chew food, but she is not at all cooperating. I checked with the child's pediatrician and all she says is to keep offerieng her solids.
Are there any moms out there having such a kid? Or have you heard of such a issue with a 2 and half year old. Is this a something to worry about ?
Please advise.
Other than this issue she is a above average kid both in physical and mental deveopment.
2006-07-31 08:35:02 · 24 answers · asked by angelina25 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Your doctor's right. Just keep giving it to her. At this age, food is the number one thing that kids will battle for control over.
She's playing a game with you. She doesn't really care about her food being mashed, but she likes to argue with you about it and she likes how you plead and beg, and how you freak out when she swallows things whole because you're convinced she's going to choke... right? That's exactly what you do, isn't it?
Cut the food into reasonable size portions and give it to her on her plate. Don't say another word about it. If she eats it, praise her, if she doesn't, ignore it and let her go hungry. DON'T offer her anything else to eat, and don't offer to do anything else to the food you gave her. When she really is hungry enough, and when she realizes mommy isn't playing anymore, she'll eat the food.
Your daughter is totally normal. It's your response, and that alone, which is creating this situation.
2006-07-31 20:06:23 · answer #1 · answered by smurfette 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take her to the dentist. This might be an indication that her teeth hurt and she may not want to chew.
If everything checks out, take her to the pediatrician. She may have swollen tonsils that affect how well she can swallow. If so, they can remove the tonsils and possibly the adenoids. There might also be an issue with the intestines and her stomach may hurt when trying to eat food that isn't broken down enough.
Most two year olds have difficulty explaining what they are experiencing.
If neither prove to be a problem, then give her the food the way it is and she will eat when she gets hungry. But I would error on the side of compassion. Make sure there isn't a bigger problem than just not wanting to eat things because they aren't mashed up.
2006-07-31 08:43:07 · answer #2 · answered by Chuck B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had that problem with 7 year old. But I don't think he was as old as your child though. My pediatrician told me a about this little mesh thing that you put fruit and food in. I am sorry I can't think of the name of it. Check Babies R Us or another baby store. But it teach them to chew. But also I would just keep try to offer it to him and try not to give in if you can. I started my youngest earlier on solid foods I didn't want to have that problem and it work thank God =) good luck
2006-07-31 08:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by Jade 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work at a preschool for children with disabilities, and by your child's age, she should be eating unmashed foods. It may be something called sensory integration dysfunction. We have several children in our center with problems eating such as you are describing. Your child may not like the texture of solid foods and may be avoiding it. I suggest having her evaluated by an occupational therapist through the school district in your area. Just call them and ask for your child to be evaluated and mention your concerns. In the meantime, you can look up information on Sensory Integration Dysfunction with a great book titled, The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz. It details information about the different types of sensory delays as well as giving you ideas to help your child. Good luck!
2006-07-31 09:59:42 · answer #4 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"If You Want Something Done, Look At The Ends Of Your Sleeves"
Use that saying on your daughter. If she wants her food mashed then, she has to do it herself. Your not a maid, your a mother, you won't be around forever so if she always wants her food mashed, she has to learn. Since she's two and a half, start giving her small responsibilites. Chop up her solids, not mash but just chop. She might like it. Give her foods she enjoys, then start implemiting veggies. Good-Luck
2006-08-02 08:23:29 · answer #5 · answered by txagl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she could have oral aversion of some sort, b/c by this age, she should definitely being chewing food. I would seek help from an Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist. Contact your Early Intervention office for the evaluation. It is free, and if your daughter qualifies for therapy, that is free as well. It sounds like she might have weak jaw muscles or a swallow problem too. I hope that you find answers, and I urge you to seek therapy for her. GOOD LUCK!
2006-07-31 12:33:02 · answer #6 · answered by Marie K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would first take her to a dentist to make sure she is not having any problems with her teeth, gums, tongue, etc. If there are no problems, mabe make some fun out of eating. Give her a banana and have one with her. Take a bite and make monkey faces while chewing and see if she can mimic you or make a silly face too! Or make some homemade chocolate chip cookies and save some of the morsels and make a face out of them. Eat the eyes off of the face! (You can do this too with cucumbers or apple slices if you perfer not to give her sweets. Find something fun that works for her and be creative.
2006-07-31 08:47:58 · answer #7 · answered by rodam r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there may be something wrong with her gums, teeth(maybe sore from teething),or even her thought so ide advise on going to a Doctor. if nothings medically wrong then dont give her the mashed food. just sit her down at the table when shes hungry and set some semi-solid food it front of her until she eats it....shell have to if shes truly hungry. then progress to harder foods once shes used to the last.
2006-07-31 09:02:35 · answer #8 · answered by katie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
POWER STRUGGLE. Don't let her win, if she is hungry enough she will do it. She is more then old enough to do it herself. Give her softer things, then work up to things she has to chew. If you give her no other options she will finally give in. She is testing you and you are in fear I am sure of her starving, which she won't. Some kids are accustom to a texture and don't like change, however she needs to just do it. Try those Gerber meat sticks, sort of soft and mushy, work up from there, but don't cave....you are the mom and she is just testing you.
2006-07-31 14:05:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut a banana into smaller pieces (slices and even you can cut those in thirds like a wedge that she WILL chew), eventually giving her bigger and bigger until she eats them by chewing.
In other words, wean off of mashed foods onto whole foods.
2006-07-31 08:58:01 · answer #10 · answered by Brian S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋