My 18 month old daughter rarely ever chews her food, she swallows it whole,I have to watch her eat because she starts to choke and cough.She has plenty of teeth and a few molars so I know she could chew good if she wanted to. I try to feed her things that dont need a lot of chewing and if swallowed whole it wont hurt her.Like macaroni and cheese and small banana chucks because they are soft. But I am worried she has something wrong with her,It is really starting to upset me....what do I do?
2006-12-26 09:05:46 · 15 answers · asked by ♥It's a boy♥ 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My stepson use to not chew his food either, I always just made it a big deal to teach him how. One way I did this is by sitting next to him and sing a little song while demonstrarting what I am doing. Once I taught him to chew then I aught him how to close his mouth while he chews. It was very quick to teach both, I want to say about a week. One of the things we did was scoop the bite into our mouths and I would show him (opened mouth) what I was doing while make a "mmmmm" sound. In between bites I would sing "this is the way we chew our food chew our food chew our food (then take a bite and chew mouth closed,swallow) this is the way we chew our food all dinner long. This tune has seemed to work well with a variety of things (this is the way we brush our teeth...etc etc) Also consult her doctor if you are really worried about her but I would at least try showing her how first.
2006-12-26 11:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by ADragonsGoddess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if she has some oral motor issues... Stuffing (overfilling) her mouth and swallowing food whole is an indicator of a sensory processing difficulty with the tactile and proprioceptive sensory systems. You can have her assessed by your local Regional Center since she is under 3 years old. Call your local school district to set up the assessment. They will evaluate your child's chewing abilities and other sensory issues that may be present, and recommend a plan of action to have her needs met, called an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan). The plan will be written down, and if the assessment shows that your child requires the assistance of an occupational therapist (who will be able to help with feeding issues), your child will receive funding through the Regional Center to attend therapy. In the meantime, you can help by giving your child deep pressure input. This means giving firm pressure massages on the arms and legs (which helps the body regulate sensory processing, and feeds some of the body's need for pressure.) You can also give firm pressure on the upper lip, between the bottom of the nose and the lip (in the little dip area). Press firm (not hard) with the first two fingers of your hand on the area for 5 seconds, a few times a day to give deep pressure to the upper teeth and provide input to the mouth. Ask your pediatrician about using these techniques before doing it, and follow up with a call to the Regional Center to have her evaluated.
2006-12-26 09:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Eat with her and show her how to chew. When she starts to cough and choke take the food away and tell her "NO, CHEW" and then give her just a little bit. If you are consistent about doing this she will learn. If you think that chewing is causing her pain you may need to see her doctor or a pediatric dentist to rule out any underlying causes.
2006-12-26 09:10:41 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My son used to do this until I invented this little game. When she takes a bite of something, you take a bite too, then over exaggerate your chewing and sing "Bite, Bite, chew, chew, bite, bite, chew, chew" over and over while dancing around a bit. It got his attention and he quickly joined in. Then after your sure the food is ready to be swallowed stop everthing abruptly and overexaggerate swallowing then say "mmm, mmm, mmm" while rubbing your tummy. Do it again and again until it becomes second nature for her to chew thoughrly. It only took my son about 5 meals of eating like this until he chewed well without the big production. Sometimes I have to remind him to "Bite, Bite, chew, chew" but usually he does good on his own now.
2006-12-26 11:38:30 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan's Ma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it sounds like she doesn't chew, cause she doesn't have too. Since she has teeth, give her things that require chewing. Not things that will get soft and dissolve, but require chewing. Meats, hard crackers. She will catch on. But kids aren't stupis, they are not going to try to do things if they don't have to. My son didnt' walk till he was 16 months...why? cause I carried him everywhere. Once I finally said no more, he finally started to walk. Give her time and a challenge.
Good luck and safe chewing.
2006-12-26 09:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by Jenni 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 17 months old and chews on everything. What I would suggest is maybe have her watch you eat and chew. Keep your mouth open so she can see what you are doing. You can work on the bad manners once she is older and understands more. But children love to do what mom and dad are doing so show her what you want her to do.
2006-12-26 09:08:27 · answer #6 · answered by mmsantiago3 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think you are doing exactly what you should do.
In addition, I think its dangerous to feed a toddler
unless you can be in the same room with her.
Has she had a bad choking episode, if you
don't know assume she has. Small helpings and
time should fix this problem.
2006-12-26 09:38:06 · answer #7 · answered by a 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried teaching her to chew? Show her how to chew her food and explain that she needs to chew her food!
2006-12-26 09:09:51 · answer #8 · answered by wish I were 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My niece does the same thing. (4) She has a panic disorder. I would suggest having your daughter looked at because that can be a sign of mental disorders such as the one my niece has. Good luck
2006-12-26 09:12:16 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs. Always Right 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There could be a sort of reasons...maybe her teeth hurt too much. I would def. bring this up w/ your pediatrician asap...good luck!
2006-12-26 09:15:01 · answer #10 · answered by M R 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋