Son will not chew.

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Son will not chew.

by Zane
(Australia)

My 3 year old son will not chew his food at all and therefore can only eat semi or pureed food. He can be a very difficult and demanding child but also very loving, caring and helpful. He seems to be very intelligent and learns very quickly but chooses to deliberately give the wrong answers to questions. He was a late talker but seems to be on par with other children his age now.His doctor says he has "behavioural issues" because he can certainly be "naughty" when he chooses to be.

The chewing really worries me because every occupational,speech and health specialist we have seen look at us blankly or with disbelief when we explain his chewing problem. He had severe reflux from birth and would violently bring up almost everything he ate. This problem has largely been controlled with medication. He was diagnosed at 10 months with hypermelanosis of ito which has now been ruled out and with autism at 2years old which has also now been ruled out. These incorrect diagnosis' have caused us endless sleepless nights and anxiety.

Are there any professionals out there who are not quick to put a label on a child and actually study all aspects of the child before making hasty life changing diagnosis'. He displays some of the symptoms of SPD but I can not find any help topics on his chewing problem. Any suggestions on who can or how I can help him with his chewing?

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Son will not chew.

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Jan 13, 2012
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PLEASE HELP WORRIED SINGLE MOM
by: Anonymous

i am a single mother of 2 kids. my 1yr old son is not chewing his food. he inhales it and leaves it in his mouth to moisten it but just swallows it without chewing and then he throws it up not long afterwards. can anyone give me an idea of what i should do or anything at this point will be greatly appreciated

Dec 17, 2011
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to the annonymous indian
by: Anonymous

i liked your mail it made me feel better.my son also three has not started to chew yet.i am being scolded by my family ,inlaws relatives and almost everyone saying its your fault.u started smashed foods thats why. but its the other way round. if he doesn't chew i cant let him go hungry so i blend it for him.but i am worried because he has started play school and i cant send him anything to eat not even biscuits since he wont chew.am worried what will happen when he starts school because.in my place where i live the school timings are from morning to evening cant bear him to be hungry all day. i need help.please please help. i have seen some sites and comments also. is not chewing related to a speech therapist? my son cant say f and d .the word therapist scares me . help help help. and thanks dear anonymous for the support.

Dec 14, 2011
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Finger food
by: Anonymous

Hi All,

My daughter is 4 years and 2 months. Feeding issues will not tolerate finger foods on purred foods.

She was a failure to thrive on NG tube for at least one year and a half.
What We have achieved thus far -
She is on pedicure with poly-joule for her milk
She would only eat yoghurt and Rafferys Gardens pumpkin, sweetcorn and apple I started putting in 1 tsp of homemade lentil/vegetable and increased this over time to the extend that she now has many different homemade dishes all pureed.
We do finger food three times a day with foods that are disolverable. It's all a game. I say things like everybody licking just like me getting her to lick the foods and then we do everybody crunching just like me. I've recorded her doing this and I show her this so she can she that it is all ok. I also show her how to crunch with a mirror. After 10 minutes I then reward her with giving her the IPad and she
then play games. Happy to let you know anymore of the above and will keep you posted on how she is going. I have seen a Hugh improvement with her and it's only been a few weeks.

Nov 28, 2011
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My son is almost 3 and doesn't chew!
by: Anonymous

My son turns 3 in two months. He still doesn't chew solid foods. He does eat soft foods well.

Any help please. Like every other parents, things worry us!

Nov 17, 2011
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update
by: helen

since my last posting about my son who is 3 not chewing he has been discharged from occupational therapy and has another speech therapist for the eating who says he just gets bored of eating and have been told to put a crisp in his bite line to see if that will encourage him, i dont know how many of you mums have tried this but he wont let me anywhere near his mouth with a crisp. i know theres no miracle cure but theres got to be an easier way to encourage him to chew. any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Nov 17, 2011
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re facebook page
by: shelen

i have looked on facebook for your page but cannot find it. could you please post the title of the page please thankyou.

Nov 16, 2011
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Girls will not chew
by: Nikki

My twin girls were breastfed so I think young age feeding has nothing to do with them not chewing. I have been seen drs. as well to figure out why and not getting anywhere. My girls will be 3 in Jan but after many trying I can c that they are now trying to take food and chew them, it's not happening everyday but things are slowing moving to CHEW, with this I am also teaching them to swallow once they have chewed it as that's another thing they don't know, as they used to spit it out when given solids before.

I am hoping that it's just a teething issue as they didn't have their back teeth until recently they have started to come through, BUT that's what makes me move forward thinking it may or might change soon.

I offer them lollypops whenever I can as I don't know when they might just start chewing on them.

So mums lets keep on working hard and if there is a answer pls do share.

Nov 16, 2011
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my 4 yr old
by: Zaleena Hansen

victoria, what is the FB address ... page name for that you set up?

would love to get involve or meet anyone for us to talk about this sadness we have to go through daily.

Please feel free to contact me anytime ..
ZallyM@aol.com

Nov 16, 2011
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my 4 yr old
by: Zaleena Hansen

I would love to get more involve in this situation, cause my 4 yr old will not chew, eat on her own,or even say she is hungry, so far she is a normal child. I don't know who to contact or what to do about this, all the drs. r saying, her health and behavior is normal.
please feel free to contact me at
ZallyM@aol.com

Any comment or input will go a long way.

Nov 16, 2011
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2 1/2 year old can not chew
by: Viktoria

Hello,First and most importantly i have to say that my son was on Formula since birth! I want to know if kids with the same problem were ever breastfed at all! Second, my son was not introduced to solids until after age one . We used to put solids in front of him because the pediatrician said thats what we have to do and eventually he will pick it up and eat it. It never happened so around age one we started feeding him baby food solids.

My 2 . 5 year old son can not chew food. will only eat food mashed and i have to put applesauce on top of the spoon or some other kind of baby stage 2 food so he will swallow it. If i only give him regular food he will spit it out and if it goes s down the throat he ll gag or it will come up eventually. He refuses to self feed himself. The only thing he ate by himself so far was yoghurt. He has no problem drinking from cup or straw, but still insists on baby bottle for night time milk.

He was evaluated by Easter Seals when he was 2 and they said he has gag reflex. We have been seeing a speech occupational therapist for the past 6 months, she comes 1 / week . She said there is no need to come more often since i have to push the textures on his food so he will get use d to them and that s the way to do it.

I started a page on Facebook for Toddler Not Chewing, but no one has contacted yet. Please feel free to join on Facebook and write your everyday comments, concerns, etc. it will help us !

Oct 02, 2011
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My 4 ys old will not chew
by: Zaleena Hansen

I had wrote a long time ago about my four year old daughter will not chew,will not eat on her own and will not eat anything unless it is pureed, but no one responds, kind a surprise knowing other parents are going through the same feelings with their child.

I did put my name and email address for anyone to communicate with me so we can share the same experience, but guess it doesn't look like anyone cares to respond.
why have a blog/comments if no one is finding the time to discuss?
I am putting my information because I truly need someone to read my daughter issue and contact me so I can get some help/motivation.
Willing to work with anyone who is willing to help, very serious.
kind a disappointed no one is getting involve.

yours truly Zaleena Hansen
ZallyM@aol.com

Oct 02, 2011
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Just kep trying...
by: supermom

My little boy is 3 years old. We've also been struggling since he turned one. He also suffers form speech dyspraxia.I've started a blog http://supermom-curtis.blogspot.com with some food tips. Our dietician has him on Pedisure to add some weight. She advised that when you offer anything new try and keep two of these properties the same colour, texture and taste.It's a very slow and winding road just praise your child and yourself for every little victory.

Sep 06, 2011
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Have you thought of.......
by: Anonymous

My son was in a very similar place few yrs ago, he will sit with the food in his mouth and when force him to eat he would spite out. Then one day at the dentist they told us that he had tongue tie, this meant that he won't chew food like others and also will be delayed in talking n will have some funny words, when talking. WE saw a specialist and had the tongue tie procedure done and now he is eating, talking with no problems. Hope this might help some of you.

Sep 06, 2011
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eating problem
by: Zaleena Hansen

my daughter will be 4 in Oct and still doesn't eat any solid, chew or bite on anything.
All she eats is puree food 3 times daily, yogert,
water.
I wish someone can call me or help me though this.
So feeling desperate at times
My e mail ZallyM@aol.com

Sep 06, 2011
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my 3 year old son wont chew and doesnt talk
by: Anonymous

he cant speak many words and if food is too lumpy he will spit it straight back out. it's a relief to know im not alone. i cry myself to sleep at night wondering what ive done wrong. he has a speech therapist and has occupational therapy but it doesnt seem to change much and he has bad tantrums which i put down to his frustration at not being able to talk.

Aug 27, 2011
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My Grandson refuse to chew
by: Anonymous

My Grandson is going to be 4 soon and he refused to chew. He keep on saying that he is trying, but he can. We give him solids, he putted them in his mouth, spit it out saying "I can't do it"
Any advise.

Aug 26, 2011
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2 yr old grandson does not eat solid food
by: Anonymous

Need advice, my grandson 21 mos does not eat solid foods, he gags and throws up, he is normal in every other way, and his speech is excellent for his age group. He like pancakes and bread, but will spit it out if too dry so we make sure he has liquids with this food group. He eats very little at meal time, less than 4 ounces his mother is VietNamese and she feeds him rice soup with pureed vegetables and meat three times a day. We tried to introduce mashed potatoes, and very soft cooked veg and he gags and pukes them up. He is underweight for his age group by 7% and we are afraid the CPS will investigate. He is still on the bottle which his mother gives him at nap time and at bedtime, he can drink from a cup but they prefer a straw. He loves chocolate milk and all sweets.

What is most confusing is that he eats cherries, nectarines, bananas, grapes, and watermelon if cut super small. If anyone has any suggestion please email me at kathyshpprd@yahoo.com My son and the rest of the American family are getting frustrated. Many thank yous in advance

Aug 03, 2011
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my 4 yr old will not chew
by: Anonymous

My 4 yr old daughter will not chew, from birth she has been behaving very strange, by not wanting anything to eat ... she always vomit. As of now I am still feeding her puree with syringe. I have to feed her all day like that, she will never tell me she is hungry, she will never say she like or want something to eat, she kind a blank with this eating situation. I took her to her Dr, nothing is wrong, medically, she talks plays and interacts very nice, with no complain.
Can anyone help me my e mail is ZallyM@aol.com, please help .....

Jul 18, 2011
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no physiological probs yet he doesnt chew
by: Anonymous Indian

My son is three plus and doesn't chew solids either. I have tried all sorts of tricks to make him eat something solid, all he eats is pureed food. He has had all sorts of tests done, including ones for reflux and all have turned out to be negative. He is able to speak and articulate well, loves mixing up with all sorts of kids, plays with them, creates mayhem etc.

I have been to a therapist and she has suggested some things like using different textured stuff like cotton , even clean fingers etc inside the mouth >>in circular motions in inner cheeks, back and forth on the tongue and on inside area of his lips. She also suggested the same for the outer cheeks and over and above both upper n lower lips. I have been asked to do this for two months,almost two times a day.
This probably is to get him to accept different textures. Am awaiting the day he will chew on his first solids. There may be hope yet. I would suggest trying out these exercises to begin with and also try feeding them soft solids ( which he refuses or pukes on )without giving up; my whole house n furniture have spots of puke on them.

I have endured ridicule, and all sorts of comments from people. I am not bothered. Every child is different. this happens to be his only milestone he seems to have faltered on. Maybe in time it will be ok, till that time I cant let my child go hungry. In fact a couple of ppl have also suggested that I should not feed him for a couple of days,, I could ask them > would they do that with their own child?? Be brave,,we are mothers.

Apr 18, 2011
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will not chew
by: Anonymous

I have just over 2 yrs old twins n they won't chew any solid food either, but I make all sorts of food at home n blend them puree to feed them. I am sorry but very surprise to see how many mums are still buying stage 3 baby food for their toddlers age 2 n 3 or plus. What happened to the yummy homemade food....... just blend them.

Apr 18, 2011
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SON ALSO WOULDN'T CHEW
by: Anonymous

I was buying Stage 3 baby food for my son until he was a little over 3 yrs old. I finally found a speech therapist who worked so well with him, and 3 months into his therapy, he was biting on candy canes and CHEWING them. Before that had happened, I gave him a small piece of sugarless bubblegum and he practiced chewing it on his molars. He also had been a child who would lick foods, not chew using his molars. There IS hope...now at 4 yrs old, he eats anything and everything.

Apr 06, 2011
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3 yr old- texture aversions
by: Anonymous

My son is about to turn 3 and his speech is great, he can say most any words that myself and his father say, but his eating has not progressed since he was a baby. He will lick everything, but chew nothing. He is surviving on toddler yogurt, baby oatmeal and vitamin drops. Just today I tried to put 2 pieces of shredded cheese in with his yogurt and he freaked out and wouldn't chew it, almost threw up, then finally swallowed it. Can anyone on here tell me anything positive...maybe a child progressing from this? I keep seeing people with the same problem, but not many answers or stories where your child grew out of it or got successful help with it?...need advice.
thanks!!

Mar 13, 2011
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son will not eat anythang
by: Anonymous

My son stopped eating last year of 2010 12/31/2010 but before that he was eating great. Now i cant get him to eat anything at all. When he asks for something, he just licks on it but he will not eat it. It has been two months since he has ate. We still going back and forth from the doctors office trying to get my son help.

Mar 01, 2011
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2Year Old Daughter not eating
by: Anonymous

I have a 2 year old daughter and she will not eat ANY solid food. She eats stage 3 baby food, applesauce, yogurt, and gerber oatmeal. She will drink anything we put in her cup. I've tried mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, homemade noodles, and she will not touch them! She will not even eat the gerber yogurt puffs or veggie puffs. She says a hand-full of words, but that is about it. She crawled and walked a little later than normal, does she have a developmental issue? Our pediatrician does not offer much information.

Feb 06, 2011
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Girls gag and puke with solid food
by: Nikki

Hey, I have twin girls who have just turn 2. They gag and sometimes pukes whenever I give them solid foods. Since introducing baby food they have been eating pureed food, now I make their food n blend everything into puree and feed them. At times I leave it lumpy but they gag straight away n take it out. they don't even like chips or any finger food, they suck the taste out n give it back. They speech is very good, eating is very good (pureed food) but the only concern is not wanting to eat normal solid food.

My girls have (CF)cystic Fibrosis so keeping their food intake is very important so I don't have a problem doing these blending but when will they learn to chew for themself.

Please feel free to reply, thanks

Feb 02, 2011
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Two 1/2 year old dd not chewing at all
by: Anonymous

Oh my goodness, I am so relieved to see that I am not the only one struggling with this problem. My two 1/2 yr old dd has met most of her milestones late. I couldn't get her to eat stage 1 baby food til she was seven months. As a baby, she never really put toys or anything in her mouth, which I thought was unusual. Now, I have been struggling with teaching her to chew solid foods, while combating with my husband and mother-in-law on this matter. I am tired of having to mash all of her food up because of this problem. Her speech is pretty well, doesn't seem to have trouble with pronunciation or anything. None of her pediatricians (we've moved several times in the last year) have mentioned autism as a problem. Her former occupational therapist said she is a little behind socially tho. She said to try desensitizing her mouth using a toothbrush by placing it in various areas in her mouth, but she won't allow this, she closes her mouth up tight or runs away. Most times I find myself anymore being inconsistent with my teaching her on this, instead giving in and going back to just mashing her food up so she will eat. I've tried sometimes just forcing her to eat solid, unmashed food, but it always backfires, resulting in her barely eating anything throughout the day. My husband doesn't want to use any more outside therapy, he says I need to just be more consistent in teaching her myself. He's probably right, however I am quickly running out of ideas. Also tired of fighting He and his mother on this. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Jan 26, 2011
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my 4 year old still is not eating solid foods:(
by: Anonymous

wow im kind of surprised to see all these other people have the problem of their children not chewing solids, i thought i was the only one! My son is 4 with down syndrome, he does not talk or communicate much so that makes things harder to explain. I too have talked to doctors and had tests done on his throat every thing was fine. He does not gag but he will try to swallow things whole. Hes pretty sensitive with not letting textures (solid) in his mouth. he hates his teeth brushed or the z vibes they've tried on him to desensitize him and get him to chew on. Any advise? I dont understand how to make him move his food with his tongue to his teeth and chew. also any advise for getting him to talk? he says mama hi and ooh aah for like a year so he CAN talk i think but he wont move on from there.im trying to introduce signing but he doesn't pay attention to it.:( help?

Dec 19, 2010
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3 year old did not learn to chew and swallow with out gaging.
by: Anonymous

My son will be 4 Feb.1.Reflux,stomach or throat problems have been checked.He did not really begin talking until a few months ago.they call it dev.delay.He takes speech and occupational therapy and is doing wonderful,but he will not eat anything with texture.He wants to try things but is afraid to go thru with it.He was a little late on some of the milestones but has always met them.somewhere along the way it seems his brain skipped the step of chewing.All he will eat is pudding,stage 1 meats,and sometimes jar baby fruit and sweet potatoes,3rdstage baby food.He does drink alot of milk but it can give him trouble.yoo hoo,tea,dr.pepper are all he will drink alot of.How do I help him learn to to not be afraid and teach to chew and swallow?

Dec 10, 2010
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Son with DS age 7 does not chew
by: Anonymous

My son is 7 years old and has Down Syndrome. My son does not know how to chew and does not take any solids. My son has also skipped the baby stage of mouthing toys. About 2 years ago he started to suck on popcycles, this was a major break through because he learned that when a piece broke off it would melt and he would try to chew. We are at a standstill, no progress since then. We have had a revolving door of OTs - not one of them has helped us. We were lead down so many paths that just wasted time. Is there any success stories out there?

Oct 13, 2010
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My Two year old doesn't chew.
by: Anonymous

Same as all the other moms concern that, he'd hopefully start chewing. He loves his milk in a bottle, loves soft foods, like custard and Pap(Corn prepared cereal)things he doesnt have to chew. HE never picked up stuff to put in his mouth from the floor as a baby. If he's upset and he wants to express his displeasure, he throws up(sorry a bit graphic). I hope he'll grow out of it as he's in preschool and he's driving he's caregivers nuts as well as Mummy.
I love him dearly and i think forcing him to eat never goes as planned, we just end up changing clothes.

Aug 12, 2010
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Not Chewing his food related to later speech problems
by: Anonymous

Please please understand that not chewing food and speech problems can be related so if you notice your kid also slurs or in articulates or mumbles when he's 6 or 7 that he might have also had earlier 'feeding' problems. My son is now 24 and believe it or not I'm just now figuring out what the deal was. He still does not properly chew/masticate his foods, inhales and eats very quickly. He also has speech and oral vocal issues though his verbal IQ is very high. He works in a field where he has to do a lot of talking. His boss has gotten annoyed with him for the way he sometime speaks (using scripts over the phone) and wants him to slow down. Also, whenever I'm on the phone with him I have to constantly ask him to repeat what he's saying.

When he was younger, I told the doctors that he didn't chew his food and was met with suspicion of being a over protective mother. He also had digestive stomach problems which IMO had everything to do with NOT chewing his food up. I wish I knew now what I didn't know then which was that he needed more individual assessment for speech problems that started as an oral feeding issue.

There's a term called Dsyphagia that has to do with articulation and oral skills. I'm also noticing that most of the children with these kinds of problems are BOYS. I wonder if statistically this is true? My son also ended up having some pretty severe behavioral problems but I feel largely responsible because so much between us became a power struggle that his defenses rose too quickly when I tried to get him to do something correctly. It was like I was flying in the dark and had no understanding of what I was dealing with.

Today he is doing pretty well and we are working some of the 'old baggage' out but I've yet to bring up the speech/chewing thing to him for fear of triggering sensitivities. Just know none of you are crazy. I would absolutely suggest sticking with a speech therapist/occupational therapist that is intuned with your childs overall personality and abilities. Also understand that just because you dont see progress right away doesn't mean in 2 years you wont...so keep at it.

Jul 19, 2010
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my two yr old does not know how to chew
by: angelina

my son is a very small boy only weight 21 pounds. he has been diagnosed with autism in june 2010.I am glad to hear my son isn't the only one who eats solid foods people think im not doing my job as a parent right but who are we to force are children to eat. this been a slow process but im hoping he will get better at eating. on a daily basis he prefers to drink milk rather than eat. he only eats yogurt applesauce some oatmeal to help him gain calories a nutritionist suggests mash avocados with his yogurt give him mashed boiled eggs with mayo. So far no changes.

Jun 10, 2010
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my three year old does not chew.
by: Anonymous

My three year old son also has the same problem. He does not chew the food. He often runs here and there and bites anything that comes his way. He does not sit stable at a time. We had taken him for occupational and speech therapy three four times. But I dont think it will help so i stopped it. He is very thin and a slow weight gainer. He also has short attention span. Can anybody help me to find out what is his actual problem.

Jun 08, 2010
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I can offer hope
by: Anonymous

Hello,

My 3 year old is the same. Has been on pureed or mashed food since he was a baby. Eats a good quantity but can never handle a morsel of rice or anything else. He seems to have developed an aversion to most food item. Recently (within the last 6 months) he has started to snack on some chips and cookies. He would nibble or gnaw before swallowing.

We have never consulted a doctor because his cousin of 9 years used to be just like this and by the time he was 5 he had learned to overcome this difficulty. He would still be picky about certain foods but had improved a great deal. We are going to sit it out !!

Hope this helps !

Apr 26, 2010
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chewing problem
by: Anonymous

Hello i have the same problem with my son. It seems like nothing id helping. He is on Pepcid. Speech therapist. We do a lot of oral stimulation like Zvib, NUK brush. But he is not progressing.A ny suggestions. Please help.

Mar 11, 2010
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$ yr old can't chew
by: Anonymous

I have a three year old son who will be turning four in May. He is unable to chew and eats only pureed foods. He has had tonsillitis a few times which caused vomiting, which I think, coupled with his sensory issues has led to this problem. He hates eating ... he gags and sometimes vomits. Progress is REALLY slow --- initially, we had to DESEED and mash bananas. He has been to on occupational therapist, but it didn't seem to be worth the upheaval as i didn't see any progress. We have had one session with a speech therapist who has instructed us to use a feeding teether to try to teach him to chew.

If I knew that he'd outgrow this, i'd feel better. My concern is that his affecting our choice of school, and most likely his participation at school. He is NOT being naughty; he really tries but struggles. I feel for him .... and I also "lose it
" despite trying not to. Someone, please give me hope!

Oct 23, 2009
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Won't eat solids
by: Anonymous

My son developed severe reflux at 6 months. Vomited constantly. Refused the bottle. By the time he was given medication he already refused to eat. Had an NG tube for 2 months before I found a Pediatric Feeding Disorder Specialist. Dr. Meeta Patel was an angel from god. She came to our home and "fixed" him in 3 days. (Ok... more to the story). When he was moved from the bottle to purees he did great. But when solids were introduces he did horrible. Dr Patel came out again and she said he did not know how to chew and move the food around with his tongue so she taught him and again she "fixed" him. My son also has Mixed Receptive Expressive Language Disorder and was a micro preemie at birth. There is hope. You can read about Dr. Patel at www.Klinic4kidz.com

Mayra....Mishel's mom

Sep 24, 2009
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Grandson does not chew
by: Anonymous

You have described my grandson to the tee. he is 3yr old and does not chew either, he began his gaggin an vomiting with food at age12 mos an has limited diet, of sausage, chicken nuggets and choc milk chips on a good day, drinks threw a straw an nothing but water or choc milk, his speech is good for his age, very intelligent, we have been involved with OT and ST and NO diagnosis of SID , we haven't tried jello or apple sauce threw a straw, but anything with a smooth texture he gags....Please any suggestions? I notice when he takes bites of food he always bites with his side teeth never uses his front teeth. Acid reflux? Please we are desperate he will soon start preschool and need help soon. I am a worried and concerned MIMI

Sep 19, 2009
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son will not chew
by: Anonymous

As a parent of a SID. Please don't see your child as not telling the truth! Every child tells the truth, unless they were taught to lie.

Yes, the OT telling you about his reflux and scaring is true. Don't make it a big issue infront of your child. He hears your conversation, so please be private with your conversation about him. Treat your son and stick with the food that he can eat. He will get help and work with your son. Give him the foods he can eat and work on the development with gerber 2 or 3 baby food. If he sees you believe in him and you are working along with him then maybe he will try his hardest cuz his mom believes in him and will help him through this chew problem. Have you tried a straw? How is his sucking ability? (applesauce, jello in a container, drinkable yogurts) fish graham crackers with a little water to soften them / then he can gum them. Meijers or walmart toddler fruit or veg. they disolve in their mouth (gum them).

Get with a certified OT and nutrition and see what they say. keep your head up cuz your son sees everything and senses your positiveness.
Fish

Sep 19, 2009
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Son not Chewing
by: Anonymous

I am a pediatric OT. His chewing may be related to the reflux or related to some scarring in his trachea/esophagus due to the reflux. (I.E., refusal to chew because the swallow might hurt). It must be differentiated that he does not have the ability to chew vs. not chewing because of other reasons. It could also be due to very weak jaw muscles and a weak tongue. What is his clarity of speech like?

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Son will not chew.

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Son will not chew.