Problem With Textured Food

by Kusum Rossman
(Hawaii, USA)

Our son is 12 months old and has issues with solid food. He eats only baby food, he doesn’t want to try any food that has texture. He gags and vomits if he gets small crumble like cottage cheese in his baby food. Sometimes, he gags even at the sight of Cheerios...... sometimes, he don’t mind playing with them..... we do offer him Baby crackers, he just puts them away.




These days we put the crackers along with his toys, he finds them and bring them back to me and try to feed me....sometimes he tries to put them in his mouth but gags immediately. We are trying all sorts of things to desensitize his oral sensitivity by special teethers, spoons and nuk massage brushes. He has no problem on chewing them and his toys.... he mouths everything.
He is thriving and has no other problems with his health..... he is a very happy and active baby. But, he also doesn’t like to be held by anyone whom he doesn’t see that often.

I was surfing since so many days and found your website which is very helpful.

Could anyone suggest me the activities that can help our child to overcome this problem? We live in Kona Big Island Hawaii.... our community hospital doesn’t have the OT who is specialized in SID’s.



Kusum Rossman
from Hawaii



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Apr 20, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Have patience ...its going to be ok.
by: Anonymous

Good day. My granddaughter has the same issues. Very premature chewing still at 23 months. We have OT and Speech therapy and I see it's going to be a process. But to all..... don't worry. If early intervention is in place your little will get it in there own time. Just have patience ...God bless
Apr 13, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT
by: Anonymous

I think you should take your son to an OT just to be safe and see if the muscles in his througt are ok, and see if he needs theropy.
Jul 07, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Memees advice
by: Anonymous

My grandson developed the exact same behavior at that age he is now 3 and his diet consists of sausage patties,chicken nuggets with the crust off, crackers and on a good day apples.We sought help from therapist and is doing better I understand your worries and concerns will your child will improve? I pray he will please keep up the effort and just don't press the issue
Jul 07, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Problem with Textured Food
by: CorysMom

My soon-to-be 2 year old has some feeding issues. He did not self feed until he was 12 months old. At that time, he would put table food in his mouth and the food would shoot back out quickly. He never seemed to have the patience to mush the food up in his mouth. If it was not creamy and smooth, it would not go down the gullet. We have had early intervention for almost a year now. Cory is finally eating dry cheerios, animal crackers and graham crackers with ease. Unfortunately, that is all he prefers to eat, other than yogurt. Everyone tells me that someday he will eat food like other kids, but when will that day come?
Oct 28, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Seek therapy early
by: Anonymous

My son has the same problem. The only thing is he is now 7 years old. For years our pediatrician brushed it off as him being a "picky eater" and it being a phase he would grow out of. Through the years it has gotten worse because now he has built up a fear of food.

We have switched doctors and recently started seeing a speech therapist for therapy. His latest accomplishment is that he is putting sweet potatoes on his lips and wiping it off. Still hasn't made any new foods into the mouth yet (he will gag and throw up).

Be your son's advocate and seek out therapy for him. If there is none there, I can tell you the therapist has started by just placing different textures on his lips and using a NUK brush to stimulate the inside of his mouth and plans to build from there. good luck.
Sep 14, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Eating difficulties
by: tracy OT

my son had the same issue. His primary Dr. kept brushing it off. I finally said I wanted him to go to see a therapist. we went to a Speech therapist who specializes in feeding issues. It worked out great and by 2 months was eating everything.

Imagine how bad I felt not seeing this in my own child. I am an occupational therapist for heavens sake!
Aug 22, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dont worry...
by: Anonymous

This is a very common problem in babies and toddlers. it is very possible your son will outgrow this and start eating textured foods soon. I know of lots of babies who don't want to eat textured foods. Just keep trying.

Also, hes probably a bit shy and thats why he doesn't like people he doesn't see often holding him.

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