12 signs that tell you your child needs feeding support
Eating is an essntial part of life for all of mankind. Unfortunately for some children, eating is not as intuitive as it should be. Here are twelve signs that show that your child might need some help learning how to consume food and water:
Arching the back, fussing, crying, or falling asleep while feeding
Having challenges breastfeeding
Having difficulties breathing while eating and drinking
Difficulty accepting solids (purées or soft solids) at 6-7 months
Inability to feed self with fingers by 9 months, utensils by 18 months
Difficulty chewing table foods after 12 months
Unable to drink from a cup or a straw by 12-15 months
Refusing to eat or drink
Coughing or gagging during meals
Drooling or having liquid come out of mouth or nose
Not gaining weight or growing
How can parents then foster a happy and healthy feeding time?
Keep feeding time happy, fun and positive. Avoid meals lasting an hour or more, force feeding or negative reactions to food.
Schedule is important. Try to have three meals, two small snacks at the same time each day and avoid constant snacking. Use a slow, calm gradual approach. Give your child small bites and choices.
If your child experiences gagging or choking on food or liquid, problems gaining weight or any feeding difficulties, talk to your pediatrician about scheduling your child for a feeding evaluation with a speech therapist
Author.
Carine El Lakkis
Speech and Language Therapist
Masters in Speech and Language Therapy
Masters in Neuropsychology of Oral and Written Language
Carine El Lakis is a Speech Therapist with 7 years of experience in the field. She graduated from the Lebanese University- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanon and started her career in different inclusive schools and she practiced as well in her own private clinic.
Her clinical experience includes the planning and the administration of therapies to patients from all ages, especially children aged 2 to 12 years old with language and communication disorders (including Dyslexia), feeding and swallowing disorders, learning disabilities, cognitive and voice disorders.