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I'm sure it wouldn't hurt! Sounds like a good way to get some help establishing a healthy relationship with food, which I would argue is SUPER important!

I also think that there's no harm in getting him evaluated, and if nothing else, you should get some good ideas for helping him be less picky.

I think it's a good idea! It could just be a phase but I would definitely want to ask a professional too just to see.

duplicate post.

@ValentineMommy: have you talked with his ped? I would start there. I was an extremely picky eater as a child. My mom would make me special meals, etx and cater to my every food wish. The ped told her to stop doing that and only offer what everyone else was served. She said eventually I would eat when I was hungry enough. It didn't take long for me to figure out I wasn't getting anymore special meals.

@ValentineMommy: That's unsettling. I was actually tiny and falling off the charts and they were still unconcerned. I was probably a bit older though. Mommy knows best! The sooner you catch any issues the better. If it ends up being nothing, oh well you've done all you could. Good luck!

@ValentineMommy: Let me know how you make out! I would be interested in where you go if you don't mind sharing.

@ValentineMommy: We did a consultation with a nutritionist to start off with, they are part of the staff at our ped's office and she basically told me that he didn't need intervention (at age 2.5) but she would give me the name of some speech therapists. He was also growing along his curve, but the kid doesn't have an ounce of fat on him. If we put him in a pool, he sinks to the bottom, even with a flotation device. He's just thin and solid, lol.

It took me about 4 months to call. When I finally did, hoping that he would grow out of it, I learned that he did need some intervention and he's now been in therapy for about 9 months. His basic problem is that he doesn't chew, he would mash with an up and down motion, not a circular chewing motion. So I would start there, observing what your son does with food in his mouth.

There are basically two kinds of feeding therapy, sensory and muscular. Some therapists will do both, others will do one or the other, so it's really important that you get an evaluation...it can take a few hours/sessions and would involve eating observation.

I am seeing improvement in speech, it's been amazing for the both of us to learn how to do the exercises that strengthen his jaw and mouth.

@ValentineMommy: but you have a plan, that is a start!

@looch: so your son was over age 2 when you started therapy? My son has the same problem where he mashes with his tongue and sucks on food but doesn't know how to chew. I've been asking his feeding therapist for oral motor exercises but she hasn't offered much. He's only 15 months though so it seems like she thinks he is too young to do most exercises. Was your feeding therapist an OT or speech pathologist?