Hellobee Boards

We see a SLP for help with feeding. He originally worked with one in the nicu but I pushed for a referral from our ped so we could continue to get help once he came home. Our LO qualifies for EI due to a medical diagnosis but he did have significant delays with feeding when he was evaluated. LO is only 6 months so we've been working on solids for about a month so I know our situations are very different! I would definitely talk to your doctor if you are concerned.

I asked our ped about this because I was worried about my LO as well. He said they typically don't refer out for that until they're much older and that at under a year it's still normal for them to not eat very much. Around 10 or 10.5 months my LO finally became interested in purées. She didn't become interested in table food until much later...maybe 12.5-13 months. It was like it clicked overnight. Now at 15 months she eats a lot of table foods!

@MrsH: My LO would gag and make herself throw up, too. Even with stuff like mum mums and puffs...she would still puke. It was SO frustrating!

@MrsH: yikes, how is she making herself puke? My nephew makes himself gag and would eat much until he was 28m! His food list was like 5 items long but he was still gaining very very well so his ped has never been concerned.

@MrsH: We have had a good experience. LO is growing & getting stronger and that plus the exercises we have done with our SLP has made a difference in his bottle feedings. He started purées at 5 months and he would take a few bites for the first week and then he refused the spoon for about two weeks or more. Our SLP recommended to keep trying but keep it low stress and just let him play with some food so he could at least feel it with his fingers and smell it etc. All of a sudden last week he discovered that biting the spoon felt good on his new teeth so we may have overcome our spoon refusal for now. He just eats a little though. Nothing like my nephew who would eat entire jars of baby food!! I would definitely give it a try if your ped thinks it's a good idea. They may have some good ideas for you if textures are a problem. I know everyone says foods are just for fun etc but you also want to catch any issues early and have the most positive associations with food and eating!

Not weird! My LO (9 months) as had issues transitioning to solids and I have a speech pathologist friend who has looked at him. We are considering getting a referral for further therapy.

I think it would be a good idea to have a conversation with your ped. This kind of thing snowball into bigger problems later and it's smart to get help early, but it could be nothing at all.

@MrsH: my 1yo DS2 (D) gets OT through our state's infant and toddler program, and we plan to focus a lot on eating skills. He's been fed via feeding tube his whole life, and his oral muscles and skills are far behind where they should be. I would seek to get an evaluation through your state's ITP, it won't hurt anything!

She probably has the opposite problem D has - maybe overly sensitive where he's less sensitive (sometimes doesn't react to food in his mouth at all, will let it sit there). The OT has always recommended encouraging him to teeth/mouth a variety of textures, and now we're using an electric toothbrush all around the inside of his mouth before he eats to try to "wake up" everything. Not saying you should try this, but giving you an idea of some oral skills exercises.

I know this is stressful! I hope you find a way forward soon.

Hm. I work in the field ( w\ older clients) and I would say if you have the insurance\money I would definitely use an expert because they just make it so clear and not personal. But if you don't have insurance/ money totally feel comfortable using information you can find on the internet. Google oral aversion. It's the same as the experts would be doing. Good luck!