I just want to share with you some of the basics of the feeding and swallowing - some tips that you can use along the way through your parenting journey.
So, first off how is swallowing and feeding related to speech language pathology? Speaking/talking use the same muscles that you use to eat and drink with. Therefore, it makes sense as to why SLPs work with people who have feeding and swallowing issues. Other medical professionals / specialists who work with feeding are:
Pediatrician
Occupational Therapist (working more on sensory and hand to mouth coordination)
Dietitian
GI doctors
Pulmonologists
Many more
Feeding is connected to most of the medical field because we need to eat to sustain our lives.
1. Schedule for feeding in infancy and early childhood
DRINKING
Birth - 12 months -- Bottle/Breastfeed
7 - 12+ months -- Cup drinking (start about 1 month after spoon feeding begins)
14 - 36+ months -- Straw drinking
EATING
6 months -- Spoon feeding (mostly purees) *Please note some infants may start spoon feeding as early as 4 months
6-7 months -- munching chewing begins (may introduce soft solids)
12+ months -- controlled and sustained biting (most infants are very close to a toddler schedule for feeding at this point)
Toddler Schedule
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Please note this a general schedule and basic recommendations. Remember that every child is different and may need more or less food and may be on a different feeding schedule. Your pediatrician will guide you along the way with your child's feeding. Just ask a pediatrician, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, or dietitian if you have questions on feeding.
2. Tips for Picky Eaters
- Some kids are more sensitive in their taste, the color, and/or the texture of foods. Some kids may not like foods because when they were sick they ate that certain food and it didn't taste right or they associate that food with being sick. It's okay to stop offering that food for a little while- you can always retry another time.
- Let your kids be involved with the food choices and decisions. Have your kids shop with you and make his/her lunch with you. See my previous blog post on helping your child with choices https://mepohlmanslp.wixsite.com/theparentproject/blog/meal-prep-for-the-win
Your child will be more likely to eat something he/she chose for him/herself than if you were to pick it all out for your child. Remember the key is make your child choose from 2 or 3 healthy choices.
-Offer a variety of food and while in the grocery store with your child - show them the many different foods there are and the many different recipes you can make with just on type of food.
-Once your child makes some choices for the current meal - let them try a small "taste test" first before giving the child an entire serving. This will empower your child because he/she was able to taste the entire portion, though it may be very small; your child was able to accomplish a task/goal. This also will help your child not feel overwhelmed by too much food on his/her plate and you won't be wasteful if your child does not eat the entire portion.
See my other blog post here on the thank you bite https://mepohlmanslp.wixsite.com/theparentproject/post/the-thank-you-bite
3. Some things to watch out for in the area of feeding and swallowing
If you notice any of these, it's recommended that you speak with doctor and/or SLP who specializes in feeding/swallowing:
-gagging
-coughing/choking
-pocketing of food (holding food in his mouth)
-poor chewing
-over stuffing
-eating very minimal
-tongue pushes forward when eating/drinking/talking
-significantly reduced variety of foods your child eats
-drinks more than eats
Helpful websites with lots of information:
My Parent Project for you this month is to just look at your child's eating/drinking and see if there is anything (if any) that needs to be tweaked or changed.
Have a great March! YAY SPRINGTIME!
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