Is your baby or toddler gagging on foods all of a sudden? Does your toddler chew food and spit it out? Or, your baby won’t put food in their mouth? Find out what’s normal and what’s not from a pediatric occupational therapist.
One of the most popular reasons parents find their way to Your Kid’s Table is because their baby or toddler isn’t eating baby food, table food, or both. Obviously, this is a huge area of concern for parents.
These refusals are usually a red flag that something deeper is going on with their eating, and if it isn’t addressed, it could lead to long years of picky eating and feeding difficulties that causes the whole family stress.
I’ve helped so many families of 2, 4, 6, 8, or even 12 year olds that are in a really desperate spot, and one of the first questions I ask (even for a 12 year old) is, “How did they transition to table foods?”
It gives me a clue as to how eating got so out of control! Because if a baby or toddler gagged a lot or started to all of a sudden, or if they refused to eat, it’s a sign that they have some difficulties that have caused challenging mealtimes for years.
I really want to help parents like you avoid that!
Let’s talk about 8 different feeding red flags for babies and young toddlers and what you can do to help your child.
8 Feeding Red Flags for Babies and Toddlers
#1. Baby Refuses Baby Food
Not all babies love the mushy pureed stuff, and many don’t gobble it down jar after jar the way other babies do. But, when a baby consistently refuses, and even becomes upset when presented with baby food, it is usually a red flag that there may be some sensory sensitivity.
While babies don’t need to eat baby food and can focus on table foods, it’s important for them to learn to tolerate using a spoon and eat purees like yogurt, soup, and applesauce as they get older.
Head to my baby won’t eat solids to learn a step-by-step plan to help your baby eat pureed baby food!
#2. Baby Refuses Table Food
Often, when babies refuse pureed foods, logically, parents will start trying table foods. In fact, that is just what I would recommend. However, if a baby is refusing pureed foods because of the mushy texture, they also may not be too keen on bananas or avocados.
Or, some babies love baby food, but want nothing to do with table food. There’s a way to help babies and toddlers transition to finger foods.
I always recommend starting with a dry and crunchy melt-able like baby puffs. If a baby is steadily refusing those and all other foods, then that is a clear indication that something else is going on.
View this post on Instagram
#3. Baby or toddler gags at sight, touch, taste of baby food or table food repeatedly
Some gagging when touching or trying new foods is normal, but if your baby or toddler does this every time, then it’s a strong indicator that they are sensitive to different textures. Or, yes, it’s possible your toddler gags at the sight of food alone.
This is because they’re imagining what that texture is going to taste or feel like.
It’s important (and very possible) to work with your child in a slow, but steady pace to help them desensitize to the textures that causing them to gag. Get an entire guide to toddler and baby gagging. You’ll find tips for how to move past it.
#4. Gags, spits food out, or seems to choke repeatedly when trying to chew or swallow food
There’s a difference between gagging when first interacting with a food and gagging when trying to eat.
Gagging or spitting food out after the baby has started eating tends to indicate that a baby may be having difficulty coordinating the actions of chewing and/or swallowing. These are called their oral motor skills.
Some babies and toddlers need help learning to chew.
At the same time, some babies won’t gag or spit out, but they’ll just hold onto the food, letting it sit in their mouth because they don’t know what to do with it or don’t want to swallow. This is called pocketing food.
#5. Baby or Toddler is only interested in nursing or bottle feeding at 8 months old or later
By 8 months old, at the very latest, babies should be showing some interest in some type of food (puree, soft table foods, or crunchy foods). If they don’t, despite repeated attempts, you would want to consider they have a texture sensitivity, oral motor difficulty, or a possible medical issue like food allergies, silent reflux, or a tongue tie, to name a few.
Make sure you talk to your pediatrician and see a pediatric GI to rule out any physical difficulties you might not be aware of.
#6. Baby or toddler won’t feed themselves with their fingers and/or spoon or fork
Sometimes, children aren’t able to coordinate the action of using a spoon or fork. Of course, I don’t expect a 6 month old to be able to feed themselves much, but they should be attempting to finger feed at a minimum.
When a child at 6, 9, or 14 months old refuses to feed themselves with fingers or utensils, it’s a red flag that they either can’t coordinate the movement required or that they’re too sensitive to textures so they’re avoiding getting messy or having utensils in their mouth.
Either way, you can learn how to teach your child to feed themself.
#7. Only will eat when watching a screen or other distractions
If a young baby or toddler is only able to eat by being distracted by a tablet, TV, phone, or a parent standing on their head trying to entertain them, then they again are lacking the intrinsic motivation to eat, which can happen for a variety of reasons. (See the big 5 reasons babies and toddler’s won’t eat.)
It’s a big bright red flag that something more is going on. Older toddlers and children can fall into this pattern for other reasons, but babies that have never been fed successfully another way, often need help to address the root of the problem.
Again, this is often underlying medical issues, sensory sensitivities, and/or oral motor difficulties.
#8. Doesn’t mouth on toys or chew on found items
I often hear from parents, “I thought it was so great that my baby never put anything in his mouth.”
On the surface, that does seem awesome, but there is a reason babies do that. It desensitizes their mouth to different textures, helps build their jaw, tongue, and lip muscles needed for eating, and they get to practice chewing. If your child never did this and has one of the other red flags, it is likely that there are some underlying difficulties.
Busted Myths About Babies and Toddlers Eating…
Myth #1: My baby isn’t eating because they don’t have teeth
If I had a dollar for every time I heard a parent say their child isn’t eating because they don’t have any teeth yet…. Well, you know how the rest goes! I hear this a lot, and I know that seems like good logic, but I want to shout from the roof tops: Babies and toddlers don’t need teeth to eat successfully.
Really, I’m not kidding!
Think about the first teeth babies get, which is anywhere from 6-14 months old. They are the front teeth. We don’t use our front teeth to chew, and babies shouldn’t be either. Their gums are strong and they should be chewing on them, right where their molars will be. It could be a year later before those molars come in.
Of course, the gums aren’t strong enough to chew steak or raw carrots, that’s why we don’t give those foods to babies.
Otherwise, babies and young toddlers were designed to eat successfully at meals without teeth.
Other foods they shouldn’t eat because they don’t have a teeth and are a choking hazard are:
- nuts
- lettuce
- popcorn
- other tough meats
- most other raw veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and celery
They need teeth and more advanced chewing skills to manage all of those foods. Other than those tough foods and a few choking hazards like grapes and hotdogs, babies are able to eat a wide variety of foods without teeth.
Myth #2: They will grow out of it
I hear this A LOT too! But, it’s not from the parents of babies that are under 15 months old. It is from the parents of 2, 5, 8 year olds plus.
While some parents do arrive at this conclusion on their own because they honestly didn’t know what else to do, sadly, most of the time, parents had a gut feeling something more was going on, but their pediatrician told them, “Don’t worry, she is healthy, she’ll grow out of it.”
I’m not trying to knock pediatrician’s here, they are amazing and I have had the privilege of working with some amazing ones, both personally and professionally. Unfortunately, many receive very little advanced training in feeding difficulties that aren’t causing medical problems or weight loss.
If you see one of these signs, do some research, push for help, or tap into our resources here so you can be supported!
When it’s Time to Get Professional Help
Generally speaking, if your child has two or more of the red flags listed above, I would highly recommend getting a feeding evaluation, which is usually completed by OT’s (like myself) or speech and language pathologists. However, in a lot of cases, only one of these red flags is enough to warrant an evaluation.
If your baby is not eating any foods by 9 months of age or no table foods by 11 months of age, I would also strongly encourage a feeding evaluation.
More importantly though, if you feel like you don’t know how to help your child and something in your gut is telling you that there’s more going on, then get some help. You will be glad you did.
*Please keep in mind that babies born prematurely or present with developmental disabilities may be on a different timeline. Also, every child is unique and this information is tended to be a guide for parents to make decisions about potential interventions to help their child. If you still aren’t sure if your child needs more help, leave a comment below.
Where to Get Eating Help for Your Baby or Toddler
We specialize in helping babies and toddlers eat well. It’s so important to address it sooner than later because the older a child gets, the more ingrained the challenges become.
We have an online program designed for babies and toddlers struggling to eat table foods called Table Food School and another one for picky eaters called Mealtime Works. Plus, we have two free workshops:
- Click here for a free workshop to help babies and toddlers learn to eat table foods
- Click here to a free workshop to help picky eaters (toddlers and older)
If you’re in the states, you can also look into early intervention. What’s covered varies by state, but the evaluation is often free for kids 0-3 years old. Feeding therapy may also be an option. Check with your individual insurance company first to schedule at a private clinic, outpatient facility, or children’s hospital.
Learn to Eat Table Foods Printable for Babies and Toddlers
Want some concrete tips in your hand right now? I have a free printable that will help give you some direction and ease your worries. It’s for parents that are struggling to get your toddler or baby to eat table foods. I’ll send it right to your inbox:
Grab the Free When Babies Won’t Eat Table Foods FAQ Sheet right here!
More on Babies and Toddlers Eating
8 Tips for Nursing Moms Returning to Work With a Baby That Won’t Take A Bottle!
The Best 9 Month Old Baby Food + Table Food Ideas!
How to Teach Your Baby to Chew
Feeding Milestones for Babies and Toddlers
Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 19 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.
Hi, my son is 11 months old. He’s been eating table foods since he was about 8 months old. However, over the past several weeks he’s started spitting lots of his food out! He has completely stopped eating meat, he used to love turkey meatballs, now he puts them in his mouth and then spits them out. He usually swallows avocados, cheese chunks, pears and blueberries, but almost everything else gets spit out. He even spits out the foods listed above toward the end of meal time. I’ve started making smoothies for him to make sure he’s getting enough nutrients and calories. Does this sound like something concerning or a phase he will hopefully grow out of? Thanks!
If he was chewing these food adequately, it’s probably just a phase. However, if he has never chewed these foods well, it might be a sign that something else is going on and that he needs more help. I do have this post on helping kids eat meat that might be helpful. If you see the problem continue, check with his doctor.
Hi Alisha,
Thank you for your wonderful site! It has been a wealth of information!
I have a 17 month old who spits out her food often. She sometimes also wipes the food off her tongue as if she doesnt like the taste/texture. However she will continue to eat the same thing fine about 70% of the time. So perhaps 1 out of 5 spoonfuls, she spits out.
I also have gotten in the bad habit of feeding her by distraction…it was just easier when she was younger to shovel pureed food in her mouth while she was playing with toys or looking at a book. But nowadays that technique is not effective and I am having a hard time feeding her.
When we give her finger foods she will chew for a bit and just push it out of her mouth. but then continue to put more in her mouth again. Most of the food ends up on the floor either spit our or thrown by her.
Is this just a behavior problem? picky phase that she will grow out of? if we give her puffs or ritz crackers she has no problems chewing it, doesnt spit it out.
I would appreciate your advice because I am confused!
Actually Tiffany, this definitely sounds like there is something more going on. It’s possible that there’s some oral motor or sensory challenges. It is really great that she’s eating well the rest of the time.
Although this isn’t totally your situation, I do think the post: 5 Reasons Why Your Kid Won’t Eat will be really helpful. I also have a free picky eating workshop that teaches you my foundation strategies, and I touch on using distractions inside: yourkidstable.com/free
Hi, I have a 10 month old. He’s doing great with eating solids. It’s the water or juice. Both of those when he gets them go inside his sippy. So glad he takes it now. But when he starts drinking from his sippy, he throws his head back like he’s drinking from a bottle. But it causes him to choke badly to where I have to pat on his back to get it up. Because it went down the wrong pipe. So now he’s started coughing and sometimes after a good cough, comes throw up which is mucus. I try to keep his head up but he’s constantly on the move. At this point I don’t know what else to do. How do I teach him to put his head back?
Could you try a straw cup? I’d focus there, he’ll have to learn not to tilt back.
Also I’d try putting him on my lap so that when he tilts his head back he’d hit my chest and I could control how far back he tilted. I’d definitely want to avoid this chocking!
Either way, he’s going to need a lot of reminders and practice!
Hi there,
My 8 month old nurses and takes the bottle well, and was eating all sorts of purees/cereal great starting at 6 months. He got two bottom teeth three weeks ago and now has stopped all purees and finger foods. (Nurses/bottle is fine). He isn’t symptomatic with teething. He also has tongue protrusion now (rests on bottom gums since the teeth came in). He uses teethers, puts things in his mouth, has a strong jaw (likes biting my finger!). Help! It’s three weeks and no solids/purees. His whole life he’s had an “open mouth/slack jaw” type face as well. I’m a PT and he is meeting all other developmental milestones well, not low-tone. Why would this suddenly change?
Hmm, that’s really interesting!
The pain from the teeth may have given him a negative association. I’d try eating in a different environment- and even though they aren’t my favorite- eating out of a squeeze pouch.
The open mouth could be due to sensory processing?
I’d also look at brushing his gums a couple of times a day with a toothbrush- this could help desensitize from a sensory standpoint:)
Hi Alisha ! I have a huge problem with my 14 months old boy. He’s been exclusively breastfed on demand since day 1 without any problems. But now at 14 months he still hasn’t had any real meal , he never took pures, we tried BLW, and he took bite here or there but he never had a meal . He takes 3 bites maximum and he is done. and its only once awhile, he will go days wither any food besides breastmilk. I contacted Early Intervention , and they came to check on him couple of weeks ago and they didn’t find anything wrong with him. He is on time with all milestones and even above average with some.. My pediatrician and few people suggested to cut on breastfeeding, leave him with my husband so he will get hungry and eat , and this gonna give him kick towards eating solids. But i really dont think its a good advice to take away only source of nutrition for him. Im so lost , Im exhausted and frustrated. He barely gains any weight, barely 2lb since 9th month check up.. PLEASE HELP, I dont know what to do… I thought that maybe its sensory but he doesn’t mind playing with food, getting dirty, he tried many textures without problems, he will make grimace but he will finish the bite. Yogurt, bread , cheese, chicken ,vegetables, fruits, crackers,. But its always 2-3 bites and he is done. he doesn’t gag, he can blow bubbles, he used straw when he was 9 months old, he can use whistle, I bought him chewy tubes to exercise , but i just dont know what else to do… Please help me ASAP.
I’d check out this post it’s really helpful:
Then, I wouldn’t take away breastfeeding, but I would stop on demand. I’d set up a schedule similar to this:
Get started there, its a lot of info and I think is just what you need:)
Thank You Alisha ! But the link isn’t visible ? Could you please attach it again for me , I got so excited that I’m getting some advice and then I don’t see the link ? Thank you so much !
Alisha , still waiting for the links, sorry I’m just so anxious and can’t wait to see them to help my little one… Thank You!
I’m so sorry, I just saw this! I don’t know why the links didn’t work.
Here it is though: https://yourkidstable.com/toddler-feeding-schedule/
I have a 3 year old as a baby he never put anything in his mouth, he never fed himself with a spoon still won’t now will only hand Feed himself, he barely eats he lives off pasta, will not eat any meats or vegetables or can’t hide it in food he knows its there, he won’t eat cereals or toast or sandwiches he won’t eat eggs or cheese he screams at food, the gp is refusing help as his weights ok at the moment he got refused a dietition health visitor won’t help
Oh I’m so sorry Kelly! That’s so frustrating. I’d check out my free workshop: yourkidstable.com/free
And also this post on how to get more help!
We’re thinking he has arfid Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder he has all the signs trying to get him diagnosed, we had very nasty arrogant doctor yesterday said it’s just fussy eating take away all his junk food and he will eat kept explaining he dosent eat junk foods the only junk food he has is pizza and chips that’s one of his safe foods so I can’t take that away from him, then he said give him the dinners he won’t eat he will probably refuse to eat for a day then next day he will be hungry and will eat it kept explaining Lucas won’t he will refuse to eat for days even weeks if he’s given foods he’s afraid of, he dosent eat any cakes or cookies seems a texture thing
Ahhh, I hate hearing that Kelly! I’m so glad you new better than to listen to that. Obviously this is more than fussy eating. Some doctors don’t understand extreme picky eating or ARFID.
Hi, I have a 10 month old daughter who will rarely take things to her mouth. She eats a variety of foods with no problem and accepts all textures. I’ve gotten her to eat a cookie on her own but almost always wants me to hold it for her. She’s only startng to crawl which I was also concerned about. We also went to the beach and she laughed when she touched the sand.
Is there something I should be doing different at this early age? I see you recommending a feeding evaluation to others in similar situations but we live in a small town in Mexico and there is no such thing available. I asked a child psychologist who said that it is not normal for her not to put things in her mouth and that I should take her to an early childhood development class. We have been going every saturday and the teacher who is also a psychologist says she believes there is nothing to be worried about, that she just needs time and it could be her personality. I’m confused…should I wait? should I worry?
I think you’re doing everything you can Yolanda, what a wonderful attentive mother you are!
I would absolutely continue to have her bring items to her mouth, even toys. Demonstrate, try to guide her arm towards her mouth, etc. This will help her make the connection. I also have another post that talks about self-feeding, I’d use the strategies I discuss there as well- pay attention to the messy baby food method!
My son is 20 months old and will only drink milk, puréed fruit pouches (only some) and he’ll eat cheesy puffs. Even as a baby 6months + he always gagged and just spat every type of food out. Anything else I give him he just over stuffs and keeps in his mouth until he gags or spits it all out. He also not talking at all, I don’t know if this is related. At times we are able to give him some foods but it’s very rare. We’ve tried cutting out the milk completely and even strict meal schedule. Still doesn’t work. Any ideas what’s wrong?
Hi Kim, everything you’re describing is something I’ve seen many times as a feeding therapist. I suspect that there may be some sensory related or oral motor issues going on that are affecting his eating. you can read more about that here.
But, I’d strongly suggest seeking out a feeding therapist. I know that sounds scary but it will be so helpful. Find out how to do that here.
Hi, my 9 month old has completely refused purees for about a month now. He takes table foods pretty well. He has a great pincer grasp. What he actually wants to eat varries quite a bit but I can always count on avocados. My problem is he doesn’t limit the amount he puts in his mouth. If I cut avocados into bite size pieces and put 4 on his plate he picks up each piece one after the other and stuffs them in his mouth until he gags. He doesn’t do this with food he doesn’t love. He also does it with turkey meatballs I make for him. I’ve stopped putting more food than a single bite on his plate at once and just reload after he swallows. Is this normal? Am I handling it the best way? Thanks!!
You’re handling it perfectly and yes it is normal. He should grow out of that, if he doesn’t then I’d talk to his doctor:) You’re doing great!
Hi!
My daughter just turned 1 this week and is having a hard time eating table food. I can tell she has a very bad gag reflex as she will gag when texture gets in her mouth. She eats pureed baby food good (except for this week, she is refusing to eat dinner which is unlike her) and is just now starting to eat puffs. Her daycare teacher gave her a small piece of toast today and she gagged and threw up everywhere. I told her pedi. I was concerned and have been telling her that for a few months now and she isn’t concerned. She is saying it’s a “texture thing and she will outgrow it.” While I do believe it could be texture, I’m very concerned. I can tell she knows how to chew, she just either flat out refuses table food or gags on it. I need advice!
Ashley I’d totally trust your instincts and look into early intervention (see the link above). If you’re in the states you don’t need a referral and can call and set this appointment up yourself.
My baby is 6 1/2 months old and has met all the recommended guidelines of starting solid foods. She even seemed very eager to start. Now that we have started introducing some, I’m feeling a little concerned. She will gag on every single bite and it is only pureed foods. Is she too young to be concerned? She’s only eaten pureed foods 5 times now. I feel concerned regardless, but I’m hoping she’s you’d enough for the gagging to be somewhat normal.
It is normal, I’d check with your pediatrician though, just to make sure nothing else is going on- if the gagging is happening all the time and it wasn’t initially.
So my 14 month old son will not eat any table foods other than crackers, chips, cookies, cheese-its, and goldfish. Pretty much anything crunchy. Anything else he will not even touch, and if i try to put it in his mouth for him he literally loses it and gags/ cries till he throws up. He eats purees like a champ, but only if i feed them to him. So not sure what is going on. He has no problem chewing and swallowing the crackers etc, he will literally shovel them in 3-or 4 at a time and chew and swallow them with no issues. So not sure why he wont eat anything else. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kara, you need to head over to my post on transitioning to table foods, you’ll get lots of strategies there!
Hello. My almost 3 year old will only eat white rice,apples, candy and chocolates. She spits out the tiniest bits of anything else i try to camouflage in her food like carrots. She has no interest in toddler friendly foods like cake, waffles,pancakes or fruits either. Is this just a picky eater or is there an issue here.
It sounds like there may be some other factors at play here. I have a post on 5 reasons kids don’t eat that may help you get to the bottom of it!
Hi Alisha, just as many parents here I am facing a similar issue with my daughter. She is 14 months old now and does not feed herself ( she takes the food in her hand, she plays with it for a while and then throws it all on the floor no matter how much I show her to eat it). She also does not eat finger food. At 7 months she was eating solids and I started giving her finger foods, she loved it, she would hold and put in her mouth. She didn’t chew though, she didn’t have any teeth and as a first time parents I was worried so I started putting the fruits in the those pacifier looking things with holes, she would hold it and bite on it so the juices would out. then About 9 months she her first teeth started coming out and she would hold and chew on anything she could. I started giving her the next stage solids and she gagged a bit but she was ok, she would eat anything I gave her. But I never gave her puffs or teething cookies (which I regret now because she would’ve ate it). Before 12 months she refused eating any solids, even her favorites, nothing but milk. For about a week or two, then she came back to solids. But she still refuses to finger foods, she turns away if I try to give it to her and she will not take it herself. Even puffs or cookies, she takes it to play and throws it. She will feed me, she likes tat routine 🙂 but the moment I say or show her to put in her mouths it’s a tragedy! Just recently she started to take interest in my food, so she will come and bite a banana or a cookie if I’m eating it. It only works for few foods. She’s doesn’t chew well, she tries to swallow it unless I place the food right in the front of her mouth. I smash our table food for her so it is smaller and softer but it has some pieces in there she has to chew and she will eat it but then again she doesn’t really chew it, seems like she is lazy sometimes. I’m kind of worries, seeing that she was able to do it before and had interest and now she changed I’m wondering if it is behavioral and requires a right approach or it is some type of oral/sensory issue. Honestly she doesn’t seem all that interest in food now. At 7 months she would grab everything from me, anything I was eating and drinking she wanted to try and would be so happy eating it. I’m trying to figure out what changed and why.
Hi Irina, I know it can all be so confusing. It is rarely totally behavior. Check out this post on why kids don’t eat, I think that will be helpful. Also, a feeding eval would give you lots of peace of mind. See the link about for how to get free early intervention through your state:) Wishing you the best.
I’m not sure if this is the right group for this, but I’m hoping maybe someone here will be able to give me some insight. My 2 year old autistic son with sensory issues, Zach, has been suffering for months with rashes, which, as my wife has previously stated, we’ve found to be caused by food allergies of Soy, Eggs, Dairy, and cashew. Thankfully his skin is almost completely cleared after eliminating those items from his diet completely. But there is another issue that is plaguing him that has slowly creeped into the forefront, to the point where it is now causing a life threatening risk daily.
I’ll give a brief history first. When he was a baby he was on an apnia monitor for over six months and they thought he had something they called a “floppy airway”, I don’t remember the exact term but that was the gist of it. We survived the experience and they said he “grew out of it.”
Now fast forward to around his second birthday about 4 months ago and I started to notice that he was having issues coughing frequently when he drinks a bottle, no different than when people are drinking and sometimes it “goes down the wrong pipe”, and we cough a little bit. That problem started to become the norm for him, and he started constantly wanting bottles of milk or water throughout the day, so of course the issue increased in frequency as he drank more often.
Now lately over the past month or so he constantly wants to be drinking, literally as soon as he finishes a drink he wants another one and will literally throw a fit until he gets one, no matter how long I try to hold out, and the coughing problem has extended to eating. Every single meal he eats, other than something soft like soggy cereal, oatmeal, etc, he would cough, like his food almost went down the wrong pipe. It is now at the point where at least once everyday he actually chokes (yes I know the difference between coughing and choking) where he cannot breathe at all and with me frantically trying to pat his back and him making vomiting gagging sounds he is finally able to project the food out of his throat. This is happening with anything that is not soft, even things that he has never had a problem with before, like fruit snacks. Even when I break his food up into tiny bite sizes it still happens. And now he has also begun avoiding putting food into the front of his mouth at all and actually forces food into his mouth through the furthest back side of his mouth as he can.
There are people who have told me that I am overreacting, but I am a very logical and analytical person by nature, and the facts are the facts that this is a problem, I just can’t put a name to it and I can’t seem to get healthcare providers to take it seriously because they aren’t there every single day to see the panicked look on his face when he cannot breathe and cannot get the food out of his airway. I am terrified that one of these times he’s not going to be able to get the food out of his airway and I’m going to lose my precious son. I could not go on living after that, I just don’t see how I could without him. I desperately need help and advice because mealtime, for me, is a traumatizing event, quite literally, and I honestly fear if each meal may be his last. My son is on Medicaid, unfortunately, and that is the worst crap treatment in existence. It seems like the pediatricians here in Orlando who service Medicaid children could care less about anything other than getting their bare minimum payment from Medicaid for “seeing” my son. So there’s not much help there, despite how many times I’ve changed pediatricians, hoping to find someone who really knows what they are doing. I literally can’t sleep at night because of how afraid I am because of this choking issue my son has, which is why I’m up now at 3am typing this post while the rest of my family are sound asleep.
Addition: I should add that he was also diagnosed with a severe allergy to dust mites, and so of course we immediately went through the entire house Tuesday and dusted every single surface with the dust wands that make the dust stick to them, literally every single square inch of the house. Plus used dust mite spray on the mattresses per the instructions, and also washed linens and clothes in hot water. Then went and bought the most expensive air filters you can buy for the AC. Not sure if that may have made it worse by stirring up more mites and irritating his throat? I may not have thought that one through well?
Please, if there is anyone here who has ever experienced anything like what is happening with my son, or if you know anyone who may be able to give some insight into this, can you share?
Thank you in advance for your time and thoughts.
Hi David, I think you are very right to be concerned about this, and there a few different things that could be going on. I would google feeding therapy for orlando and directly call some places, tell them your situation. He should get a barium swallow to make sure he isn’t aspirating (going into his lungs), this is usually done by a speech therapist, but any feeding therapist would recommend it.
I’d also use a sippy cup with a valve because it slows the water down which will help him control the swallow better. I hope that helps!