Eating Problems

Hi B., First, do not reach out and plug your daughters nose and make her swallow, she could swallow wrong and chock. There is nothing wrong with your daughter and she will grow out of this. I would check her month before letting her up from the table and if she still has food in her mouth then ask her to swallow it or spit it out. If she is full, don't make her eat it. My kids are grown and had their own habits, and while I may not have liked them, it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Don't make to much out of it and it will be fine. Let kids be kids because they grow up to fast.

My goodness - yours mine and ours. I grew up that way too - five of us in all.

I had a friend whose daughter did that. She just held all her food in her mouth. Something she did because she really didn't like the food. Most kids don't like eggs. If she has a choice to swallow or spit it out which does she choose?
I wouldn't punish her for it as long as it doesn't get spit out on the carpet or siblings. Eventually saliva will digest it.

Just for safe measure, check her throat to be sure its not red or irritated and swallowing hurts.

You have a lot going on and she is dealing with this one little issue the only way she knows how and I wouldn't worry too much about it unless she could choke then have her spit it out.

Good luck to you and patience and kindness be your friend.
C

my 3 yr. old did this also. after no attention she stopped it and started swallowing. try that and see if it works for you.

Our 3 1/2 year old son also does this. We can always tell when he is full, because he starts to hold the last bite in his mouth. We just make it a point to not let him down from the table until his mouth is clear. He has a twin sister, so often times she is down and playing before him. That always encourages him to do it a little quicker.

2 ideas. One is giving her something to drink, and that should encourage the swallowing of the food. The other is when she is holding food in her mouth, reach out and plug her nose quickly. It is instinct to swallow when your nose is plugged (do it to yourself, and you'll see!)This also works with giving medicine.