Feeding Issues

I agree with the others feeding therapy is needed. My son at 7 still has these issues but he will only eat crunchy foods. He is autistic and in so many other therapies that we haven't tackled this one yet. I'd call ECI but find a ST or PT specifically trained in feeding issues.

You need to have him seen by a speech pathologist that specializes in swallowing and feeding disorders. They will be able to help you. Good luck!

My daughter also had some issues with food textures when she was a baby/toddler. We tried lots of things, too, and finally saw some positive results when we took her to feeding therapy at Our Children's House at Baylor in Coppell. They saw that along with texture problems, she wasn't able to chew properly and showed me exercises to help strengthen her jaws. It took some time and patience (which I didn't always have!) but eventually she worked through it. Last year when her Pre-K teacher told me that she ate a better amount and variety of foods than any of the kids in her class, it was music to my ears! (We only did the feeding therapy for 4-6 months, so it didn't take that long to see the results.)
Good luck!!

There is a GREAT program called ECI (stands for Early Childhood Intervention) that helps families from all walks of life. It is a statewide program. (I'm not sure what town you're in.) You can even refer your own child. Drs. also make referrals...anyone can make a referral! If you call 1-800-628-5115 I believe you can find out the number to call in your town (or they may be able to refer your child). This is a WONDEFRUL program that helps with issues such as food/texture issues to children with severe disabilities. I hope you will check it out.

Has he had his throat checked I deal with MHMR clients and I had one with a 3 yr old mind and he would do that but he had a swollering problem. The baby might be afraid of choking and knows what goes down better. Maybe he's trying to tell you some things go down better than others.

Like several of the other posters, it sounds a lot like my son at about the same age. We called ECI. He received about a year's worth of OT and nutrition services.

Get a referral to a nutritionist who is also an occupational therapist. They can assess any underlying physical issues that may be present, such as weak jaw muscles, and other issues like sensory processing disorder. Then they can implement the appropriate therapy to help your baby boy eat.

My oldest son was and is like this. Don't force, it will not help. My son would only eat dry foods which is much tougher because you can't sneak anything in them. The baby food he is eating sounds pretty healthy to me. He is getting his carbs from the pasta in the baby food, so don't worry about crackers and bread. I'm assuming he drinks milk, so there is his calcium. My husband and I spent years worrying just like you are doing now and it did absolutely no good. My son is picky and will not be forced, so we gave up the worry and the forcing and threatening and bribing and just offer him the healthiest options he will eat. We try to put a new food on his plate every day and never say anything about it. If he tries it great, if not, well, maybe next time. Please learn from our mistakes and just give up the control and worry and just do your best. It will make mealtime much more pleasant for everyone and that is important! Good luck!

Seek feeding therapy. Usually speech therapist, but occasionally an occupational therapists can be a feeding specialist. (I happen to be one). Not all speech therapists or occupational therapists are qualified to handle feeding and picky eating issues, though.

ECI might be able to help you. Their therapists aren't typically trained in feeding issues, but they might have someone who could help you. Early Childhood Intervention is a free service.

I looked for therapists in your area, but the closest I could find was Amarillo. (if you are still in Borger as it says on your profile) Ive attached a list of certified speech therapists from our organization's website. You could call them and see if they know of anyone in your area who specializes in feeding issues. Good luck!

Dunavin, Kira Amarillo, TX
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Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicare,Medicaid,Health Insurance,Credit Card
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

James, Diana Amarillo, TX
###-###-####, ###-###-####
Facility Type: School
Payment Type: Health Insurance
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Miller, Kimberly Amarillo, TX
###-###-####
Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicare,Medicaid,Health Insurance,Credit Card,Reduced
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Parker, Valerie Amarillo, TX
###-###-####
Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicare,Medicaid,Health Insurance,Credit Card
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Progressive Step of Amarillo Amarillo, TX
Kira Dunavin,###-###-####
Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicare,Medicaid,Health Insurance,Credit Card
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Progressive Step Rehabilitation Amarillo, TX
Shirley Fuentes,###-###-####
Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicare,Medicaid,Health Insurance,Credit Card
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Specialized Therapy Services Amarillo, TX
Karen Day,###-###-####
Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicaid,Health Insurance,Credit Card
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Taylor, Dana Amarillo, TX
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Facility Type: Govt. Agency
Payment Type: Medicaid,Health Insurance,Free
Referral Restrictions:

View all information for this provider.

Day, LKaren Amarillo, , TX
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Facility Type: Outpatient Rehab Cntr
Payment Type: Medicaid,Health Insurance,Reduced

We use Ready Start (ECI) for our son with gross motor delays, and we LOVE them! They do speech therapy and feeding therapy as well. I live in denton county so I don't know if we would be under the same group, but your doctor can give you the number, just ask for ECI.
Also, our son had a chronic cough for 15mo of his life before we switched to Dr. Waters in Flower Mound, and she immediately ordered a swallow study and we found he aspirates a little bit. We had been to several doctors and had x rays and the whole gammot, and then then she figures it out immediately! You may want to give her a try.
Dr. Water (with 18 and Under MD)- ###-###-####

We went through the same thing with our kids. Our DDs still gag on rice at 3 1/2 and all three of our kids still don't like mashed potatoes. I remember being so frustrated that I dreaded meal times. We just kept offering different things. Once we found something they liked, we offered it a lot along with something new. Mac and cheese was a favorite. Looking back, we should have looked into a therapist like others have mentioned. I've heard they really do help kids with texture issues.
Good luck!

Check out http://mealtimenotions.com/ Marsha is well known for helping children with sensory feeding issues. I am a speech-language pathologist and went through her training and it was AMAZING! We use her techniques at Jump Start for children with feeding challenges - you could always look into speech/feeding therapy. www.jumpstartcenter.com or try ECI since your son is under 3. They even have a feeding program for kids like your son at Baylor Our Children's House and Cook Children's Medical Center ###-###-#### (ask for the parent/child feeding program). Hope this helps.

Hi J.,
I am a Speech-Language Pathologist with Speech and Language Services of North Texas. It's a private practice clinic with Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists. I myself and another SLP at our Frisco location provide feeding therapy services for children with these same issues. If you would like more information, please just let me know! I would be very happy to talk with you!

Thanks,
J.

I would take a hard look at underlying medical reasons for why he's rejecting the food. It might be a sensory integration issue or something else. Is he sensitive to other things -- certain noises, clothing tags/textures etc. My daughter had a all these litte things that like your food issue, that I kept bringing up to her ped. when she was small and it was always brushed off as a little quirk or nothing. As she got older, more and more issues started arising and it ended up she was very very very mildly autistic. If we could have identified and dealt with it at 2, it would have been so much easier. All that to say, what he is doing is not normal and you need to get to the bottom of it. After going through the "war" so to speak, at home the best thing you can do for him is meticulous nutrition. Go organic on milk and produce, avoid artifical colors, flavors & preservatives. Eliminate as much sugar as you can. With all of my kids I've seen notable improvements in health when we followed my doctors advice and improved nutrition.

Our Children's House of Baylor is the best place to go. My son went there for speech therapy and was done after just 8 sessions, no one in my family could belive it. They also do food therapy, in fact there was just a story on WFAA news how a boy from AZ was flown here to use them after he was being feed by a tube do to his texture issues, within 30 days he was eating real food, my doctor recommended them for us and if anything were to ever happen again I would never hesitate to use them again!! Here is the story on the news: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news...

Good luck!

my now 7 1/2 yr was like that, he would not eat baby food with texture, only stage 1-2, it was a big pain in the neck. he also wouldn't eat anything but Peas, which I had to use to disguise everything else I gave him, meat/protein was out of the question! I didn't know there were all these options out there, wish I did, it would have helped greatly. He finally began to grow out of it on his own, anytime he would eat a solid food I would give him lots of it. Now he is fine but still a very picky eater

I'd try the food therapy if you can, even if he grows out of it on his own, I think the therapy would be of great help

YOur son has sensory processing disorder it sounds like to me. Call Our Childrens House Baylor and they work with this everyday.
They will help and the sooner you get help the better the outcome.
Laud

I would talk to the pediatrician about possibly recommending a speech-therapy evaluation. I am a speech therapist although I work with adults with swallowing issues. So I wouldn't be able to give you enough advice. But speech therapist can work with sensory issues and sometimes also treat with an occupational therapist to get children past sensory/texture issues. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any other question. I hope this help!
A.

I'd get in to see an occupational therapist for some feeding therapy. They can help. Our Children's House is a great place.

Sara at Cook Childrens Rehab on Mid-Cities helps children with eating disorders. My son would not eat mushy foods like pudding, mashed potatoes, etc. I have seen Sara work miracles with all the kids she sees, one visit is worth a shot to see if he needs the help. I wish you all the best.