There are numerous causes of chewing and swallowing difficulties in babies and children and establishing the cause is essential to developing a treatment plan.
The behaviours below are common signs of chewing and swallowing difficulties:
- Holding food in their mouth or storing it in their cheeks.
- Attempting to chew food and then spitting it out.
- Gagging or choking on foods.
- Avoiding harder foods and foods that require chewing.
- Preferring to eat puree or soft textured foods.
- Coughing during eating or drinking.
- Sounding wheezy, rattly or having a wet sound voice or cry during or after feeds.
- Diagnosed with a tongue tie.
- Diagnosed with a tongue thrust.
From a parents/carers perspective, are you:
- Constantly reminding your child to chew their food.
- Concerned about your child choking.
- Concerned about the volume of food eaten.
- Concerned about their nutritional intake.
- Offering puree or soft textured foods most of the time.
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