Why doesn't my 19 month old baby chew her food? She can't eat any table food because she chokes and gags and throws up. When I feed her the Gerber 3rd foods, she swallows it whole. She makes absolutly no attempt to chew at all. My oldest daughter was off the bottle and feeding her self at this age. My doctor said to give it 2 more months before she refers me to a therapist. I try giving her fruits, puffs, biter biscuits, cheerios, fries, and any other kind of simple finger foods I can, and she does not eat it. It is also difficult to get her to drink liquids. She will sip some out of a straw, then start to dump it all over the place. When you redirect her back to drinking it, she throws an enormous fit. I don't exactly agree with my doctor as far as letting it wait and then wait for the referal to be approved, but I'm at my wits end.
I strongly suggest you have her evaluated by Regional Center. The one for Orange County is: www.rcocdd.com
I would not wait.
It could be that her teeth hurt. Now's about the time for her 2-year molars to start. And though rare, she could have a cavity (a friends' son did at only a few months older than your daughter). I like the suggestion below for the chiropractor, but I also think a dentist is a good idea.
So much good luck to you.
My daughter is doing the EXACT same thing at 19 months. I see this post is over a year old. What did you end up doing? Did you find out what the problem was??
M.
Your daughter needs OT. I dont think 2 months will make a difference in the long term, but, you might go insane!
A couple fo my friends see a pediatric chiropractor that has adjusted their babies' TMJs, etc. One was a c-section and the other was vaginal, but the force at which they were pulled out at birth might have done it. Maybe it hurts her to chew?
You might want to think about calling your local regional center. They see children for all different reasons, there are occupational therapist there that are able to properly give your child an evaluation. Not sure what area you are in but if your near pamona at all the office # is 909- 620- 7722. This is a free service that is available.
My youngest daughter did that for the longest time and now she's fine. It doesn't hurt to look into it tho...my DD is doing well and eating LOTS of things and she was exactly like that, it was frightening...
Try getting a 2nd opinion... inability to swallow can mean many things.
Or maybe her gag reflex is still there...
Is she talking yet?
Sometimes there is something called dysphagia, which is a swallowing disorder. But, a professional has to assess this.
In the meantime, until you have a concrete diagnosis... I would NOT feed her anything that she cannot eat or swallow. And, you have to be careful she does NOT aspirate any food into her lungs... because this can cause pneumonia for example.
Just feed her what she is able to eat or swallow. And keeps foods very very soft and minced.
Also, how is her intake? Is this affecting her growth/intake/weight gain?
The Doctor should address this as well.
Next, has she always reacted this way to "eating?" Or just only now? Is she teething? Does she have a pincer grasp? Can she pick up food herself, to self-feed? Does she still have a tongue-thrust or gag reflex?
Can she drink anything? How about from a bottle... can she drink from that? Is it just a straw cup that she can't drink from? How about a sippy cup? Just feed her things that she CAN drink from or eat. Until you get a more definitive diagnosis. Main thing is that she does get intake and sufficient nutrition, in the meantime.
All the best,
Susan
I will say that if you have the opportunity to see an occupational therapist about this issue, you'll be totally relieved no matter the outcome. They're trained to see things that parents and sometime Doctors can't see. If there is an issue for your daughter, they will have the tools to help you deal with it and if there's nothing, then you'll know that too. Have you tried sucking something like a smoothie into a straw and letting it drip into her mouth? WIll she let you do that? All babies develop at different paces, but she should be eating small bites of food on her own at this point. -www.weelicious.com
You don't say if this just started or has been going on for quite a while. She could be cutting teeth. My son wouldn't eat when he was cutting teeth, because it hurt. She may have some problems with her gums......does she chew on anything? Toys? What about mashed potatoes, will she eat those? French Fries? Have you looked at her throat and gums?
I think I would talk to a different doctor if he is telling you to wait two more months. Is she under weight? She's a little young to be that picky, I suppose it is possible, but I would think at this point there is something medically wrong. Get another doctors opinion.
Get her looked at . Good luck and take care.
