9mo can't eat finger foods...

[nethridge]

So our pedi is really worried about my son's inability to eat finger foods. Well, actually he can't even eat really thick baby food without choking to death.
We may have to see an occupational therapist and see what he thinks, if it doesn't get better in a few weeks. Our pedi said he may need some kind of therapy to teach him to swallow, or there may be something wrong that requires surgery. .

I'm just wondering if maybe any of you have dealt with this before...or maybe have some advice. I've tried chopped up bananas, yogurt melts, ect. Things that are easy. He just chokes and throws up. It's so sad and I feel like I'm going to choke him to death so I stop. Really thick oatmeal, and stage 3 foods are also a challenge.

Any advice? Experience?

[BNC]

Momma, food therapy is NOT a big deal. My sister is a speech path (that is generally who would do the therapy), and I have seen her work wonders with my nephew.

As long as your lo doesn't need surgery, it is an easy, and relatively quick fix to get babies to learn to properly swallow.

Call an EI specialist (Early Intervention) and they will set you up with a speech path for a consultation.

[nini02]

At 9 months, I wouldn't even worry. My son was the same way, and is just now, at 16 months old, starting to "get" the self feeding thing. Kids don't need any solids until 1 year old, and to me he sounds like he just isn't ready yet....

[HeatherlovesCDs]

My DD was the same way. She wouldn't take anything though. As soon as I put it in, she gagged. My ped was worried and was going to send her to a feeding clinic. I asume it's similar to what you are talking about. Then all the sudden before we had the appt, at a little over 10 months, she started taking and eating the solids. It was slow going with her only eating fruits at first, but now, she's eating everything and even eating some table food. She still gags sometimes, but not too much and she isn't very good at the table foods. She doesn't seem to know what to do with her tongue and I'm always fighting it and she pushes the table food out of her mouth by accident with it. But, she's doing much better. She's just over 11 months now. Oh and BTW-none of my kids really were able to eat the 3rds foods, even after they started table foods. Her twin is MUCH better about food, but both babies gag on 3rds and my older son hated them and gagged too. With the next baby, no 3rds.

[ttmomma]

Originally Posted by nini02 At 9 months, I wouldn't even worry....Kids don't need any solids until 1 year old, and to me he sounds like he just isn't ready yet....

same thought here.

[nethridge]

Originally Posted by PaperPrincess Momma, food therapy is NOT a big deal. My sister is a speech path (that is generally who would do the therapy), and I have seen her work wonders with my nephew. As long as your lo doesn't need surgery, it is an easy, and relatively quick fix to get babies to learn to properly swallow. Call an EI specialist (Early Intervention) and they will set you up with a speech path for a consultation.

Thank you sosososos much for posting this. I'm so glad to know that.

[Rosella]

My pedi assured us that any child who is having trouble getting their tongue 'out of the way' to swallow solids is NOT ready for solids (he advocated waiting to START solids, or any other food but breastmilk, until 9 months). The tongue control that controls the gag reflex is an important development that indicates readiness to BEGIN foods, not indicating a problem! I would lay off the foods altogether and try again in a month or two.

[etenney]

I have to agree with PP. It seems a little early for the pedi to be freaking out. But it might be good to take him somewhere just to know that it's not something that needs surgery.