Anyone here has dealt with toddler unable/unwilling to swall

amother

Tue, Nov 14 2023, 10:19 am

Anyone here has dealt with toddler unable/unwilling to swallow, toddler spits out anything thats not liquid or smooth.

This is bli ayin hara a perfectly healthy toddler otherwise, with this one issue.

Which Dr did you go to?

How was this treated?

Im in NYC.

Thanks for any advice offered.

amother

Trillium

Tue, Nov 14 2023, 10:38 am

I would see an ENT and a myofunctional therapist. Also someone literate in oral ties.

Feeding therapists will not get to the root of the issue in my experience.

amother

Hosta

Tue, Nov 14 2023, 10:40 am

How old is your toddler-have they ever tolerated thicker or lumpier textures? If it's a new issue, where they were previously okay, I would take them to the ER to check for any obstructions or injury.
If it's always been an issue, it's common for some children to have sensory difficulties with specific textures or flavors. A speech therapist who deals with feeding difficulties can possibly support your child moving forwards. You may need to go first to your regular dr to ask them to signpost or refer you.
You may want to explore if there's specific flavors your dc does or doesn't tolerate. What happens if you make the liquid slightly thicker, like if you added rice cereal? What do they do then?
If you are concerned about them not having enough nutrients, you may need to look at high calorie milks that will give them more calories.
Also this may be part of a larger picture, does your child struggle with anything else-are they sensory adverse, like they will avoid touching things, hate loud noises etc? Some children struggle with sensory difficulties.

amother

Tue, Nov 14 2023, 11:40 am

This toddler has always has this issue.

In general child is very easygoing otherwise.

What do the feeding therapists and myofunctional therapists do differently?

Who is a specialist in the tristate area who is considered the best in diagnosing and discovering the root of the problem?

amother

Coral

Tue, Nov 14 2023, 12:14 pm

amother OP wrote:

I had this with ds when he was 1.
Saw an excellent speech therapist who specialises in feeding problems.
Ds is now a teenager with no problems.
Would be happy for you to contact me.
Where do you live?

amother

Charcoal

Tue, Nov 14 2023, 12:20 pm

I don’t know what age toddler but if they’re over a year I would consider this a seriously urgent matter. The longer you go without eating the harder it is to get them to start. You could try a speech therapist but I think you need a more global evaluation. There’s a feeding clinic in St Joes in Patterson that we went to I don’t know if there’s anything similar closer to you. Maybe your pediatrician could help. Ultimately we had success with an amazing speech therapist who unfortunately doesn’t live in the area anymore and an OT but my child was always eating some foods just extremely picky.