Should I have my child evaluated for Feeding?
Check and see if they are
Birth to 6 Months
-Not latching with a smooth, coordinated, and quiet suck-swallow pattern.
-Causing pain while breastfeeding.
-Not gaining adequate weight or are losing weight.
-Leaking liquid from the mouth during breast or bottle feeding.
-Vomiting during/after meals.
-Having excessive and/or persistent reflux symptoms.
-Showing signs of eczema.
-Not exploring textured food or bringing hands/food to mouth.
-Not opening the mouth for utensils.
-Not able to use the tongue to move smooth or chunky purees around the mouth.
-Not able to navigate meltable foods like puffs or teething crackers.
6-12 Months
-Not engaging with a variety of different textures by hand and mouth.
-Not feeding themselves soft solids/finger foods by 9 months,
-Pocketing food in the cheeks.
-Regularly chewing and spitting out food without swallowing.
-Thrusting the tongue forward while eating.
-Not yet drinking from a straw cup.
Ages 1-3
-Not chewing on both sides of the mouth (Rotary chewing) by age 1.
-Not eating the same meals as the family by 2-3.
-Not eating all textures and consistencies independently by age 3
-Continuing to gag and choke of different textures/foods after age 3.
At ANY Age
-Noticeably coughing, turning red/purple, demonstrating watery eyes, or throat clearing during meals (liquids or solids)
-Sounding "noisey" when breathing.
-Open mouth postured throughout the day or while sleeping.
-Snoring (outside of being sick).
-Having regular/repeated respiratory infections.
-Unable to stick out their tongue and/or move it smoothly to the left and right sides of the mouth.
-Having a limited diet.
-Demonstrating anxiety at/around meal times/food experiences.