Feeding Difficulties
An umbrella term encompassing all feeding problems, regardless of etiology, severity, or consequences. It includes any problems that affect the process of providing food to the child. Include problems gathering food and getting ready to chew and eat. For example, a child who cannot pick up food and get it to her mouth or cannot completely close her lips to keep food from falling out of her mouth may have feeding difficulty.
The following are signs of feeding difficulties in young children:
- arching or stiffening of the body during feeding
- irritability or lack of alertness during feeding
- refusing food or liquid
- failure to accept different textures of food
- long feeding times
- difficulty chewing
- coughing or gagging during meals
- excessive drooling
- difficulty coordinating breathing with eating
- increased stuffiness during meals
- hoarse voice quality
- frequent spitting up
- recurring pneumonia or respiratory infections
- less than normal weight gain or growth
children may be at risk for:
- dehydration
- poor nutrition
- aspiration
- pneumonia
- repeated upper respiratory infections that can lead to chronic lung disease
- embarrassment or isolation in social situations involving eating.
Kids in Stride is therapy designed specifically for kids with developmental challenges in their movement, play, speech, language, learning and behavior. We are a privately owned practice in two locations Murphy 828-516-1700 & Franklin 828-634-7800, NC. Choosing Kids in Stride as your Therapy provider allows you to receive Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy on site, ensuring that you experience a truly integrated multi-disciplinary service. Our Pediatric Therapy is designed to deliver functional skills to increase independence. Our therapy programs are based around upper extremity functioning, fine and visual motor skills, and sensory motor integration.
Visit us at https://kidsinstride.weebly.com
