Has Anyone Been Referred to a Speech Therapist

I emailed my pediatrician about Caleb's solids refusal and he said that since he is past 7 months and has been trying solids for a month and a half, he would look into seeing a speech or occupational therapist. I have an appointment with EI tomorrow to fill out initial paperwork (because they're not sitting unsupported yet) so I guess I'll just mention it to them. This one kind of threw me for a loop. I am feeling somewhat guilty because while I thought I was doing the right thing by not introducing solids until 6 months, I'm now reading several articles suggesting this is too late and that by this time, babies may develop an oral aversion. I'm officially stressed/sad/worried/etc. I've been going full speed for the past 7 months (well, 11 months counting the four months of bed rest) and I think it's time for a break. I have not been sans baby for more than 2 hours since they've been here and I think that this fact along with these recent health issues and trying to sell our house while still living in it and stressing because our nest egg is dwindling and the thought of me having to go back to work brings both me and DH to tears has just about worn me down. Sorry, I didn't mean for this to turn into what it did. I would really like to hear your experiences with food version if you have had them.

 

At 7 mths, I would not worry myself. That is still very young & they should be getting their nutrition from breastmilk/formula. Solids are still for practice at that point here. I didn't give my twins anything until after 7mths.

My advice would be to keep trying and not stress over it.

 

QUOTE(Callen @ Jan 30 2008, 02:29 PM) [snapback]597346[/snapback]
At 7 mths, I would not worry myself. That is still very young & they should be getting their nutrition from breastmilk/formula. Solids are still for practice at that point here. I didn't give my twins anything until after 7mths.

My advice would be to keep trying and not stress over it.


I agree with all of this. GL with the EI evaluation.

 

First of all, I'm sending a big hug your way. I'm so sorry you're stressed. I don't have any personal experience with speech therapy, but two of my closest friends have had children referred to a speech therapist for food aversion/texture aversion/not eating, etc. One of my friends introduced solids at four months, the other at seven months. Honestly, I don't think the timing of when you introduce solids has anything to do with food aversion. Some kids are just prone to it. There are tons of kids nowadays who start solids at or after six months with no problems, and in some countries around the world it's always been normal to exclusively breastfeed for the first year and introduce solids at nine months or even a year. So really, don't beat yourself up that you created Caleb's solids refusal. He might just not be ready yet, or he might need to feed himself or do something that you haven't though of that EI might help you with.

Either way, the speech therapist is sure to be of help. Both of my friends saw wonderful turnaround in their kids after just a few weeks of therapy.

Good luck!

 

Waiting 6 months is the recomended time for AAP, WHO, etc. They KNOW babies, so don't second guess your self!!!

My son did not even OPEN his mouth for solids until 7.5 months, my ped was never worried and honestly neither was I. He eats anything and everything now. But I certainly don't think it hurts to have an evaluation.

 

QUOTE
Waiting 6 months is the recomended time for AAP, WHO, etc. They KNOW babies, so don't second guess your self!!!

My son did not even OPEN his mouth for solids until 7.5 months, my ped was never worried and honestly neither was I. He eats anything and everything now. But I certainly don't think it hurts to have an evaluation.


Ditto Kristi. 6 months is the UNANIMOUS recommendation of all the big health organizations - you did exactly the right thing. My babies were also hardly eating anything in the way of solids until about 7.5 mo, even though I was offering, and now they eat like champs. You might also be interested to know that some pedis recommend waiting until NINE MONTHS to offer any solids (even cereal) if there is a strong family history of allergies. And since you're BFing, you have absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of proper face/mouth/jaw muscle development. I can't remember now where I read it, but in some good source there was an article about BF babies getting optimal oral development by nursing, in ways that bottle feeding can't duplicate, and that solids have absolutely nothing to do with it.

Go ahead and mention it to EI - they are wonderful for setting moms' minds at ease! But you are doing a great job and he sounds like a perfectly normal baby.

I'm sorry you're so stressed right now. :hug99: You've got a LOT on your plate, that's for sure. Big hugs coming your way.

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Jan 30 2008, 03:09 PM) [snapback]597416[/snapback]
Ditto Kristi. 6 months is the UNANIMOUS recommendation of all the big health organizations - you did exactly the right thing. My babies were also hardly eating anything in the way of solids until about 7.5 mo, even though I was offering, and now they eat like champs. You might also be interested to know that some pedis recommend waiting until NINE MONTHS to offer any solids (even cereal) if there is a strong family history of allergies. And since you're BFing, you have absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of proper face/mouth/jaw muscle development. I can't remember now where I read it, but in some good source there was an article about BF babies getting optimal oral development by nursing, in ways that bottle feeding can't duplicate, and that solids have absolutely nothing to do with it.

Go ahead and mention it to EI - they are wonderful for setting moms' minds at ease! But you are doing a great job and he sounds like a perfectly normal baby.

I'm sorry you're so stressed right now. :hug99: You've got a LOT on your plate, that's for sure. Big hugs coming your way.


I totally agree with this.

 

:hug99: Oh sugarpie....there is NOTHING you did to create this, and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. He is doing great! Hey, he eats pizza crust!! I don't think there is anything to worry about (I know, I know..waaaay easier said than done) at this point. There is such a wide range of "normal" for babies. They just go at their own pace, and we as parents freak out over everything. You really have been going at full speed---any *one* of the things you're going through would be enough to stress someone out--but the fact that you're dealing with it all at the same time--YIKES! Of course you need a break. Please don't worry about your little man. he is so lucky to have a mom like you who worries about him so much. Hang in there...

reyna

 

Sending big hugs your way!! Please try not to worry too much right now... he's still so young and food/texture aversions can be somewhat common at this age. I'm actually working on my Master's degree in speech and language pathology right now so feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions. And let me know how your EI eval goes... I may be able to help you with referrals since we're in the same area.

Good luck with everything!

- Carrie

 

My Aiden was seen by OT & ST for his discoordinate suck & difficulties starting on solids (we introduced at 4 mos). While he's in the 85th percentile for weight, I was still concerned about his difficulties not only taking a bottle, but tackling solids. I wasn't overly impressed with the OT & was quite discouraged that it took so long to get a ST to eval him (we actually started the process due to his suck around 1 mo). However, the ST was GREAT! She showed me numerous exercises to work on with him & now he does WONDERFULLY with solids (better than my other twin now) & is improving on the bottle. Luckily he won't be bottle fed forever, but I am now concerned with his inability to figure out a sippy cup. Like others have said, each kid develops at their own pace & I keep reminding myself that he'll someday get it....I hope !

If you do get a ST consult, I'd look into it just for your peace of mind & for any helpful suggestions they can give you. I passed along my tips to our daycare & they said it's really helped other young eaters master solids too! It's worth a shot!

 

QUOTE(Callen @ Jan 30 2008, 07:29 PM) [snapback]597346[/snapback]
At 7 mths, I would not worry myself. That is still very young & they should be getting their nutrition from breastmilk/formula. Solids are still for practice at that point here. I didn't give my twins anything until after 7mths.

My advice would be to keep trying and not stress over it.


ditto... let me give you my story...
my twin dd had major oral issues. nothing wrong with her physically, but at 7 weeks she stopped bf b/c she couldn't handle going back and forth between bottle and breast. (I had to supplement. ) You'd think that she would've gotten better at her bottle after that...nope.... She didn't like her bottle until around 4-5 months. (I pretty much had to force feed her...it was really horrible.) So at 6 months I started trying the spoon...nope... She didn't begin to take the spoon until after 8 months. The entire first year she wouldn't let anyone but me feed her. i had to do it the exact same way every single time...she had to be lying with her head on the boppy pillow at just the right angle..I had to hold the bottle with my hand close enough to her face to be touching her cheek with my finger while I had the bottle in her mouth. It was unbelievable. When I started spoon feeding her, I finally just started offering only fruits b/c it seemed to entice her a little more than anything else. So finally with the fruits she started taking the spoon after 8 months. Don't stress about it. I really don't think it warrants speech therapy this young.

 

QUOTE(Callen @ Jan 30 2008, 02:29 PM) [snapback]597346[/snapback]
At 7 mths, I would not worry myself. That is still very young & they should be getting their nutrition from breastmilk/formula. Solids are still for practice at that point here. I didn't give my twins anything until after 7mths.

My advice would be to keep trying and not stress over it.


I definately agree with Callen. My ds did not get into eating solids until he was 1 year old, and regular food until he was 16 months old. Please don't let them worry you, your doctor may just want to be on the safe side, but really you did the right thing waiting. :hug99: You did NOTHING wrong here. Good luck tomorrow with EI. :hug99:

 

Do you feed them at the same time? My little one wasn't crazy about solids a my pedi suggested that I feed them together. Surprisingly, it worked, she eats almost as well as her sister now. BTW, she hates taking the bottle. Good luck...