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If your child has feeding or swallowing difficulties, social events and holidays can be stressful. They almost always involve food, and you may not be able to control the food or the environment.
If you have concerns with your child’s feeding or swallowing skills speak to your pediatrician immediately. Then find an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who specializes in feeding and/or swallowing.
For information on signs and symptoms of and resources for feeding and swallowing disorders: https://www.skyrockettherapy.org/post/how-do-you-know-if-your-child-may-have-feeding-and-or-swallowing-issues
If your child has swallowing difficulties, here are some important reminders for your Fourth of July meal!
These recommendations are for families currently under the care of a medical doctor and an OT or SLP. If your child is under the care of an OT or SLP, ALWAYS follow their recommendations.
Quick Tips:
Focus on posture. Remind your child to sit upright and point their chin down to reduce the risk of choking or aspirating (inhaling food/liquid into the lungs).
Cut their food into small bites. It will be easier for them to chew and swallow.
Monitor what is in the mouth. Make sure each bite is swallowed before another bite is taken.
Alternate solids and liquids to clear the throat.
Practice all exercises provided by your OT and SLP!
Incorporate:
Soft foods and foods that don’t break up in the mouth, like pudding, soft pasta, canned fruit (without the liquid), and ground or stewed meat.
Thick liquids, like milkshakes and ice cream.
Avoid:
Dry or flaky foods, like crackers, cookies, chips. You can moisten dryer foods with butter, jelly, or sauces!
Sticky or gummy foods, like peanut butter, thick mashed potatoes, pizza, white bread (whole wheat hotdog or hamburger buns are easier to swallow!).
Thin liquids, like soda or fruit juice.
Helpful Recipes:
Sloppy Joes (ground meat)
Macaroni Salad (soft pasta)
Grilled Peaches (canned fruit)
Chocolate Pudding
Visit the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders for support and resources: https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/
Tongue-Strengthening Exercises:
Sources:
Skyrocket Pediatric Therapy Foundation (SPTF) does not provide medical or legal advice or services. SPTF provides general information about developmental disabilities and developmental therapies as a service to the community. The information provided on our website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal or educational professionals. SPTF has not validated and is not responsible for any information, events, or services provided by third parties. The views and opinions expressed in blogs on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of SPTF.
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