3 Year Old only eats baby 1 foods

[christopherfam]

Thank you in advance for all who respond.  My cousin is almost 3.  She refuses to eat anything other than Gerber baby 1st foods.  She won't eat mashed potatoes, NOTHING other than the baby 1st foods.  She lives far away from me, and I am concerned for her.  The pediatrician says it's nothing to worry about, which I find hard to believe.  I have 2 and 4 year old boys who eat anything and everything so naturally I find it alarming.  Her mother smoked while pregnant and rode on Harleys, and I fear that has alot to do with it. I would really like to find some good information on the subject so I can print out info and mail it to them.  I have done some searching and can't really find what I am looking for so anyone who can point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated! 

[LynnS6]

My first thought is that she could either have swallowing issues or sensory issues.

I don't know much about swallowing issues, but I know some of the parents here do. For sensory issues, I'd recommend these websites:

Sensory Processing Network

Sensory Processing Disorder.com

Two good books are: The Out of Sync Child (a good start) and Sensational Kids (better if you know you've got an SPD kid)

If the parents have asked for advice, I'd suggest that they have the child evaluated by a feeding team or either an occupational therapist or a speech language pathologist who specializes in feeding. There is feeding therapy that can address these issues. However, before starting feeding therapy, they need to make sure that she can swallow thicker foods and evaluate her oral-motor skills.

A brief article on feeding therapy:

http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2003/031021/f031021c/

http://www.reflux.org/reflux/webdoc01.nsf/%28vwWebPage%29/Feedingtherapy.htm?OpenDocument

[KatWrangler]

I agree, this could be a swallowing or sensory issue. Frankly, I am shocked the Ped isn't concerned. As a Parent, I would be demanding answers and possible therapy.

[KempsMama]

Originally Posted by christopherfam 

Thank you in advance for all who respond.  My cousin is almost 3.  She refuses to eat anything other than Gerber baby 1st foods.  She won't eat mashed potatoes, NOTHING other than the baby 1st foods.  She lives far away from me, and I am concerned for her.  The pediatrician says it's nothing to worry about, which I find hard to believe.  I have 2 and 4 year old boys who eat anything and everything so naturally I find it alarming.  Her mother smoked while pregnant and rode on Harleys, and I fear that has alot to do with it. I would really like to find some good information on the subject so I can print out info and mail it to them.  I have done some searching and can't really find what I am looking for so anyone who can point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated! 

While I understand your concern, the bit about riding a Harley is a little offensive. 

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by christopherfam 

 Her mother smoked while pregnant and rode on Harleys, and I fear that has alot to do with it. I would really like to find some good information on the subject so I can print out info and mail it to them. 

My first thought was sensory issues.

I think your attitude is judgmental. Smoking, of course, is linked with several problems, including low birthweight. I haven't seen it linked with sensory issues. I've never seen riding on motorcycles linked with anything.

And even if it were, proving that to the child's mother isn't going to help anything.

As the mom of a SN kid, I gotta say, people who blame me or my parenting choices for my DD's struggles don't have a role in my life. At all. I don't see them or talk to them or send them Christmas cards. 

And I didn't smoke or ride motorcycles or anything like that, but for some people, when a child is struggling, the first step is to try to figure out what mom did wrong. In my case, extended BF, not using daycare and a variety of other things have been blamed.

It's weird to me that you have 2 kids, but your only posting on a parenting sight is try to find information on some one else's child.

[Mosaic]

Here is a sheet detailing feeding milestones along with typical oral and motor skills development. Here's another that goes to age 3. I'm sure there are more if you keep googling.

Others have covered this, but I'm feeling extra sensitive this morning and have to chime in. My 1yo DD has been in feeding therapy from day 1, and I never in my life smoked or rode a Harley. My DD has almost NO sensory issues but has substantial risk of obstruction and aspiration because of very real physical and motor problems. If you want to help your cousin, I encourage you to point them toward more knowledgeable resources for a second opinion (such as an SLP), rather than formulating an uninformed opinion yourself.

[Emmeline II]

Are the parents concerned, and surprised the doctor isn't?

Since she isn't 3yo yet you could get the number for early intervention; it's free and they typically come to your home. They can also get an evaluation by an occupational therapist (they also often come to your home). If they are open to it maybe you can offer to do the "hunting" for a provider.

If they don't act and their child will be going to preschool, intervention will likely happen then.

I am a non-smoking, non-motorcycle riding mom and my child still has sensory issues so I'd let that one go. Besides, if they feel judgment from you they will keep you at a distance.