Spitting out food and texture issues? Something more?

[BabySmurf]

Is this all it is, or is this a sign of something else?

DS has always spit out his food, and I just assumed that it was a gag reflex or something that he would grow out of.  He was a late eater, and I figured that his gut just needed more time to mature.  He would go through periods where he would eat food (sort of), and then totally refuse it.  He did get more interested in food after one, but he would still chew on most of it for a bunch, and typically spit it out.  There were certain things that he could handle, but I couldn't really see any rhyme or reason to it.  Around 20 months old he started eating a bit more and I got pregnant.  After an initial clingy nursey phase, he suddenly stopped all of his nutritive nursing on his own accord  (he still comfort nurses, but I don't have more than a few drops of supply left).  He does eat pretty well most days and will swallow food...but I realized that his sudden ability to swallow food coincided with the change of seasons - I started making a lot more stews in the fall, which is when he was able to actually handle food without spitting it out.  He also asks for ketchup on anything that isn't a stew...I realized that he needed the moisture in order to swallow.  I ran out of broth and made a few normal plates of food and he went back to spitting his food out again....unless it's doused in ketchup.

I mentioned this to my mom, who works with kids and adults with disabilities, and she said that adding sauce or moisture to foods is how they are able to get their clients with texture issues or issues with swallowing eat their meals.

So is this just a texture issue that he will grow out of? Is this indicative of deeper issues?

FWIW, he did have signs of food intolerances as a baby and we eliminated gluten and most grains, dairy, and any corn that I could identify.  I have been more lax with these items since I have been pregnant (my body seems to need some nutrients from these foods that i'm not getting otherwise) and his symptoms haven't really returned, although he does have dark circles around his eyes that I have never been able to get rid of, so I am wondering if they are more of an environmental allergy than a food allergy.  I have kept a food diary and the circles are there and wax and wane - I would guess it's either a sign of gut intolerance or he's allergic to our cat...I can't find rhyme or reason from a food trigger.

Thanks for any insights!

[crunchy_mommy]

DS had texture issues and really didn't eat food until he turned 2. Then he started eating really well, but still spit out certain things -- apples, carrots, grape skins, plum skins, anything hard to chew.

He's 4 now & the only thing he still spits out occasionally is carrots -- he will eat them cooked but if they are raw he can only eat about 1/3 of a carrot before he starts spitting them out.

So for us, I'd say he's largely outgrown the texture issues (though he still has strong preferences for certain textures) and it hasn't been a problem in his overall diet or anything.

I guess the bottom line is, is it interfering with him having a balanced diet? If not, you could probably give it a bit of time & see if he outgrows it. If it is interfering with proper nutrition or causing him (or you) undue distress, you could have him evaluated. Early Intervention will evaluate for free up to age 3... though to be honest they did not seem at all concerned with DS's texture issues since overall he was eating OK, so going straight to a specialist might be better if you can swing it.

There are some sensory activities here you can try: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/picky-eaters.html

[BabySmurf]

Thanks for that! I never know what's a "normal" issue and what is something that requires more attention - he still is growing fine and doesn't appear to be hungry after meals.  So that's great! And I will look over the link you suggested too, thanks for that :)
 

[azzeps]

Sounds normal to me. Every kid is different. My DD never spit anything out and only gagged a few times at a very early age. My DS sounds more like yours! He is just now starting to swallow more. He still has a hard time with coarser foods. Going to have to reread my Ellyn Satter book because she describes the process of learning to eat in detail and it was fascinating. Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense is the book if you're interested.