3. Difficulty Swallowing or Chewing: More than Just Picky Eating
Every parent knows the challenge of feeding a child who’s a picky eater. They might refuse certain textures or types of food. However, difficulty in swallowing or chewing that goes beyond mere food preferences can be a signal of something more concerning.
It starts subtly. A child might take longer to chew their food, often shifting it from one side of their mouth to the other. They might avoid certain foods, not because of taste but because of the effort required to chew them. It’s easy to misinterpret this behavior as fussiness.
There could be episodes where a child appears to choke on their food, even when they’ve been eating something they’ve had countless times before. The act of swallowing might become more laborious, with the child taking frequent sips of water to help push food down.
At times, the child might also drool or have a persistent wet chin. It’s not because they’ve suddenly forgotten their table manners. It’s the body’s way of compensating for the challenge of processing food, a challenge that shouldn’t exist in the first place.
Understanding these nuanced behaviors requires patience and attention. It’s about decoding actions, seeing beyond the obvious, and recognizing patterns that deviate from the norm. (3)
