worried mama :(

[x0jadensmama0x]

my daughter is almost 16 months old and still can't walk, she gets scared easily of things, is very fussy most of the time, and has trouble with eating. She is a very picky eater, and doesn't understand to take bites and really chew her food yet, she tries to shove it all in her mouth and swallow it, reach leads to chocking, gagging, & sometimes vomiting. So I have to still make sure all her food is pretty mushy, and cut into pieces so tiny a mouse could eat :( I don't even know what to feed her somedays, feels like I'm feeding her the same things over and over again. But she refuses alot of food, and I have a big anxiety issue about her not eating enough at meals, because she is a little underweight as it is :( she was born at 37 weeks, weighing 4lbs 13 oz, and my placenta was too mature as they say, so it wasn't giving her enough oxygen/nutrients in the womb. She sees a therapist from the birth to 3 program, and her dr doesn't seem too worried nor gives me much to go on, except to feed her more fatning foods. Any advice on how you mamas got your kids to eat more normal, recipe ideas, ideas on ways to help her with walking, etc. would be so helpful to me, right now!!

[sayres]

Have you had your DD seen by a developmental pediatrician? I would suggest that as the first place to start I would also see if there is a "feeding clinic" in your area. There are many reasons why your DD might be having a feeding issue.

[Stephensmom1214]

I think it's time to get a new pediatrician if he isn't worried - that's ridiculous!  Birth to 3 is a great start - does she crawl?  My son didn't start taking independent steps until he was almost 2, so I understand you anxiety, but he also didn't even crawl until he was 17 months (Mother's day, in fact - best gift EVER!!).  I agree with feeding therapy - that will be a wonderful help for her, I'm sure.  I think you shouldn't worry so much about what she SHOULD be eating at her age, given her issues, and just keep it mushy for her, so she doesn't vomit - I think at this point, getting the proper nutrients in her is more important.  A developmental pediatrician is a good one as well, but I think you should ask Birth to 3 about feeding therapy, since they may be able to refer you to someone in the meantime, since Developmental pediatricians often have long waiting lists for appointments.  Good luck!

[lmjess]

 If feeding is a big issue, find a feeding clinic or feeding therapist. My son's speech path is also a feeding therapist.

My son was diagnosed with dsyphagia, a swallowing disorder. His speech therapist works on small bites, proper seating, and building off of the foods he does like into more variety.

[Steph_G.]

My daughter used to shovel food into her mouth all the time. The feeding specialist said that she didn't have good control of her tongue and so since she couldn't use her tongue to get the food to the back of her mouth she would use  more food. One thing that I found worked for us was giving her less food at time so she had to work with the food she had before shoveling more food in, so you can try that, but I agree that you should try to find a developemental pediatrician and a feeding specialist.

[jaydensmom1726]

check and see if you have an elks rehab where you live they could most likely help you with the feeding and walking issuses

[bbymoma1]

have her seen by a developmental pediatrician and start there. her dr might be able to refer u to one