Most of us take our ability to eat for granted.
For those with feeding issues, eating can be something to fear. Think about it. Getting that snickers bar from your mouth to your stomach requires you to:
hold your breath…..actually swallow…..and protect your airway….. all at the same time.
Add the dislike of flavors and textures and eating also becomes something to dread.
Learning to eat takes Parker way out of his comfort zone. Because of his spirit and spunk and willingness to try even though it is hard, I refer to him as our Brave Hero.
Here our Brave Hero is accepting a taste of his flavored applesauce.
Look at his hands. He’s been PLAYING in his food. This is HUGE. Simply HUGE in the progress of getting Parker to feed himself.
This is about the time that my other kids would exclaim, “Hey!” “If we did that you’d have a cow!”
Uh. Oh. Sensory overload. Time to take a break while Mom performs her version of “Clap! Clap! Clap Your Hands!”
Ahh…..basking in the warm glow of a job well done!
You can find Tammy and Parker hanging out at their other blog: Praying For Parker
My son went through two years of food therapy so I know what joy those “little” triumphs can be. I once sobbed with joy because he picked up a carrot and took a bite of it.
Way to go Parker! You’re making your mama proud!
Dealing here as well, Tammy! It does seem to help, if only a little bit, if I let Elliot “try” to feed himself, though. He managed some yogurt dipped in cracker crumbs at therapy last week. Huge too as we have strayed a little from only creamy texture to something with a bit more substance. You rock with your apple sauce, Parker! WTG!
Well done you! [both] We are still ‘playing’ with the same issues.
‘and for my next trick, we shall play flick ball with a pea,’……well maybe in an eon or two. Perhaps in a decade [or two] we might eat one! Yeah!
Cheers
I love his new hairdo!
I fought hard to have Evan eat by mouth when he was an infant. I knew that if I stopped feeding him orally it would be harder later on when he was strong enough to eat all on his own. We didn’t have to worry about aspiration so that was a huge plus. Good luck with your feeding journey.
Thanks for the post Tammy. I sometimes forget the struggles we had with Myah, because she is such a good eater now. It’s truly been a blessing to have her feed herself and enjoy her food, but it took some intense years of therapy and “tricks.” I will never miss tube feeding.
Parker is such a sweetheart, I love the 3rd picture, he looks so content.
Good for Parker!!
Isn’t it ironic to see parents chastising kids for playing in food while we are begging our kids to dip one little finger in?!
Have you read the Food Chaining blog post comparing food to grasshoppers?
http://cheriandlaura.blogspot.com/2008/06/chaining-proceed-with-caution.html
Tyler has been licking several fresh fruits (grapes, peaches) for the last couple of weeks. HUGE for us!
I’ve also found it helps to let Tyler (who is almost 2) stand up to eat. Strapping him in the high chair seems to make him feel more vulnerable. Of course, there are challenges to this approach and I know a lot of therapists discourage it, but it works for us.
WTG Parker! That is huge! We haven’t had the feeding troubles to the extent that you have, but it has been a struggle. I’m so glad to see our dear Brave Hero experimenting!
It makes me thankful now when my son plays in his food! Good job parker and keep up the good work. I am pulling for you.
Compared to Parker, Peanuts eating issues have been a walk in the park. It can be so stressful at times, for everyone! Way to go, Parker! I hope you really enjoy eating one day soon.
So did you take him and the high chair outside and hose them off after this therapy session.
Thankfully, so far, John has been a pretty good eater. I let him feed himself solids, but haven’t ventured to let him feed himself the really messy stuff. Guess it’s time.
As with everything else he’s overcome, I have no doubt, Parker will overcome these feeding issues as well.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race!
Awesome pics, and awesome job Parker!
My son has food issues too- celebrate those little triumphs because to us, they’re HUGE!
I hear applesauce has conditioning properties for skin and hair. That last photo rocks my world.
We dealt with the same feeding issues with Wil. He still feels and sniffs his food before eating it at age 10, but eat it he does!
Parker will be scarfing down a burger before you know it.
Well done! Both of you!
I love how there’s a gob on his nose and his expressions and how clearly the best way to react to a sensory overload is to rub the applesauce in your hair. Man. He is so freaking ridiculously cuuuute!
Parker we’re so proud of you! And Tammy you’re pretty cool too.
Way to go Parker!!! He’s such a sweetie…
Tammy –
Thanks so much for posting about this. We’re just getting ready to start therapy with Jenna. It’s hard for people (even family and friends) to understand why Jenna won’t eat by mouth and what the big deal is with teaching her. “Why does she need therapy?” “It will just come.” Etc., etc. Breathing issues just make eating scary. Who wants to be afraid of choking every time something goes in your mouth? I’d stop eating too.
Your post gave me hope for Jenna and shined a light of inspiration my way. Way to go Parker! I hope Jenna does as well.
It just makes me so happy to see Parky doing this! I know before long he will be enjoying the different foods and deciding what he likes and doesnt like. Playing in your food is so fun too
You are awesome Parker!!! Keep it up sweetie, we are all rooting for you!
Awesome to see how well Parker is doing. Oh Sensory overloads look out. But Parker Looks like he recovered well.
WTG Parker! We have struggled with Nik and feeding for a few years now. He’s doing well in therapy and seems very interested. We recently discovered the absolute connection between his seizure meds and his stopping eating nearly two years ago! Just started weaning them (he’s been seizure-free for several months, thank God!) and can’t wait to see if his ability/desire to eat comes back. He’s still super sensitive about textures, though, so I expect it’ll still be a long road to get there.