An alternative reason (rather than you spoiling your child) is that your baby had reflux issues and/or a sensitive gag reflex that led to issues with texures, or possibly has tongue tie which can lead to issues moving food around the mouth. Also I think this is normal to a degree, my son (nearly 3) has always been a good eater and was on finger foods from pretty early on, but he has a tendancy to stuff too much food in his mouth and then gag at times, I've seen other toddlers do the same, he is growing out of it.
It is super important that they have chewy food though, otherwise the jaw doesn't develop propperly and you end up with crowded, crooked teeth and other issues. Just keep giving food in various forms and she will get there.
Thank you. I've changed as soon as I realised it and 'cross fingers' she's doing well. :)
An alternative reason (rather than you spoiling your child) is that your baby had reflux issues and/or a sensitive gag reflex that led to issues with texures, or possibly has tongue tie which can lead to issues moving food around the mouth. Also I think this is normal to a degree, my son (nearly 3) has always been a good eater and was on finger foods from pretty early on, but he has a tendancy to stuff too much food in his mouth and then gag at times, I've seen other toddlers do the same, he is growing out of it.
It is super important that they have chewy food though, otherwise the jaw doesn't develop propperly and you end up with crowded, crooked teeth and other issues. Just keep giving food in various forms and she will get there.
I can't give you any advice on how to get her to be less 'lazy' at home.....no experience there, but i can tell u how important it is to get her out of this habit. I am a nursery teacher for 3 year olds and have a little boy in class with the same issue....he doesn't chew, just keeps the food in his mouth....reason.....his mum just fed him formula and liquidify foods throughout cause she feared he would choke! so the result is the boy just hasnt learnt how to chew!!
He now has but he only does it in school cause i never gave him a choice...at home he will still sit with his food in his mouth for hourssss.
Kids have the tendency to push you as much as they can....dont give it.....feed her stuff that will require her to chew, if she doesnt want to, dont give her an 'melting' alternative, Let her not eat and when she is hungry offer her some chewing food again. Eventually she will give in....You as a mum just have to be strong not to give in before knowing ure child is hungry....it can be tough...but if u dont do it now.....she will have a very tough time later.
Sorry if im a bit direct with my approach....have worked with too many 3 yrs old to know what they are and arent capable of and how the possess the 'magical powers' to pull their parents strings.
<em>edited by A1984 on 02/06/2013</em>
I now realise why my nearly 3 yo toddler is a fussy eater. She is pretty lazy in chewing food. She like food that 'melts' in her mouth or requires minimum chewing. If we were to have noodles, she won't chew a lot and therefore gag alot.
Any advice from mummies on how to make her 'less' lazy to chew?
Thanks