Random Neural Firings

He Did It! – Happy Feeding Update

June15

I cannot believe that three weeks ago, my son was vomiting and screaming bloody murder to eat a bite of fork mashed food and today . . . well, today, he FED HIMSELF banana, broccoli, chocolate doughnut, hot dog, pasta and French toast. With his fingers. He shoved the food in his mouth and I choked back the tears. I couldn’t believe it!

Here’s how it went down: We arrived at OT and I told Jessica he’s doing fine with eating his “big boy” food as long as we feed it to him on a spoon. And by “fine,” I mean he protests for the first few bites but usually eats the rest without fussing. This is a HUGE improvement from a few weeks ago. But the only food he’ll pick up and eat with his own fingers is a cereal bar and occasionally, pieces of a Vanilla wafer (but usually only if it’s in his stroller, not in his high chair). Jessica explained that our fingers are more sensitive than our mouths and it can take a while for kids with feeding disorders to pick food up. Truthfully, I can’t stand it if my hands are sticky so if he is a little “sensory” then he comes by it honestly.

She said this might take a while but we would begin working on it. We know he likes bananas because he will let me hold that in front of his mouth and he takes bites. So we started with a banana. She put her hand over his and showed him how to bring it to his mouth. No resistance. Hmmm . . . She tried again. Easy as pie. She told him to do it and he picked it up and shoved it in his mouth.

Then we cut bits up and put it on his tray and he picked one up after another and kept shoveling them in his mouth. I actually had to tell him to slow down and chew. I never thought I’d get to say those words!

After he had the banana down, we started putting bits of other types of food on his tray. He occasionally protested but we just told him he had to do it (and rewarded him with bites of yogurt). We clapped and praised him.

Honestly, I’m still in a little bit of shock. My husband was choked up, too, when I told him about it. It was like watching some other toddler, merrily putting bits of food in his mouth. We’ll be working on this at home, but if he keeps it up, then WE’RE DONE! He’s 19 months old and finally, off baby food. And this close to being done with feeding therapy. Wow.

He did it!!! And look how pleased he is with himself. Well done, Son. Well done.