Biting off too much - Not chewing

[SebiMom]

My 14 month old seems to have a problem with the concept of biting off just a bit and chewing. He continues to shove whole cookies or crackers into his mouth and tries to swallow without ever chewing. He used to bite and chew but now it's like he took a few steps backwards and only wants mashed food again. We've already had a couple of close calls if we don't catch him fast enough putting whole pieces into his mouth. Any suggestions? Is it just a phase he's going through?

[kaiya23]

Probably just a phase. Is he growing new teeth? Molars? They may hurt so much he doesn't want to put pressure on the teeth he has. Has he actually choked, or just gotten close? My daughter (13 mo.) picks up her food by the handful and shoves it in. Makes me nervous but if it's too much, she only has to cough once or twice and it clears (that sounds bad, right?). Cut everything into the size bite you think is appropriate. I wouldn't go back to mashed....he's probably been feeding himself so long that would get very messy. Demonstrate for him too...I've had to how my daughter how to bite certain things like crackers and chicken pieces. I make a silly face or sound to make her laugh as I crunch them in my teeth thinking she might copy me.

I would check the teeth, and if there's something coming in, give him softer foods, bananas, canned pears, cooked carrots, applesauce, mashed potatos, just mashed a little with a fork, even those little turkey stick things you find in the baby food aisle. Pasta is pretty soft too...my daughter loves the twisty noodles (rotini?). Then work him back up to the foods he's used to once the teeth come in.

[tangerinelullaby]

My Child tends to do that. He seem to have the knack of swallowing the whole thing. It appalls me but he may be just growing another tooth in the process.

Our kids are in the stage where they experiment a lot. Even if it meant that they'll choke on a food---I know this is scary. If you are worried about this, give her small portions of food or softer foods. :)

-Yvie

http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com

[MommaC]

How does he respond if you break up the cracker/cookie into bite-size piece for him? I'd give it to him whole...then when he shoves the whole thing in, take it out and break it up and give it to him. And model it for him (you eat a cracker too, taking small bites). He'll eventually get the idea.

[Shellberry]

my baby did/sometimes does the same thing- when she is 'starving' or if it is something she really likes she will shove the whole thing in and seemingly swallow it whole.
Like was mentioned- I just break certain things up for her.