Feeding disorders occur when someone has problems getting food or liquids into their mouth and/or chewing. It may or may not include problems with swallowing.
Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia, occur when someone has trouble
- managing food or drink after it’s been put into the mouth and
- moving it through the throat, to the esophagus (“food tube”), and into the stomach.
Feeding and swallowing problems usually happen because of other medical conditions but can also happen for unknown reasons.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help children with feeding and swallowing problems Signs of Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Your child may have a feeding or swallowing problem if they:
- arch their back or stiffen when feeding
- cry or fuss when feeding
- fall asleep when feeding
- have problems breastfeeding
- have trouble breathing while eating and drinking
- refuse to eat or drink
- eat only certain textures, such as soft food or crunchy food
- take a long time to eat
- pocket (which means to hold food in their mouth)
- have problems chewing
- cough or gag during meals
- drool a lot or have liquid come out of their mouth or nose
- get stuffy during meals
- have a gurgle, hoarse, or breathy voice during or after meals
- spit up or throw up a lot
- are not gaining weight or growing
Not every child has every sign listed here. Your child may show a few signs or many of them. Your child may be at risk for:
- dehydration or poor nutrition.
- food or liquid going into the airway, called aspiration.
- pneumonia or other lung infections
- negative feelings about eating because of pain, frustration, or embarrassment.
