my 5yr old son keeps food in his mouth

[spice108]

well, it's not like it started now, it's been like this since he's 8 months old, well in the begining my mom told it might be hereditary as I used to do it when I was a baby, and around 1 and half yrs age, I changed....so she said it will go away not to worry too much and ignore, but it has been so many yrs he still does that, I don't know what to do, as he started school, everything is affecting, he eats breakfast reasonbly well, but he does eat his lunch, he wants to eat in the car, then not hungry for dinner it takes long time, he goes to bed late b'coz of this. I tried ignoring, tempting with prizes, taking away his fav things, but it has become a habit for him, no matter what I say do it just goes above his head, he's not underweight, he's very intelligent doing well in the school, caring n loving, keen helper, cann't say a single bad thing abt him, except to this habit, now like going out to parties n all, evrybody asks me does he still do tht, hw does he do tht, and starts advicing him, and he gets sad and doesn't want to go any where, please suggest me, I have tried evrything, if i want him to be healthy I have to sit with him for for an hour to make sure he eats something, but sometimes i loose my calm n everything goes downhill.....please help me out...

[anagha98]

Is you son eating better now ? My kid also has same issues. While searching on the internet I came across this thread.

[spice108]

Thank you, I'll try to that, and see how it goes....

[margypops]

I have to agree with your husband,I don't think you have intentionally reinforced it, its out of concern , I also think the behavior  gets him attention , so let him get on with it, make no issue ,he may give up .dont sit with him , give him plenty of time and let him think you are not worried about him .good luck.

[spice108]

txs for the reply, my husband is a psychiatrist, he blames me, he says over the period I have indirectly reinforced this behaviour in him, so he also tells me the time he starts stuffing you stop and try again later, so very confused!

[spice108]

Thanks a ton for the good links........I am going through them, l do hope I will find a solution.....

[spice108]

No he hasn't, if he really hungry and wants something he finishes with in 20mins

[spice108]

Txs so much for the reply, I'll try that, I always sit with him, If I don't sit he usually end up not eating, so all the three meals I do sit with him until he finishes, it wasn't a problem before, now he started his school, time is everything, as you rightly pointed and the end, may be somehow we are responsible.....I'll try to back of

[specialmom]

Yes, this is something that occupational therapists work on.  My son 'stuffs' which we've worked on with the ot and is not an issue anymore.  This involves putting 'everything' in the mouth at once and not chewing.  Then the food goes into the cheeks and sits.  choking hazard.  Unattractive at the table as well.  LOL  But again, our OT worked on this issue and we do not see this often anymore.  some kids with sensory also have trouble chewing and will hold food.  

Don't have any idea if this is going on but thought I'd mention it.

[littlebit667]

some links to check out!

http://www.mamapedia.com/article/holding-food-in-mouth-at-every-meal

http://www.new-vis.com/fym/papers/p-feed11.htm

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/oral-sensitivities.html

[specialmom]

Does he have trouble chewing?

[margypops]

I would take a step back it is possible he is reacting to your being upset with him ,As you used to do it and grew out of it as your mom said , maybe there is no problem. May i ask why you have to sit with him whilst he eats , let him sit at the table by himself.It is a fact children do not like  being rushed when they eat, if parents give children more time especially in the mornings getting the breakfast it would not be such a struggle .I know you want the best for him and are a caring mom, ,what I am saying is take a step back and let him it on with it, sometimes the more that is made of something the more it will become ..good luck