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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
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Pinch grasp/Hand to mouth problems

amyliz33amyliz33 member
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

Hi ladies!

I have a 1 year old (just had bday on Thursday) who doesn't use his pointer and thumb to pick anything up, and still does not practice any hand to mouth when eating. He also has texture issues, so we are still in the process of introducing solids with more texture than just a puree. I started him at 6 months with baby food (pretty normal age) and tried to introduce real solids around 9 months. He was choking and coughing more than what seemed normal, so I ended up taking it pretty slow instead of forcing it. I'm only just now to the point where I can put pieces of food in his mouth that isn't spoon fed. (Banana, avocado, etc) Before we were just doing finely chopped veg or fruit mixed in baby food. So there has been some improvement, it's just a LONG process. (although I am proud of what he is able to do!)

I'm wondering if his aversion to texture/solids is related to not using pinch grasp or hand to mouth? I don't know if this is common, and I also don't know if there is anything specific I should be trying in order to encourage it! I try to always put something ON his tray instead of just feeding him, but he just uses both his pointer fingers to push it around. There is ZERO interest in putting it in his mouth. 

I figure if I just keep trying, with the food on the tray and different/new pieces of food he will eventually grow out of this stage.

Anyone have the same problem?  

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Re: Pinch grasp/Hand to mouth problems

  • blueonblackblueonblack member

    My  almost 11-month-old daughter doesn't have the pincer grasp or feed herself yet either and it is due to fine motor developmental delays.  She has other issues so we have been dealing with it through occupational therapy pretty much since she was born.  If I were in your shoes I would have my pediatrician refer to an occupational therapist for a screening or I would contact whatever early intervention program my state had for a screening.  

     

    My dd doesn't have the aversion to textures/solids so I'm not sure when those issues become a big deal...but if you are getting screened for possible fine motor delays it might be a good idea to have a speech path take a look at him while you are at it. We've had speech paths help us work on other feeding issues (my kid will eat purees til she's stuffed...but she won't drink!) and you might find it helpful even if it isn't necessary at this point.  

     

    Good luck!

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