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September 2015 Moms
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Oral aversion

troopersmomtroopersmom member
in September 2015 Moms
anyone have experience with oral aversions and GI dr sending kid to therapist?
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Re: Oral aversion

  • Kayciejoe56Kayciejoe56 member
    I am a pediatric occupational therapist and we do a ton of feeding/oral aversion therapy in our clinic.  It's becoming more and more common every year!  There are a lot of different things that could be causing an aversion, but the good news is the earlier you start, the easier it should be to improve!

    I know it sounds scary to have your lo referred out for therapy,  but OT (which I'm assuming is where you'll end up) is an awesome discipline and I think in the end you'll love having lo get that little bit of help.   Please let me know if you have any questions!!
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  • troopersmomtroopersmom member
    Thank you for replying! Yes, I have questions. What activities can we do with an 8 month old. He isn't sitting up yet, he is teething and fussy. It sounds like a horrible time.
    thank you for your time.
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  • troopersmomtroopersmom member
    Also just a bit of history:
    he was a month early and on feeding tubes in the nicu, he had a facial infection that caused a facial surgery at 7 months old. He hates when anything touches his mouth (hot or cold). He only likes his bottle. 
    He does a little better if he is in control and he puts something to his mouth but after he "tastes" it or it's in his mouth he cries upset. 
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  • Kayciejoe56Kayciejoe56 member
    Obviously I have to start with the disclaimer that I haven't seen your lo, so this isn't technically my professional advice... but I'm happy to help you with some ideas
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  • Kayciejoe56Kayciejoe56 member
    ^^^ OK I don't know where the rest went,  and I have to go grab another client... I'll repost my ideas on my next break!
    Sorry!!
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  • Kayciejoe56Kayciejoe56 member
    Alright,  let's try again :)
    A good place to start is some simple desensitization Outside and around the mouth.   A good progression would be: to start with a dry rough wash cloth around the face, then a cold or wet  wash cloth, and eventually something that will stick (ideally a puree/baby food).  The idea is just to get him used to having things on his face.   Start wherever he can tolerate, and move to the next step after a couple days.   You want him to be slightly uncomfortable but not stressed.   A few times a day,  just for a few minutes. 

    Another thing you could try is a kids electric toothbrush.   Let him control it.  A good time to play with this is when he can watch you brush your teeth so he gets the idea.   The vibration my scare him a little at first,  so it may be a week or so before he wants to put it near his face.  Don't force it,  just let him play/go at his own pace. 

    Finally,  messy play is great for kids with any type of sensory aversion.   Squirt some ketchup or put some pudding on his tray and just let him play!  No expectation to eat,  just get him used to sticky textures,  which will help with food later on. 

    I hope some of this helps! Let me know if you have more questions
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