feeding & swallowing disorders

Children and adults who have problems with swallowing have a condition called dysphagia.

Problems with swallowing can occur at any stage of the eating process:

• When food is in the mouth

• When food passes into the esophagus

• When food passes into the stomach

Feeding disorders occur when an infant or child has problems gathering food and getting ready to suck, chew or swallow. Feeding disorders include problems with:

• Sucking from a bottle

• Spoon-feeding

• Chewing

• Transferring the food or liquid to the throat to swallow

• Self-feeding during mealtimes 

Children with feeding and swallowing disorders may be at risk for:

• Dehydration (excessive loss of fluids in the body)

• Poor nutrition

• Aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway)

• Pneumonia or repeated upper respiratory infections

• Isolation in social situations involving eating

Feeding Challenges & Signs to Watch

Some children experience difficulty with eating or drinking. Signs that your child may benefit from a feeding evaluation include:

• Arching or stiffening during meals

• Appearing irritable, tired, or less alert while eating

• Refusing certain foods or liquids

• Struggling with different textures of food

• Taking a long time to finish meals

• Difficulty chewing

• Coughing, gagging, or food/liquid coming out of the nose

• Trouble coordinating breathing while eating or drinking

• More congestion than usual during meals

• Frequent spitting up or vomiting

• Recurring respitory infections

• Slower-than-expected weight gain or growth

How We Evaluate Feeding Difficulties

To understand your child’s needs, a clinical feeding evaluation may be recommended. This includes:

• Talking with you about your child’s feeding history

• Checking the strength and movement of the muscles used for swallowing

• Observing how your child eats and drinks in real time

This helps us figure out exactly what’s causing the feeding challenge and guides the best plan for your child.