Hi sir, my kid is 7 years and 11month old. She takes almost 1and half hour to finish her meal. She keeps her food in mouth and don't swallow it, what should I do.

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Accepted Answer

It's common for some children to take a long time to eat or hold food in their mouths, which can be frustrating. There are a few reasons why this might be happening and several strategies you can try to help your child develop better eating habits.

Possible Reasons for Slow Eating:

1. Lack of Interest in Food: She may not be very interested in the food, either because of the taste, texture, or simply because she’s distracted.

2. Distracted Eating: If she is watching TV, using a device, or talking a lot during meals, it may be slowing her down.

3. Oral Sensory Issues: Some children have sensory sensitivities and may not like the texture of certain foods, making them reluctant to chew and swallow.

4. Control or Attention-Seeking: Eating slowly could be a way for her to exert control or get extra attention.

5. Difficulty with Chewing or Swallowing: In rare cases, there might be an issue with the ability to chew or swallow food comfortably, though this is less common.

Strategies to Help:

1. Set a Time Limit:

Gently introduce a time limit for meals, such as 30–40 minutes, and make it a routine. Let her know that meals will be cleared after this time, and avoid forcing her to eat faster, but be consistent with the time limit.

2. Create a Positive Mealtime Environment:

Remove distractions like TV, phones, or toys during meals.

Make mealtimes a calm and enjoyable experience, avoiding pressure or punishments for slow eating.

3. Smaller Portions:

Serve smaller portions of food so she doesn’t feel overwhelmed. You can offer more food if she finishes quickly, which can also motivate her to eat at a better pace.

4. Involve Her in Meal Preparation:

Let her participate in planning or preparing meals. When children are involved in cooking, they may feel more excited to eat.

5. Chewing Practice:

Encourage her to chew her food well by turning it into a fun activity. You can say something like, “Let’s count how many times we chew before swallowing!”

6. Reward System:

Implement a reward system where she gets a small reward (like a sticker or a favorite activity) for finishing her meal within a reasonable time.

7. Offer Foods She Enjoys:

Include her favorite foods in the meal so she’s more interested in eating.

8. Monitor and Address Sensory Issues:

If she avoids certain textures or types of food, try to gradually introduce these in smaller amounts or modify them (e.g., making food softer or less chunky) until she becomes more comfortable.

When to Consult a Doctor or Therapist:

If you suspect she has issues with chewing or swallowing (choking, gagging, or coughing during meals), or if the behavior continues despite trying different strategies, it might be helpful to consult a pediatrician or a feeding therapist (speech-language pathologist).

The goal is to make mealtime a more enjoyable experience while gently encouraging her to eat at a steady pace. Patience, consistency, and creating a positive eating environment will help gradually improve the situation.