Landon & I had a Mommy & Son date night tonight while Daddy had dinner out with some friends. We made pizza & dessert together! When the cooking doesn’t require many “adult” tools like knifes, shredders and open flame, I try and involve Landon as much as I can. This is a great way for Landon to fight his Oral Defensiveness he has during mealtimes. Don’t know what Oral Defensiveness is?? Here is a brief definition: the inability to use the oral mechanism for functional speech or feeding including chewing, blowing or making specific sounds. To read a more detailed definition click here: http://www.psllcnj.com/oralmotor_disorders.htm
When I include Landon in the cooking, I have high hope that maybe it will help him become comfortable & familiar with the food. But you have to learn not to have high hopes, because most of the time it does not make Landon take a bite out of that cheeseburger, or spoonful of mac-n-cheese. Just take it one day at a time. Even with children who do not have Oral defensiveness, it takes an average of 20times to introduce a new food successfully. When my OT told me this little tidbit, I was kinda surprised. But the more I talk to friends who have young children, it seems right on the money.
Tonight with the cake, he mixed the batter, added the water and butter too. But when I asked him to put his finger in the bowl and lick the batter off his finger he went nuts. He shivered, squirmed in his chair and pushed the bowl away all in one fell swoop. If he only realized that while he was mixing, some batter ended up on his fingers. But for him to consciously make the decision to stick his finger in that “mushy mess”, is ridiculous for him. It does make me giggle but only for a minute because I know this is an issue I will have with him for many years to come.
As a mother, you want to be able to feed your child and help them gain the necessary nutrients they need to go up strong and healthy adults. Sometimes, I feel so helpless. From the very start, I was unable to provide Landon with certain nutritional needs, such as the ones that come from breastfeeding. I was unable to breastfeed with Landon due to my PKU. It wasn’t hard for me to accept at first since I was just so happy to be pregnant and was praying for a healthy child. Breastfeeding was the last thing on my mind. But as time went on, friends having more children, I wished I was able to breastfeed. Even if it only was for a little while. I just tell myself that he is here and that is all that matters. He is healthy despite the little he eats.
Landon- Food is good!! I swear it! Just look at Mommy’s hips! I will make you whatever you want, whenever you want it. I would take you out to dinner 5 times a week. Feel free to learn to talk tomorrow and tell me what you want for dinner and I will go to the market and pick it up!! If only this would come true!! Feel free to add suggestions for creative meals, snacks, smoothies made with spinach- I don’t care… I will try anything as this mother just wants to be able to feed her child!! Now I am hungry and damn-it, its 10pm! Oh well- Kitchen here I come!
Hungry Mom checking out-
Joy