Complementary feeding in children with Down syndrome

After 6 months of age, the baby with Down syndrome is already prepared to start complementary feeding por, so we can start introducing fruits and vegetables in your diet. Many infants will not have any problem in this new stage since they have a greater oral motor development.However, some parents are afraid to introduce solid foods because they think the child might choke. In Guiainfantil.com we tell you what difficulties related to food can be parents of children with

Down syndrome and how to solve them. Problems in feeding children with Down syndrome Hay - There are children who tend to spit food because they find it difficult to take them to the side of the mouth to chew them.

- Other children, at the time of swallowing, do not raise the tongue, but move it forward and down, crushing the food against the upper teeth.

- Other problems associated with oral alterations such as malocclusion, tooth misalignment, bruxism or periodontal diseases can complicate the mastication of the child.

How to introduce complementary feeding in children with Down Syndrome Comen - Start at 6 months with a

semi-solid diet

, for this it is important to place the child in good posture: incorporated vertically and stimulate him to look for the spoon and open the mouth, never do it by force.

- The food must be well cookedor, in the case of fruit, ripe and soft. Dar - Give the food in small spoon, introducing small quantities in the central part of the mouth and repeat when the tongue is inside it. Press the tongue down with the spoon.

- If the child does not close his mouth to swallow, help him keep his mouth closed with his hand. - It is convenient that the child can see us and place ourselves in front of him

and establish eye contact.

- To help you learn to chew, you can gradually increase the consistency of the food, making pureed less liquid. You can also offer solid foods that melt easily in your mouth.

Consistency and patience will help the baby and the child with Down syndrome acquire the act of eating in the short or medium term. - Source

Down Spain