How to Recognize Signs of Swallowing Problems in Children

You probably don’t think much about swallowing, until there’s a problem. For children with certain chronic diseases, swallowing troubles can be an ongoing challenge. They may not realize where the problem is, so here are some signs to pay attention to if you think your child might be having trouble swallowing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Watch for your child to cough or gag while eating or to complain of feeling like the food is going down “the wrong pipe.”
2. Listen for your child to speak with a wet, gurgly voice, which could point to food entering the lungs rather than being swallowed correctly.
3. Look at their body language. Children who have trouble swallowing might tense up, fidget or be distracted during meals.
4. Be aware of food or liquid dribbling out of your child’s mouth when eating.
5. Pay attention to your child’s weight, watching especially for unexplained weight loss.
6. Keep an eye on the clock. If it consistently takes your child longer to eat meals than everyone else, he might be having trouble swallowing.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your child to a speech-language pathologist if you suspect swallowing troubles. These specialists can examine your child’s swallow using a common test called the modified barium swallow.
• Take note of any foods or textures that seem to cause more problems.