Did you know that a baby’s mealtime is more than just filling their tummy? It’s an essential exercise for developing their future speaking skills! Sucking, chewing, and swallowing are actions crucial for strengthening muscles used for speech formation. So, if a child has trouble eating or swallowing, it can delay their speech development. This article explores the surprising connection between feeding and swallowing issues with children and speech development and what might happen if there are challenges in these areas.

How is Speech Related to Feeding and Swallowing Issues with Children?

The oral-motor system is a network of muscles in and around the mouth, including the lips, tongue, and jaw. These muscles are crucial for feeding and swallowing, which safely bring food to the stomach, and for speech production, which forms sounds and words. Early feeding experiences help strengthen these muscles, laying the foundation for clear speech later in life.

What Causes Feeding and Swallowing Issues with Children?

Feeding difficulties and speech delays often co-occur due to several interconnected reasons. 

1. Sensitivities to certain textures or tastes can discourage the exploration of new foods and speech sounds.
2. The weakness of the oral muscles, crucial for speech production and feeding, can lead to children’s inability to control them as necessary.
3. Prolonged use of bottles or pacifiers can delay the development of essential oral-motor skills needed for feeding and speech.

How to Treat Feeding and Swallowing Issues with Children

If you suspect feeding or swallowing issues with children, this is when to see a speech therapist. A speech-language pathologist can assess your child’s oral-motor skills, feeding habits, and swallowing function. 

Here’s what to expect from speech therapy and feeding therapy:

Feeding Therapy

Changing food textures and liquid thickness can help children swallow safely as it allows them to get used to how food feels in their mouths and on their hands. Introducing children to different textures and tastes in a safe and supportive environment can also improve their feeding and sensory experiences and develop a positive relationship with eating.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy sessions can help address both feeding and speech issues. SLPs work with children to improve their articulation, language skills, and communication. What speech therapy techniques are used to address this issue? Sessions often include activities and exercises that target the muscles used for speech and swallowing, helping children develop the skills they need for both effective communication and safe eating.

Use Mylo Speech Buddy to Improve Your Child’s Quality of Life

By seeking professional help and implementing these strategies, you can effectively support your child’s feeding and speech development. To make the experience much more effective, enlist tools like Mylo Speech Buddy to help your child in their journey. Mylo is a speech development system designed to help individuals with speech delays and autism spectrum disorder. What are speech therapy services offered by Mylo? The app uses video modeling and clear enunciation guidance to help nonverbal children progress. Learn more about Mylo here.