How do you know, or figure out if, your baby has sensory problems or if they are just afraid to eat cause they know it's going to hurt them?

The OT we saw suggested that since Sydney's older brother has sensory processing disorder, that she probably has it too seeing as she gags when she puts certain toys in her mouth.

I am not sure. The OT in the ask the OT forum is very Knowledgeable about feeding issues. You may want to tell her about Sydney and see what she has to say.

My personal experience is that it can go hand in hand. Essentially, if you have a child who misses starting solids during that all important feeding window of between 4 to 8 months of age, then they are most definately going to have some sensory issues at play as they are delayed in oral processing.

My middle son ate like a champion, puked it all up again, but would go back for more. Yet, he did have and still does have some texture and sensory issues. They are minor in comparison to my youngest son who would not eat at all and did not start solids (stage one purees) until he was nearly 15 months of age. Since then, it has been a rough go sensory-wise. A few of the OTs I have dealt with have said the same thing and most have told me that it will eventually subside as therapy progresses.

The longer it takes to obtain help, the longer the recovery time. A guage I was given was that if your child does not begin to eat solids until 15 months then your delay is as follows:

15 - 4 (age of start for solids-anticipated age for start of solids)

This delay is a guideline only and has many variables. The delay is not 100% caught up by the time you have 'closed the gap' (in this case, 11 months), but it is considered to be nearly closed in most cases who get help. In our case, it was not.

Leigh ~ I'm gonna sound like a dummy, but I totally don't understand the gauge. How does it work?

And what is your oppinion on this. Syd is just over 8 months, and is really only eating 5 things. Will it be harder to introduce other things to her later on?
Also, could it be that it's a sensory thing that she will only eat things that have been warmed up? Not even if they are room temp will she touch them, they have to be warm.