Use your parental judgment to determine what is the right time—most parents crack down around preschool age or whenever open-mouth chewing becomes an issue. There are pros and cons to starting earlier or later—younger children are more moldable, but need more constant reminding and teaching. Older children can understand closed mouth chewing better, but it can be more difficult to change their habits.
Your toddler is not expected to sit through a 30 minute lecture on what good table manners are, but gentle reminders every day or before and during mealtimes will be helpful. It can also help to use visual cues for your toddlers such as raising your hand (not too high, just in level with your face) when they start chewing with an open mouth. This can give them a gentle, non-verbal reminder that they should close their mouths. [3] X Research source
Telling your child why we chew with our mouths closed and setting expectations that everyone at the dinner table will chew with their mouths closed makes it easier for children to want to follow the new rule. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/2/2e/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/2/2e/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet1. jpg/aid5212461-v4-728px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Show your child how it is done by taking small bites and slowly putting each bite in your mouth. Teach them the proper technique and make sure they know exactly what to do. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/8/80/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/8/80/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet2. jpg/aid5212461-v4-728px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Take advantage of resources to show your child proper table etiquette. Picture books, such as “How Dinosaurs Eat Their Food” and “Dinner with Olivia” are effective for teaching toddlers and preschoolers the right technique and why it is so important. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/b/be/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet3. jpg/v4-460px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/b/be/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet3. jpg/aid5212461-v4-728px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-3Bullet3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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Encourage older children to chew with their mouths closed as well, to set a positive example for the younger children from all members of the family. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/f/f1/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-4Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/f/f1/Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/aid5212461-v4-728px-Teach-Your-Child-to-Chew-with-Her-Mouth-Closed-Step-4Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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Depending on the ages of the child, this can be as simple as raising a hand when they chew with their mouth open or pointing to your mouth to remind them of the proper way to eat. When your child doesn’t chew with their mouth closed, take a minute to remind them of the proper technique.
Slow things down at dinner by encouraging everyone to take smaller, slower bites and show proper chewing technique. You may need to stop your young child after every bite to remind them to close their mouth, but repetitious reminders can lead to strong results.
Consider making a sticker chart for each meal your child eats with their mouth closed, or offer incentives like later bedtimes or fun play dates if they chew with their mouth closed for a certain number of days in a row. Rewards are dependent on the age and personality of each child, so use your parental judgment to create a system that works best for your child. [6] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source You can also reward smaller children by serving their favorite foods at mealtime. This not only creates a positive connection between chewing with their mouth closed and mealtime, but makes them excited to eat every day.
These can sometimes create a negative association with mealtimes, but can also be powerful motivators to encouraging good behavior. Again, tailor the consequences to each child. Possible options include removing the child from the dinner table, making them eat alone, or taking away a toy or fun activity.
Sometimes, when the adenoids are enlarged, the child will have difficulty breathing through the nose. The child will constantly keep their mouth open in order to breathe well, especially when eating. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Pediatric epiglottitis is different from the same condition in adults in that the epiglottis is more forward located in the throat, thereby becoming more prone to bacterial infections. The most common cause of epiglottitis in children is the Haemophilus influenza type B bacteria. When an infection in the epiglottis sets in, it is almost always accompanied by inflammation. When this happens in children, there will be fever, sore throat, high pitched breathing sound or stridor, difficulty chewing with mouth closed and difficulty swallowing. There will be evident drooling and a general restless behavior. If you suspect that your child may suddenly have developed an inflamed epiglottis, seek medical help immediately as this is potentially life threatening.
Infections and inflammation of the soft tissue in the throat, coupled with cold symptoms usually make it difficult for anyone to breath normally, much more in a toddler. So before worrying why your toddler is not eating normally “like all the other kids”, try to be an observant parent first and find out if there is a reason behind the problem.
