Why Is My Baby Spitting Out Food?

It's frustrating and nerve-wracking when your little one is taking bites of food, but then you see it all fall out of their mouth. Are they getting enough to eat? Are they unable to swallow? Are they a picky eater?

Well, here's some great news for you: For the majority of developing babies and toddlers, spitting out food is not only normal but a totally necessary part of learning to eat. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior can help you support your child through this important developmental stage.

It's More Simple Than Chewing and Swallowing

When starting on solids, your little one has to learn how to chew and swallow properly. Babies have a multitude of skills to practice and acquire. First, they need to work out what the food on their plate is. Then, they need to visually engage with the food. Once they recognize it as food, they need to know how to reach for it and grasp it. Finally, they require hand-eye coordination and motor planning skills to bring the food to their mouths. Once the food is in their mouth, the real magic happens.

The Complex Process of Eating

Once your little one has successfully managed to get some food into their mouth, there’s a lot going on before they can fully swallow it. Babies are born with oral reflexes to learn how to chew and swallow, but chewing requires a lot of motor skills, including moving the tongue, keeping the food on the side of the mouth for chewing, moving the jaw up and down to break up the food, and finally, transitioning the food back to the center of the mouth where it can be swallowed. This process, which seems simple to us, requires a lot of work for a little one.

Beyond the oral motor skills required to chew and swallow food, mature chewing also requires sensory awareness. Little ones need to learn when food is in their mouths and how to move it around to get it to where it needs to go.

Learning by Seeing and Doing

Little ones learn through connecting movement with sight and touch. Sometimes, they need visual feedback to understand how to move food and where it is in their mouth, as well as where it’s going. This is what’s happening when they spit out their food.

Little humans will attempt to chew food and then spit out semi-chewed food. This happens for two primary reasons:

1. Motor Planning Mistake: The child hasn’t yet learned the boundaries of their mouth, causing the food to move out of their mouth rather than sideways or backward to be swallowed.

2. Visual Inspection: The child needs to see that the food is chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

By seeing and touching the food they’ve spit out, little humans are learning about chewing. Often, they will spit out food, visually inspect it, and then put it right back in their mouths. It’s important to let them do this and not show any disgust (even though it may not look pleasant) because it’s just one way they solidify their chewing skills.

What to Do When Your Little Human Spits Out Food

Now that you have a better understanding of why your little human is spitting out food, let’s talk about what to do. The easiest answer? LET IT HAPPEN! Try not to intervene or show disapproval. Your little one is doing exactly what they should be doing to learn how to chew thoroughly.

In fact, take advantage of your little one spitting out food by talking to them about what they’re doing. For example, you could say, “WOW! Looks like you have a lot in your mouth. Was it too much? It seems like it was too much for your mouth, and you had to spit it out,” or “Great job! You’re doing such a great job learning to chew that. I think it fell out of your mouth. Let’s look and see.”

You might feel a bit silly doing this, but the more little humans are repetitively exposed to language explaining their actions, the more they grow and learn.

Handling Spitting Out Food in Public

If you’re taking your little one somewhere where spitting would be frowned upon (like your mom’s house or a dinner party), try not to fret. Here are some quick tips to help head off spitting out food:

1. Place Small Amounts of Food Within Reach: Offer small portions that are easy for your little one to handle, and refill when needed. This can help prevent them from being overwhelmed by too much food at once.

2. Make the Food Easy to Handle and Chew: Offer soft, easy-to-chew foods that your child can manage better, reducing the likelihood of spitting.

3. Be Prepared with a Response: If anyone comments on your child’s behavior, be ready with a calm and informative response. For example, if Uncle Roger makes a remark, you can say, “My little one is still learning to chew and swallow, and spitting is part of the learning process.”

Understanding the Developmental Process

It’s crucial to recognize that spitting out food is a normal and necessary part of the eating process for little humans. They are still figuring out how to chew and swallow effectively, and this skill takes time to develop. The best way to support your child during this stage is through constant, repetitive practice and allowing them the freedom to explore and visually inspect their food.

The Role of Patience in This Journey

Patience is key when dealing with a baby or toddler who is spitting out food. It’s important to remember that this phase is temporary, and with time, your little one will improve their eating skills. Encouraging them without showing frustration or disgust is vital for their confidence and progress.

When to Seek Professional Advice

While spitting out food is usually a normal part of development, there are instances where it might be a good idea to consult a pediatrician or feeding specialist. If your child is consistently spitting out food beyond the typical age range or if they are showing signs of distress, choking, or difficulty with other aspects of eating, it’s worth getting professional advice.

Encouraging Positive Eating Habits

As your child continues to learn how to eat, it’s essential to encourage positive eating habits. This includes creating a relaxed mealtime environment, offering a variety of foods, and modeling good eating behaviors. The more relaxed and supportive the atmosphere, the more confident your child will become in their eating abilities.

Conclusion

Spitting out food is a normal and necessary part of learning to eat, and it will continue for some time as your child develops their chewing and swallowing skills. The best way to help your little human learn is through constant, repetitive practice and by giving them the freedom to explore and visually inspect their food. Try not to react with disgust or disapproval. Instead, treat each instance of spitting out food as an opportunity to engage with your child and discuss what happened.

By understanding this behavior and responding positively, you can help your child build the skills they need for a lifetime of healthy eating. Remember, every bite is a step towards becoming a more confident and capable eater