How oral aversion in toddlers disrupts sleep and how to help.

Feb 24

As a parent, there's nothing more distressing than seeing your toddler suddenly refuse food. It's natural to worry about your child's well-being and to feel helpless when your efforts to encourage them to eat are met with resistance.

Oral aversion in toddlers can impact every aspect of their health and development, including sleep.

It's a difficult and emotional time, but with patience, understanding, and professional guidance, you can help your child overcome this challenge.

What is oral aversion?

Oral aversion is not just picky eating. It is a condition where a child doesn't want to eat and displays sensitivity when anything touches their mouth. Toddlers with oral aversion may avoid all food or refuse foods of certain types or textures. Oral aversion can significantly impact a toddler's overall health and development, and parents should seek professional medical support if they suspect their child may be suffering from the condition.

Symptoms of oral aversion can include:

Turning away from food
Gagging
Coughing
Choking
Refusal to nurse
Avoiding anything near the mouth
Failing to gain weight
Difficulty sleeping

Causes of oral aversion in toddlers

Behavior is communication, and your little one's oral aversion is likely the result of an underlying physical or emotional issue that they are not developmentally able to understand, let alone explain to you.

Not knowing what is causing your toddler's distress is heartbreaking, and parents often have to put their detective skills to the test to find the answer.

Here are the four most common causes of oral aversion in toddlers.

Sensory processing issues

Children with sensory processing issues may experience heightened sensitivity to particular textures, tastes, or smells, making tolerating certain foods and drinks difficult. For example, your toddler may happily eat anything that is pureed but refuses to take a bite of food that is lumpy. Sometimes the aversion is so severe that even the sight of it will cause gagging and vomiting.

Negative associations

A child that has experienced a traumatic event, like a choking incident, may develop a negative association with food and drink. Likewise, children who have been forced to eat may become so distressed by the experience that it leads to a deeply engrained anxiety around feeding.

Developmental delays

Toddlers with developmental delays, such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or cerebral palsy, may experience oral aversion. The cognitive, motor, and social delays associated with these conditions can impact a child's ability to communicate, coordinate movements, and process sensory information. These challenges can contribute to the development of oral aversion.

Other medical conditions

If your little one is struggling with oral aversion, it's essential to rule out medical conditions such as:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Food allergies
Gastrointestinal issues
Muscle weakness or anatomical abnormalities impacting swallowing

These conditions can cause pain, discomfort, or nausea when your toddler eats, resulting in avoidance and aversion.

Effects of oral aversion on sleep

There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and nutritional intake. The food your toddler eats impacts the quality of their sleep, and the quality of your little one's sleep influences their appetite and dietary choices.

When it comes to oral aversion in toddlers, this bidirectional relationship can create a vicious cycle and result in challenging sleep disturbances for your little one…and you.

Refusal to eat or drink before bed

Toddlers with oral aversion may be reluctant to eat or drink before bed, particularly if they have a fear of choking or vomiting. This can lead to hunger or thirst during the night, causing frequent night wakings.

Poor sleep due to insufficient nutritional intake

If your little one is not consuming enough calories, it can lead to deeper issues than night wakings due to hunger. Your toddler needs specific macronutrients to create the hormones required for sleep. In addition, low blood sugar levels from insufficient caloric intake can cause the body to release adrenaline, making it difficult for your little one to unwind.

How you can help your toddler with oral aversion

Oral aversion in toddlers is complex, and the wrong approach can further damage your child's relationship with food. The help your toddler needs will depend on what is causing the aversion, but with the right guidance and support, you will get your little one through this.

Consult with a medical specialist

If you think your toddler has developed oral aversion, you should consult a medical specialist for help and guidance on treatment. Pediatricians, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists can all play a role in providing the therapy and support your child needs.

Sensory play and desensitization techniques

Incorporating sensory play and desensitization techniques can be highly beneficial if your toddler struggles with sensory processing issues. For example, try encouraging your child to touch, smell and play with different foods without the pressure of eating them at all. Over time your little one may become more accepting and tolerant of different sensory experiences, making them less anxious at mealtimes.

Gradual exposure with positive reinforcement

Try gradually exposing your toddler to new foods and textures in a positive and supportive way. Consider setting up a reward system that acknowledges every small step your child makes in overcoming their anxiety. It's important to keep the process as fun as possible and avoid any negative comments or pressure.

Make sleep a priority

Oral aversion in toddlers can impact almost every aspect of their health and well-being. While the condition may cause challenges with sleep, there are things you can do to support your little one in getting the rest they need.

Here are four steps you can take to improve the quality of your toddler's sleep:

Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
Limit your toddler's screen time to avoid the disruption of melatonin.
Create a comfortable sleep environment that's dark and cozy.
Manage your little one's naps effectively so they don't disrupt the nighttime routine.

The team at My Sweet Sleeper is here to support you in any way we can. We offer one-on-one personalized coaching tailored to your unique child and specific situation. Together we can work with you to get your little one back on track.

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