Chomp Chomp Chomp

My child bites the straw when drinking.  Is this a problem? 

As a feeding therapist, I often get asked if biting the straw while drinking from it is a problem.  My answer to them is typically more questions! There are times that it can be a sign of something else going on (weakness), or it could just be something they do (a habit or more sensory).  Here are a few of the questions I ask families to get more information to help me determine what may be going on: 

1. Are there any other difficulties with speech or feeding going on?  

1. Can you understand what they are saying, or is it difficult to understand them? 

1. Do they chew on it all the time or only occasionally? 

1. Do they keep their jaw closed on the straw when drawing up liquid? 

1. Do they chew so hard that they bite off chunks of the straw? 

1. How much of the straw is in their mouth when they are drinking? 

The answers to these questions can give us more information on if there is some weakness in the jaw that can make drinking from a straw hard and can impact other areas of their lives.  If there is weakness in the jaw, it makes it hard to move the tongue separate from it, which can impact sounds and feeding skills! If you have specific questions about your child’s biting on the straw, do not hesitate to ask any of us! 

-Amber-