7 Yo with Not Swallowing Saliva Issues

Aren't kids funny and weird sometimes? :) Here's a few ideas... The Discipline Book by Dr. Sears has a chapter on annoying habits that might be helpful. How about give her a cup with a straw, and make her "drink 3 big swallows" before she talks for a week or so? If that doesn't work, maybe she's old enough to say that spit grosses others out, and it's a private matter, therefore she may visit the bathroom frequently and deal with her "issue" with the door closed, or learn to swallow and be with people. That sounds kind of harsh, but it might do the trick if you think she's old enough. Good luck!

Just off the cuff, I would try something that she has to suck on that might help her digestion and make the spit taste better. There is a product out there that is a ginger wafer. It is kind of like a chewable vitamin C, (which could also help) but larger and thinner. People suck on them to help with nausea or acid reflux. Maybe she would get her back into the habit of swallowing. Otherwise, I might refuse to let her go anywhere until she stops. I would out to diner, to the movies, and not take her along until she chooses to act appropriately. If she can do that to go out, then she can do it all the time. Isn't parenting an amazing journey?

My son was constantly clearing his throat and driving me crazy. At first I thought he had a cold and then thought it could be his asthma (I tried using his inhaler to no avail), but after weeks of this I finally took him to the doctor. She could find nothing wrong with him and told me that they sometimes need some counseling. She simply told him to quit doing it and if he felt the need to clear his throat he should try drinking some water. We left her office and he was cured. I was amazed! Hope this helps.

L. M.

They have a fun exhibit at discovery gateway. It is sesame street..all about the body. It has a display about the mouth, stomach and digestive system. It might be a good thing to take her to and just show her how her body works.

It sounds like a new quirk and she knows it ticks you off. You have seemed to have covered all the right questions, now I say it is time to tell her you have to set up a Dr appt to have the Dr explain the same things you did, and implement punishment for the gross behavior. Spitting is so disgusting at any level!!! She is old enough to know what you are saying, she is just choosing to ignore it.

Hi R.,
Sorry, I haven't seen this, but my first thought was -- have you tried giving her chewing gum? I'm wondering if something like Juicy Fruit gum might help her get over the initial hesitation to swallow, since it would taste good and would make her produce a lot more saliva at first.

My daughter has a habit of twirling her hair - and it was starting to really thin out, so I emphathize with trying to overcome these types of habits.

Good luck!!
L.

I'd have her adnoids/tonsils checked. My brother did this, and it resolved (mostly) when he had his tonsils/adnoids removed.

Does it bother her teacher or friends? It might take someone other than you to get through to her that its sort of gross. I bet once one of her peers makes a big deal out of it, she'll stop. Otherwise, maybe have her talk to the doctor. I wonder if hearing that she needs to swallow her saliva from a "professional" might make a difference.

My sister's son has difficulty with eating and swallowing foods due to their texture... she was referred to an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration disorder. Children's Hospital could probably recommend someone. Perhaps a few sessions with someone trained in helping kids overcome things like this would help. I'd try to help her with this before it becomes too much of an ingrained habit. Good luck!

Any history of reflux that you know of?

This may be way off base - and if it is, please forgive me. I

t could be early stages of OCD and eating disorder.

I suffered from Anorexia for 11 years - nearly killed myself. So I tend to look at little girls weird behaviors a little differently.

Anorexia and related eating disorders are popping up in younger and younger children - thanks to our twisted media. And little girls 'hear' things from their friends, and big sisters, about what makes you 'fat' and little tricks you can do to keep from getting fat. Like not swallowing your saliva.

Only you will know if there could be a seed of eating disorder growing in your daughter. And I encourage you, if you think there might be the tiniest possibility, to do something about it immediately. Easting disorders are NOT something that will go away on their own. And they often start with OCD behaviors.

As I said in the beginning, please forgive me if this is not the case. You'd be surprised how many mothers go ballistic at the suggestion that their daughter may have an eating disorder - only to find themselves, many years later, in hospital wards fighting for their daughters lives.

Blessings,

M.

this might sound mean but try to make her swallow it and see what happens, maybe it upsets her tummy and she dosent know why, or maybe if she does swallow it she will see that there isent anything to worry about, again i am sorry if this sounds mean, but that is what i would do.good luck.

I've had problems with my 11 year old doing this. He only refuses to swallow when he's sick & it usually has to do with sinus drainage. (yuck) I don't know if this relates to your problem but here is what we do. Buy vitamin c drops for your child to suck on and if your not against it, let her chew gum. Make her brush her teeth more often & give allergy medicine as needed. We've explained the rules to our son & we still struggle at times. I hate finding spit in the sink. I just to try and remember that it grosses him out to swallow and he doesn't like the taste & he has to unerstand that there are right ways and wrong ways to deal with spit. Chances are, this is just a phase, but don't rule out calling physician. Try and stop if from becoming a habit. You might want to even check with your dentist. Maybe it's a cavity or mouth issue that your dentist might knows about. Good luck!!

We have a child at the day care I work at doing the exact same thing. Her behavior has been off the last little while too, but not anger. She has been very emotional and has cried over minute things often. Have you found out any other solutions? We are searching like crazy to find some answers for her.
Thanks!

I know this question is from months ago, but I think I just stumbled upon wise advice that all of us moms should know. It is a FREE replay of an interview with Donna Gates, who wrote "The Body Ecology Diet."
http://www.theawareshow.com/connect/gates/