toddler eating question...

I have an almost 2 year old and last week she told me she was done eating and I took her out of her seat. About 45 minutes later I notice her cheeks are puffy, like she has food in them. Lo and behold she had a apple (chewed) still in her mouth. She will not swallow and that includes that saliva that was there. She would drool and whipe it off with her had. Now she is doing it all the time. We have never forced her to eat anything she doesn't like nor have we ever kept food from her. Other than just being gross, I am just afraid of her choking. Just wanted to know if you experienced mama's out there had and advise? Thanks!!

oh wow, I've had to literally sit Aspen down and make her stay there until she eats some, but I've never had that problem. I'm sure you've tried just telling her she can't do that because she'll choke, maybe if you make her swallow her food before she leaves the table? Make her show you her mouth. Short of that I'm not sure!! Good luck Mama! Let us know!

last night we left her at the table in her seat with food still in her mouth. If she didn't have anyone looking at her maybe it wouldn't be fun, that didn't work. We tell her to swallow, but she is almost 2 and strong willed. She didn't do it today, so maybe there is hope. Thanks!!

Have you asked if she wants to spit it out?

yes, we have asked her if she wants/need to spit the food out and she shakes her head no. She went a few days without doing it, but we went out to breakfast with my parents and she did it twice.

LOL it's probably just a phase for her... some kids have weird ones all their own - probably just a fun game - I'm sure she'll move past it and be fine. I would just try an make her show you her mouth before she gets down from the table - don't let her down until she swallows?

Wow, that's a new one!! LOL I'm sure it's a phase... kids sure are strange. I would tell her you're afraid of her choking and make her stay sitting at the table until the food is all gone. Good luck Mama!

I have no doubt it is a phase, one I am hoping she will grow out of sooner rather than later. Of course it doesn't help that she did it around other people who thought it was funny and laughed. We have kept her at the table and 45 minuted later the food is still in her mouth. Thatnks for all your ideas!!

wow!! 45 minutes?!?! It certainly doesn't help when people laugh - we've had problems with stuff because of that too! Sometimes it's just too hard not to!

I know 45 minutes...I was impressed!! It is easier to laugh when it is not your own child. So far things have been better, but you know as soon as i say that it'll go back.