Did you know that the path to clear speech and effortless eating begins even before birth? Oral reflexes aren't just "automatic responses" for infants—they're the foundations upon which speech skills and the ability to handle different food textures are built. We spoke with Aleksandra Derkacz, a speech therapist, neurologist, and early intervention expert, about why it's important to let your child "tire" while eating and how to wisely support oral development.
Aleksandra Derkacz, known online as "Pani Głoska" is a specialist with extensive experience working with infants and young children. In this installment of the Healthy Kids CLUUb, she explains that a speech therapist is not only a specialist in "pronouncing R's" but, above all, a guardian of proper digestive function from the very first days of a little one's life.
What are oral reflexes and why are they important?
Oral reflexes are neurological responses that develop prenatally. Their primary function is to prepare the baby for survival—that is, to eat and protect the respiratory tract.
Among the most important reflexes, our expert lists:
- Gag reflex: This is a safety feature. It protects the baby from choking by allowing them to expel a large bolus or liquid.
- Sucking reflex: The most well-known, crucial for breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
- Lateral reflex response: These are lateral movements of the tongue that prepare the baby to process food in the mouth and swallow efficiently.
If these reflexes do not develop properly, we may observe older children "hoarding" food in their cheeks or spitting out whole pieces that the toddler simply cannot handle.
Warning signs, or when to see a speech therapist
Parents often wonder if their child is eating healthily. Aleksandra Derkacz reassures us: a parent doesn't have to be a therapist, but they should be a careful observer. What should we be concerned about?
- Incorrect tongue position while feeding,
- Milk escaping from the corners of the mouth,
- Baby gets tired quickly at the breast or bottle,
- Reluctance to eat certain amounts of food.
Important: An expert warns against diagnosing a child using Google or artificial intelligence. Every baby is different, and a manual examination by a specialist is the only way to make a reliable diagnosis. A preventative visit every year or two is a great investment in your child's health.
Tongue position and malocclusion
The tongue is the strongest muscle in the mouth. Its proper resting position (on top, behind the teeth) is essential for proper swallowing. If the tongue "lies" down or presses against the teeth, it can lead to serious orthodontic problems.
Children often compensate for tongue difficulties by overworking their jaw (protruding or retracting it). This unphysiological position, if maintained for a long time, may require not only future orthodontic braces but also long-term speech therapy.
Teethers - design or function?
In the age of beautiful Scandinavian accessories, it's easy to get swept up in fashion. However, when it comes to teethers, function must take precedence over aesthetics.
- Size matters: The teether shouldn't be too large or too wide. Your baby should be able to fit it in their mouth so they can practice biting on both sides of their face.
- Symmetry: Chewing with only one side can lead to muscle asymmetry and bite problems.
-
Pain relief: A teether is not just a toy - it is a tool that massages the gums, cleans the tongue and prepares for expanding the diet.
It is important that the teether we give to the child supports these natural processes, and not just looks nice in photos.
Let your child “get tired”!
One of the most important takeaways from my conversation with our guest is the encouragement to... exercise. The modern world promotes quick and easy solutions: tubes, blending into a smooth paste, pacifiers with many holes that "just flow." However, the best stimulation for speech and dental development is precisely food with a firm consistency. A child must bite, chew, and "exert themselves" while eating. This is natural exercise for the facial muscles. Giving up exercise in infancy is a surefire path to speech therapy problems in preschool.
An appeal to parents: Prevention first and foremost
Let's remember: as parents, we take responsibility for how our little one will function in 15-20 years. Expanding their diet wisely, choosing the right accessories, and allowing their child to challenge themselves with eating are the best things we can do for their healthy smile.
Don't be afraid to consult. Often, a single visit to a speech therapist can dispel doubts or identify minor abnormalities (such as a shortened frenulum), which can be treated immediately but, if neglected, can impact the child's entire life.
The article is based on a conversation with Aleksandra Derkacz as part of the series "Healthy Kids CLUUb".
