Down syndrome is a genetic disorder which causes these children have special needs, and their food must also be because their condition can worsen if it is neglected.
* At first the children with Down syndrome grow faster and earlier than others, but in subsequent years the growth rate decreases, which leads them to have a lower height than average. As a result, food requirements are lower than average, but the “hunger” certainly does not diminish, leading to risk of overweight or obese, ie have a predisposition to obesity.
* It is also common that the child has hypothyroidism, which also affects overweight.
* Overweight and obesity in children with Down syndrome or supportive aggravate the typical complications of this disease, like heart disease and muscular hypotonia.
* In the Down syndrome child obesity conditions the small to suffer from obesity as an adult.
* These children usually have several problems in chewing, because it is common to have dental complications and lack of teeth (may not go until 4 or 5 years), abnormal distribution of teeth (they come out first molars and incisors then), a small mouth and large tongue, and have hypotonia or “weakening” of the jaw muscles. Poor chewing can result in problems of flatulence (gas) and constipation.
HOW TO BE THE FOOD HABITS OF A CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME
* Understand that it must insist that they stop eating all textured puree. Please make the effort of chewing muscle, will be more severe hypotonia. The pace of adaptation to different textures should be the same as other children, only instead of weeks, wait patiently for a few months.
* When you start feeding off the milk, must be careful to eat foods like texture, for example, mixing a mazamorrita watery with bits of cooked fruit, it introduces the risk of choking.
* Start with thick purees but smoothies. After that you can try pureed crushed with a fork (which is what should be the meals of children in general). In the case of meat can continue to use the blender.
* When you see that the child has mastered this, try food from frayed, meats, etc.. and see if the child can chew.
* Finally, although the child does not present all of your teeth, introduce food into pieces, or split the most difficult pieces and leave those who can chew gum.
* Remember to teach your child, as has the capacity to learn, you should take your time to chew food thoroughly and avoid, intestinal problems.
* Always supervise your child’s diet that is low in fat, and always preferred the plant type (olive, avocado, peanuts, pecans), but always controlled.
* You must have a balanced diet if you have diseases of the digestive tract will have restrictions, such as celiac children who can not eat gluten (wheat, barley, rye, etc.).
