Pretty soon I’ll be posting an update on Kara’s therapy goals and you’ll see how we’re working on strengthening her jaw. Thanks to low muscle tone, you often see her with her mouth partly open (with or without a protruding tongue) when in a relaxed position. Our end goal here is to have her in a resting position with her mouth closed.
(Spoiler: She’s making great strides in this area!)
This is an important step in oral-motor development!
So how do you strengthen a toddler’s jaw? With food, of course!
I’ve partnered with my good friend Hilarie from & we came up with some great snack ideas that your toddler will love to chow down on – all the while clueless that we’re sneaking in a jaw workout.
Hilarie & I met through the gym during a volleyball sign-up and have been friends ever since. Now she is a full-blown Texas foodie blogger that shares her love of plant-based food on her site BaumAssFoods, which you HAVE to check out. Even if you’re not vegan, even if you’re not a foodie, her recipes and mouth-watering photography will have your stomach growling.
For real.
Check out her blog: www.BaumAssFoods.com
Below, you’ll find snacks that your toddler will crave, but while they’re eating, they are building strength in the jaw which is especially great for someone like Kara, who has low muscle tone.
These snacks are crunchy, firm, chewy and/or long enough to fit back between the molars. It’s also very easy to adjust the level of strength that’s required by offering thinner or thicker slices, or by changing up any toppings. Start small!
Offer these snacks in-between or at the beginning of meal time so the muscles aren’t already fatigued. Also, make sure to keep in mind that its hard work for someone with low muscle tone to chew for long periods of time. It’s okay to take a break or call it quits.
Here is what we came up with – you’ll see a (v) next to any vegan items!
Apples & Cinnamon(v) – Remove core and cut into wedges. Continue cutting into thin slices & toss in cinnamon. Challenge them by leaving in wedge form!
Cheese Cubes – Start off with colby/jack, brie or mozzarella which are softer cheeses. Challenge them by dicing up some cheddar or gouda! These are great because you can play around with the thickness!
Chocolate Covered Fruit – Try oranges, strawberries, banana, apples etc. The chocolate provides an extra layer to bite through while the fruit keeps the taste interesting and healthful!
String Cheese – This one is a favorite for both kids and parents. Give them the whole stick if they’re feeling strong or make it a little easier by peeling down a couple layers!
Bagel & Cream Cheese – Slice into strips, dice in cubes, or challenge them by serving whole. For a (v)egan option, use Hilarie’s favorite cream cheese alternatives from Tofutti& Kite Hill
Soft Pretzels (v) – Another great option when you’re at a sporting event and forgot to grab snacks before leaving the house!
Cubed Tofu(v) – Marinade any way you like. Challenge them by coating in corn starch and baking/frying for a crispy texture!
Tortilla Wrap – Think cheese burrito, avocado wrap, peanut butter roll-up or hummus snack… Tearing into that tortilla really works the jaw and kids really go for it depending on their love for the contents 🙂
Jaw strength is important for oral-motor development & can be a struggle for those with low muscle tone. These snacks are a (mostly) healthy way to help to improve that while keeping your child engaged. The possibility are endless – use our list to get started!
She is such a little dolly in that blue dress! Thank you for sharing!
My little guy, Gunner, is almost 11 months and is starting to play with textures but is not quite ready for finger foods yet. Do you have any recommendations that you used for Kara to start introducing solid type foods?
Hi Meghan! Personally, we started Kara off with avocado, and then moved forward with sweet potato, they are still two of her favorites. Then I slowly started expanding her menu from there. (They say to wait four days in between new foods). All kids are so different – but my best advice would be to encourage different tastes and textures to hopefully avoid picky eating. Think of using spices & seasonings in Gunner’s foods to expand his palate (think cinnamon, oregano, garlic, etc.
If he has low muscle tone, using cold temperatures or bold tastes can really help stimulate those muscles & taste buds! I have a couple of posts under the Mealtime Inspiration category as well as a post on her feeding therapy that you might check out! Just type in the search bar!