How can I persuade my 5 year old DS to swallow?

[BarbadosMama]

Like many, I suffer from a DS who takes forever to eat his food (unless of course it is pasta!) I have tried various incentives using timers etc, so far with limited effect. I have noticed that sometimes he chews and chews for ages without swallowing. Tonight we had fish and I could see that the fish was completely crushed to a mush but he was still not swallowing it. He must have held the fish in his mouth for about 5 minutes. If I chew food it is almost impossible to keep it from making its way to the back of my throat and then down.

I did keep him on baby bottled mush for a long time as a toddler (I learnt my lesson with DS2 and followed BLW). I have a nagging worry that by not introducing hard to chew food until late I may have messed up his swallowing reflex. Does anybody know whether this is possible and if so whether there is anything I can do about it?

[wrinklytum]

I think its a five year old boy thing rather than swallow reflex thing.My 4 yo drives me mad re eating.It takes him ages to finish a meal as he is to busy chatting...then he chews for AGES.....Don't even get me started on Getting Vegetables Down His Neck

[2boys2]

if he had a problem with his swallowing reflex then he wouldnt be able to eat any lumps. I'm sure chocolate, biscuits and other "healthy" food like that dont pose a problem for him!!! My ds1 (4.10) is EXACTLY the same and he drives me MAD MAD MAD!!! (phew rant over!!)