Feeding Tube Weaning
This is a hunger based approach.
Feeding tubes are crucial for some babies and children. They provide nutrition when a child is unable to swallow safely (dysphagia), who are too weak to eat orally, or are unable to keep food down without vomiting. Some children require a feeding tube long term, however, there are many who only require a feeding tube temporarily. That is where we come in. It is very common for children to be tube fed longer than medically necessary. We provide a step by step plan, working together with your child’s medical team. This may include dietitians, gastroenterologists, paediatricians and occupational therapists. Several factors are considered in determining if an infant or child is ready for our tube weaning program, including:
- Swallowing safety (a modified barium swallow assessment will be required)
- Oral motor skills readiness
- Stable health
- Digestive readiness
- Whether a child can identify their own hunger cues
- Can they tolerate bolus feeds via NG or PEG tube
- Home/community environments and support
What’s involved:
Before your initial assessment we will send you an in depth feeding case history form to complete for your child, and ask you to send us any previous reports (e.g. from a modified barium swallow assessment). Please take your time completing this intake form, as it will provide us with a comprehensive understanding of your child’s feeding history, and save time during your initial consultation. During the assessment, we will observe swallow safety and oral motor skills for feeding.
Based on these results, we will then determine whether it is suitable to commence feeding therapy sessions to establish oral readiness for tube weaning. Once this is achieved, we will then collaborate with your child’s medical team to help transition to oral food. Changing Tides is one of the few clinics in Australia offering neuromuscular electrical stimulation (VitalStim Plus) as part of our therapeutic services. VitalStim Plus Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that uses an electrical current to stimulate the muscles responsible for swallowing. It is the only FDA-cleared device for treatment of dysphagia (swallowing difficulty), and research has shown it can significantly improve swallowing skills. See State of the Art Technology for more info. Eligibility to be determined during initial assessment.
Goals may include:
- Create positive oral-feeding experiences
- Facilitate oral intake to meet nutrition-hydration needs
- Develop oral and pharyngeal motor skills (e.g. tongue range of movement) for eating age appropriate food textures. This may include using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (VitalStim Plus)
- Provide parent and family support, including what foods to offer and how to encourage oral-motor skills at home
Contact Changing Tides
Would you like to find out more information? Submit your questions and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to hearing from you!
Indigenous Acknowledgment
Changing Tides acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.