Pediatric Feeding Therapy | IGNITE Pediatric Therapy

EXPERT PEDIATRIC FEEDING THERAPY SERVICES IN THE YOUNGSTOWN AREA

Our daughter was born with a cleft palate and Ignite Pediatric Therapy was there for us during a time when we felt lost and hopeless as we dealt with feeding challenges.

When we first got in touch with Maura at IGNITE Pediatric Therapy I was so afraid and so overwhelmed because I did not have any direction on how to assist my daughter and ensure she gained weight. Our family lives in Texas but we still stay in touch with IGNITE and I hope that is indicative of how confident we are in their services and the help I believe they can provide others.

- Carolina | Houston, TX

HOW DO I KNOW MY CHILD NEEDS FEEDING THERAPY?

Have you tried everything? Diet changes, formula changes, bottles, cups, spoons, hot food, cold food…nothing is working.

You are not alone. At least 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 are diagnosed with a pediatric feeding disorder in the U.S. alone*.

Often, your pediatrician will refer you to a feeding therapist if any of these situations are going unresolved for a prolonged period of time:

Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding difficulties, including latching, sucking or swallowing issues.
Extremely high selectivity about the foods they eat (picky eating).
Lack of desire or refusal of your child to expand their food choices as they grow older.
Problems transitioning from purees and soft foods to solid foods or refusal to try foods with certain textures.
Meals at your home take an excessively long time with continued choking or gagging.
Your child is not gaining weight as they are expected to due to lack of nutrition.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A CLINICAL FEEDING THERAPY SESSION

PREPARE

Schedule your evaluation at a time where they are hungry.
If possible, gather pediatrician visit and other medical specialist notes.
Prepare/gather food for the meal/snack, including drinks and all supplies (bottle, cup, bowl, spoon, fork, teethers, pacifier, swaddle blanket)
Set aside 1-3 food items that your child struggles eating or refuses to eat.
Set up your typical feeding area so that everything is ready (milk, chair, utensils, food, etc.).

EVALUATE

Your child’s motor skills (tongue, lip, cheek & jaw movements) with and without food.
Response to food (level of comfort versus stress).
Food inventory (types, textures, volume of food eaten).
Utensil use (bottle, cup, spoon, fork, etc.).
Positioning (in lap, in a high chair, booster, etc.).

DISCUSS

Talk about feeding concerns.
Medical and developmental history questions.
Feeding schedule and history questions.
Observation of your child eating a meal or snack
Trial of new feeding strategies and/or adjustments as needed.

REPORT

48 hours after the evaluation, you will receive a report with the following:

A summary of your child’s medical, developmental, and feeding history
Clinical impressions based on areas assessed.
Recommendations for continued or improved feeding
Referrals to medical providers if indicated.
Proposed feeding treatment plan, created specifically for your child.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF PEDIATRIC FEEDING THERAPY AND WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS?

Improving and developing healthy eating habits can vary in time from each child – there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Underlying medical and developmental conditions can be a determining factor in progress, and older children with complex difficulties may take months to see results.

Generally, IGNITE preaches a long-term perspective and patience with your child when it comes to developing their eating habits and may be able to give you a more accurate timeline after the initial evaluation.

ENCOURAGING HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR YOUR CHILD

FOR INFANTS

Gradually introduce solid foods after six months.
Start with softer foods and purees.
Offer a variety of different fruits and vegetables.
Avoid foods high in added sodium or sugars.
Give your infant finger foods to encourage self-feeding.
Eat a variety of healthy foods in front of them.
Introduce water in an age-appropriate cup.

FOR TODDLERS

Introduce a variety of foods – a “rainbow plate” – with whole grains, fruits, veggies, dairy and lean protein.
Find a way to make meals or snacks fun – the “airplane” sound with utensils is a popular demonstration.
When your toddler is old enough, let them pick out some of their foods at the grocery store.
Avoid sugary drinks and limit juice.
Do not use food as a reward.
Limit fast foods processed foods, and any others high in salt, sugar, or “bad” fats such as trans fats.

WHAT CAN I DO AS A PARENT OR CAREGIVER TO HELP?

Be patient – picky eaters and children with eating disorders do not magically develop good eating habits overnight.
Be persistent – just because something is not working one day does not mean it won’t catch on. Trust the process!
Be creative – there are a number of ways, particularly for toddlers and older, to make eating food a fun experience. Explore these to see what works for you and your child.