Feeding Program
Medical Services >> Feeding Program
The purpose of the Inpatient Feeding Program is to develop strategies and recommendations for improving an infant or child’s feeding difficulties.
For more information, contact Inpatient Admissions at 617-254-3800, Ext 4400.
Program Goals
Feeding programs are designed for each child based on his or her current level of functioning and targeted goals. Depending upon the unique needs of the patient, goals may include:
- improve tolerance to oral stimulation and food textures.
- improve food or formula intake by mouth.
- reduce dependence on tube feeding and on special formula feedings.
- provide oral motor, behavioral and/or self-feeding strategies to be used by caregivers.
Program Description
Upon admission, each patient is examined and evaluated by the inpatient medical team. During this initial evaluation, the feeding plan from the referring facility is continued. Communication with the referring facility is essential for a smooth transition for the patient and family. Consults are sent to appropriate disciplines to assess the child. Following the assessment, a multidisciplinary team and a detailed treatment plan are developed.
Primary team members who are involved with the infants or child’s therapeutic feeding may include speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral psychology and nutrition. The parent or caregiver is an extremely important member of the team. All children, regardless of admitting diagnosis, are followed by a pediatrician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, nursing, a social worker and a case manager.
Other services may include pulmonology, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, audiology, dentistry and respiratory therapy. An individualized feeding program is designed for each child by therapists from various disciplines. Therapy sessions usually occur at designated mealtimes, typically at one meal per day. An integral component of the feeding program is family education. Therapists educate caregivers and staff members on the child’s feeding plan to ensure continuity of care. Family members and caregivers are often asked to attend therapeutic feeding sessions for observation, training and preparation for discharge.
Mealtimes are a wonderful opportunity for caregivers to interact with their children and learn from the therapists. If a child is fed by tube, meals typically are scheduled just prior to tube feedings. The team discusses each child’s progress and carryover goals in weekly team meetings. The length of stay for a patient in the feeding program is determined by the individual child’s needs and other active medical problems the child may have. Feeding therapists are experienced in providing treatment for even the youngest patients, including treatment of newborns that require environmental modifications, special types of bottles, positioning, handling, and/or oral motor techniques.