When infants are not able to adequately or safely take their food orally, they require the use of tube feeding. Such a method is considered as a temporary feeding program for young children. Liquids and food that have more hydrates and nutrients that help the child to thrive are well inserted in the tube using the stomach or nose. The home based tube weaning program is useful until the child is recommended for oral feeding.
A transition will be required from tube feeding toward oral feeding. Such a process is known as tube weaning. Different children might have some difficulties while undergoing such a process. Different children develop some growth reduction and addition of anxiety to both the family and the child.
Challenges with tube weaning can arise when the young one depends on tube feeding. This will mean that they are not understanding or accepting food benefits. You will, therefore, need to start the tube weaning process when you find your child is ready for it. It is advisable not to force your child to eat food if they have no motivation. Doing so, you will find some opposite effects causing some negative images toward food.
Your child may indicate the readiness to feed orally when they have food interest. What they will do is watching or playing with food intently when you are eating. When your child is having self-awareness and monitoring skills, you will need to wean them. Doing so, they will have the ability to monitor their hunger and appropriately learn how to deal with this.
What you require before tube weaning attempt with your young one is the medical guidance from a medical professional. A language and speech therapist can make sure your child can effectively and safely swallow thicknesses before the introduction of oral feeding.
It is good to know that eating and speech go hand in hand. The language and speech therapists have expertise on the throat and mount movements. Such movements will be vital for the effectiveness of swallowing, drinking, and eating.
A language and speech therapy home based tube weaning program will be child-centered. The primary thing will include their goals, which need more consideration, and then therapy leads them. A therapist of language and speech will create some experiences that are linkable to the child’s drink, foot, and mouth. With that, you will find the child is developing effective and safe feeding skills.
