Goals of Feeding Therapy for Kids

Every parent is concerned about the growth of the child. Due to certain conditions, many children face problems regarding feeding and swallowing issues.

Pediatric therapists suggest effective feeding therapy plans for children depending on their specific condition and age.

Let’s Decode Various Types Of Feeding Difficulties Children May Have

• Picky eating habits

• Acceptance of a limited number of accepted foods.

• Difficulty chewing and swallowing.

• Dislikings for various textures

• Reluctant to try new foods.

• Rigid or challenging mealtime behaviors.

• Refusing a certain category of foods

The Goal Of Feeding Therapy Is To-

Support children to learn and enjoy a variety of foods.

Address oral-motor delays, for instance, learning to chew properly and swallow food safely.

For Parents And Caregivers

Whether you are a parent or caregiver, you always play an important role in continuing feeding therapy at home. The therapists will collaboratively work with you to devise a strategic feeding therapy plan to help the child enjoy food without having any difficulties. 

 

The Therapists Will Recommend The Parents Or Caregivers The Below Things:

Never force your child to the next step in feeding or other routine activities.

You need to keep daily feeding routines consistent to let your child know what to expect.

When a child has feeding problems, parents should not show anger. Parents must understand the problems their children are going through.

A customized feeding plan may help both you and your child. Since your child starts to feed themselves, as a parent, you have more time to do other things with your child and time for yourself.

If your child is going through a feeding and swallowing disorder, let them take up a pediatric feeding therapy session in Dubai. The therapists will carefully check the condition of the kid and offer customized therapeutic solutions.

What Is Feeding Therapy?

It's more than just "training a youngster to eat" when it comes to feeding therapy. Therapists collaborate closely with patients and their families to identify the basis of a child's issues and build highly customized therapies to make the entire eating experience smoother and more joyful.

When Is It Appropriate To Refer A Child For Eating Therapy?

Mealtimes are a fantastic time for bonding and experiencing new things. Unfortunately, it may be a stressful and challenging period for some youngsters. If any of the behaviors listed below are interfering with a child's ability to eat safely, achieve nutritional needs, or enjoy the mealtime experience, pediatric feeding therapy may be beneficial.

• Your child finds food difficult to chew, and it is usually swallowed whole.
• Your child refuses to eat specific textures of food or finds it difficult to shift from one texture to another
• Certain food textures, temperatures, and/or flavors make him gag, avoid them, or make him extremely sensitive to them.
• Struggles with controlling and coordinating food movement in the mouth, chewing and swallowing.
• Feeding makes your child fussy or irritated.
• During or after feedings, the youngster appears to be congested.
• Coughs a lot while eating.
• When eating, he gags and chokes.
• Vomits frequently while or shortly after eating or drinking.
• Refuses to try new foods or only does so sometimes.
• Food is pushed away.
• Negative mealtime behaviors (baby cries, arches, pulls away from feeding; child refuses to eat, tantrums at mealtimes, or "shuts down" and does not participate in mealtime)
• During bottle or nursing, the infant shows indicators of difficulties coordinating the suck/swallow/breath rhythm.

Feeding therapy involves therapists working with children to teach them the skills they need to make mealtimes more fun and nutritious. Each child's skills are defined by the patient's demands and may differ from those listed below. Oral skills, food orientation, and improving the entire eating experience are the most prevalent abilities taught.

If your child has feeding disorders, you should look for a reliable pediatric clinic that offers feeding therapy in Dubai. The feeding therapists will assess the condition of your children and design the right therapy plan to address specific issues.

What Can You Expect from Feeding Therapy for Children?

Pediatric therapists can help babies improve their ability to suck from a bottle or drink from a cup. They can coordinate breathing while eating and help older babies learn to chew properly and feed themselves. In all, they can address developmental delays that may be experienced by children​. 

How Often Does Feeding Therapy Happen?

Feeding therapy may happen on a weekly basis. It can also happen every other week or once a month during a scheduled block of time. And each slot may usually last from 30 to 60 minutes long. During the session, your child will learn how to eat or how to eat new foods. 

Feeding therapy will also involve your child in sensory integration activities or completing exercises to strengthen the muscles they need for eating. It will depend on the underlying challenges of your child. A few examples of exercises are like blowing bubbles, making silly faces, or using whistles.

The Benefit of Feeding Therapy

A feeding plan will be recommended by the therapist for home and practice with specific feeding techniques. These are parts of a home therapy program, thereby your child will pick new skills, and learn more quickly. 

As most often, feeding therapy is done one-on-one with a child and a therapist. Group feeding therapy does also happen to achieve further goals, and that can be motivating too for kids. 

Who is Feeding Therapy for?

Usually, feeding therapy is very helpful and strongly recommended for those children who have difficulty actually eating. Children with special needs or medical challenges can be benefited from feeding therapy.