Deciding to use a G-tube for a baby is never an easy decision to make. And that’s because many parents think that their baby will never eat by mouth if a feeding tube is placed.
In reality, babies can eat by mouth and receive nourishment from the G-tube at the same time.
In fact, we strongly recommend it!
Let me break it down…
First of all, to live, babies have to breathe first.
Second, babies must be nourished, so they have the energy to grow and meet developmental milestones.
Only then, can they learn to eat by mouth.
Unfortunately, once the G-tube is placed, many well intentioned healthcare providers immediately move fast to provide 100% of the daily calorie needs through the G-tube into a very small stomach.
The reason for this is to protect the baby’s airway and nutrition. And these are the main reasons for the tube in the first place… right?
Right!
But sadly, the consequences of moving too fast… often beyond a baby’s ability to comfortably handle the milk… can make parents’ worst fears come true.
When a baby’s stomach is stretched too fast, it hurts.
And parents report that their babies have increased reflux and vomiting. Then, babies can stop eating altogether…because pain overrides their hunger drive and results in a fight or flight responses.
They can actually become fearful of eating.
Neina F. Ferguson, PhD., CCC-SLP
And, this explains why many parents report that babies stop eating when they receive a G-tube.
The good news is there is a better way that can preserve a baby’s ability to eat by mouth and meet their nutritional needs.
It’s possible to provide G-tube feedings in a way that maximizes a baby’s comfort, increases their hunger drive, and complements their development. Best of all, the baby can begin to accept eating orally while still being “tubed.”
To be honest, there is so much more to eating than sucking or chewing and swallowing.
Providing natural bonding experiences and age appropriate social interactions connect a baby with normal feeding opportunities. This helps ensure they will develop a more healthy relationship with food.
Who am I to offer this perspective? I am Neina Ferguson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. I’ve spent years working with babies in the NICU. And 20+ years researching and studying infant feeding/swallowing dysfunction. I own Tubes 2 Tables, a practice dedicated to helping parents understand how to transition their little ones from G-tubes to oral nutrition.
I have two questions…
Who cares most about a child’s health, well-being, and happiness?
Then, who should know the most about how to get a child from a G-tube to the table?
That is why we are here… To make sense of what the medical team is advising and help parents advocate for baby’s best opportunity to eat by mouth again.
I invite you to learn more about our program by filling out the form below:
Wishing you and your baby happy feedings and joyous mealtimes,
Dr Ferguson
Deciding to use a G-tube for a baby is never an easy decision to make. And that’s because many parents think that their baby will never eat by mouth if a feeding tube is placed.
In reality, babies can eat by mouth and receive nourishment from the G-tube at the same time.
In fact, we strongly recommend it!
Let me break it down…
First of all, to live, babies have to breathe first.
Second, babies must be nourished, so they have the energy to grow and meet developmental milestones.
Only then, can they learn to eat by mouth.
Unfortunately, once the G-tube is placed, many well intentioned healthcare providers immediately move fast to provide 100% of the daily calorie needs through the G-tube into a very small stomach.
The reason for this is to protect the baby’s airway and nutrition. And these are the main reasons for the tube in the first place… right?
Right!
But sadly, the consequences of moving too fast… often beyond a baby’s ability to comfortably handle the milk… can make parents’ worst fears come true.
When a baby’s stomach is stretched too fast, it hurts.
And parents report that their babies have increased reflux and vomiting. Then, babies can stop eating altogether…because pain overrides their hunger drive and results in a fight or flight responses.
They can actually become fearful of eating.
And, this explains why many parents report that babies stop eating when they receive a G-tube.
The good news is there is a better way that can preserve a baby’s ability to eat by mouth and meet their nutritional needs.
It’s possible to provide G-tube feedings in a way that maximizes a baby’s comfort, increases their hunger drive, and complements their development. Best of all, the baby can begin to accept eating orally while still being “tubed.”
To be honest, there is so much more to eating than sucking or chewing and swallowing.
Providing natural bonding experiences and age appropriate social interactions connect a baby with normal feeding opportunities. This helps ensure they will develop a more healthy relationship with food.
Who am I to offer this perspective? I am Neina Ferguson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. I’ve spent years working with babies in the NICU. And 20+ years researching and studying infant feeding/swallowing dysfunction. I own Tubes 2 Tables, a practice dedicated to helping parents understand how to transition their little ones from G-tubes to oral nutrition.
I have two questions…
Who cares most about a child’s health, well-being, and happiness?
Then, who should know the most about how to get a child from a G-tube to the table?
That is why we are here… To make sense of what the medical team is advising and help parents advocate for baby’s best opportunity to eat by mouth again.
I invite you to learn more about our program by filling out the form below:
Wishing you and your baby happy feedings and joyous mealtimes,
Dr Ferguson