During the first year of my graduate program in speech-language pathology, I was very fortunate to be able to pursue my interest in breastfeeding support by completing an intensive lactation consultant certification program. As a student of both disciplines, I have observed the relationship between these professionals with great interest. In some ways, SLPs and IBCLCs are very much at odds with Keep Reading >>
Behavioral Treatment of Feeding Problems: Why and How by MaryLouise E. Kerwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D
MaryLouise E. Kerwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D Chair and Professor, Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Director, Center for Behavior Analysis Kerwin@rowan.edu Why are behavioral treatment approaches used with pediatric feeding problems? Answering this question requires an understanding of Keep Reading >>
How To Examine A Baby For Tongue-tie or Lip-Tie by Bobby Ghaheri, from the website DRGHAHERI.COM
I came across Dr. Ghaheri's website DRGHAHERI.COM after reading one of his blogs posted on the website Ages and Stages, http://www.agesandstages.net/. He generously gave me permission to re-post one of his blogs here on examining infants for tongue and lip tie. I am often asked about the frenulectomy's by parents, this website has been very helpful. Great information for feeding Keep Reading >>
Dr. Paul Hyman, Pediatric Gastrointestinal Motility Specialist explains the use of manometry and pain medicine in feeding intervention
Dyspepsia means that there is upper abdominal discomfort. In lots of folks with dyspepsia it gets worse after eating, or only happens after eating. In adults dyspepsia has been studied carefully. Endoscopy may show an inflammatory or acid-related disease that can be treated with drugs. However, most dyspepsia is functional, meaning that the symptoms are real but there is no easily discovered Keep Reading >>
Food refusal and Dysphagia: 3 Separate Cases
I thought I would write about 3 different but interesting cases of dysphagia with total food refusal. These children were all different ages but previously healthy children with no significant medical issues who began to refuse food to the point of total food refusal. They refused even their favorite foods, snacks foods, and candy. They each were referred for evaluation and were living on liquids Keep Reading >>
Using a Homemade Blenderized Tube Feeding Diet: Interview with Laura Schoenfeld, MPH, RD
1. Most therapists are familiar with the idea of using a blenderized tube feeding diet. Could you briefly describe what it means and talk about who you feel is a good candidate? Blenderized tube feedings are made of whole foods that have been pureed using a blender and delivered through a patient’s feeding tube. This feeding method has recently been gaining in popularity despite the Keep Reading >>
Aversive Feeding Behavior: Getting full mouth opening for the spoon and why it’s worth the trouble
Many children with feeding difficulty have aversive feeding behaviors or learned refusal patterns around the act of eating or feeding. I often tell my students that if a child doesn't want to eat, you can't make them. By the time children come to our feeding team, many caregivers have tried multiple ways to get there kids to eat. Usually they have tried force feeding and/or letting the child get Keep Reading >>
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Infants and Toddlers: What the Pediatric Feeding Therapist Should Know by Claire Kane Miller Ph.D.
(reprinted from The Pediatric Feeding and Dysphagia Newsletter, July 07, vol 8, no. 1, pg 6-8. ) Esophagitis (inflammation and swelling of the esophagus) is known to occur as a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment of GERD is necessary to heal injury, reduce inflammation and swelling of the esophageal mucosa, and to help relieve associated pain and discomfort Keep Reading >>