Feeding Flock Research
The Feeding Flock is a group of dedicated researchers with aims of furthering our understanding of pediatric feeding disorders. Originally started at UNC-Chapel Hill by Dr. Suzanne Thoyre, the group now consists of researchers from different backgrounds and universities.
The Feeding Flock research team has developed a set of valid and reliable measures of feeding for assessment of feeding in infants and young children from birth to 7 years old.
Feeding Flock Assessment Tools: (website is under construction and should be available soon, February 2023)
Early Feeding Skills (EFS) Assessment
- Intended use: To be completed by a clinician for the assessment of breastfeeding or bottle feeding in infants less than 7 months old.
Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool – Breastfeeding (NeoEAT – Breastfeeding)
- Intended use: To be completed by a parent or primary care provider for the assessment of breastfeeding in infants less than 7 months old.
- There are 2 versions of this tool: The full version is intended for use in clinical practice and research. The Screener version (10 questions) is intended for clinical screening of infants to identify whether the full version is needed.
Neonatal Eating Assessment Tool – Bottle feeding (NeoEAT – Bottle feeding)
- Intended use: To be completed by a parent or primary care provider for the assessment of bottle feeding in infants less than 7 months old.
- There are 2 versions of this tool: The full version is intended for use in clinical practice and research. The Screener version (10 questions) is intended for clinical screening of infants to identify whether the full version is needed.
Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT)
- Intended use: To be completed by a parent or primary care provider for the assessment of symptoms of problematic feeding in children being offered solid foods between the ages of 6 months and 7 years old.
- There are 4 versions of the PediEAT: The full version is intended for use in clinical practice and research. There are 3 screening versions for ages 6-15 months, 15 months – 2.5 years, and 2.5-7 years. The screening versions are intended to screen children to identify whether the full version is needed.
Child Oral and Motor Proficency Scale (ChOMPS)
- Intended use: To be completed by a parent or primary care provider for the assessment of eating and related skills in children being offered solid foods between the ages of 6 months and 7 years old.
Family Management Measure of Feeding (FaMM Feed)
- Intended use: To be completed by a parent or primary care provider for the assessment of the family’s management style with regards to their child’s feeding. Intended to be used with families of children with feeding problems. Ages of children: birth to 18 years.
Impact of Feeding on the Parent and Family
- Intended use: To be completed by a parent or primary care provider for the assessment of the impact of the child’s feeding on the parent and family. Intended to be used with families of children with or without problematic feeding. Ages of children: birth to 18 years.