Feeding Clinic tips

[Anonymous]

Ok, so I forgot the sheet they gave me but since it’s been a couple of days already, I thought I’d post from memory/what I’ve been doing. The tips really helped us alot and I hope it can help some of you. It all seems so obvious but yet again, we weren’t doing it. Sometimes we overlook the simpliest way I guess. We had a great visit and prior Ian literally wouldn’t eat anything for days (solids that is-he’s had/has a nasty virus that’s lingering. My guess is he got self protective and thought food does this to me……but who knows). By the end of our visit he ate 4 oz of squash. So here goes;

1-Must be in highchair. Have his food and a box of favorite toys (only to be used during feeds)

2-Offer him a toy to be used during feed

3-Play with the toy for a minute or two then put down. Then put a small spoonful of food in his mouth to get a taste (yes, she said just push it in there if you have to-I was so careful not to forcefeed until she told me to on the first bite).

4-Say “open” as a command (nice but firm) Wait a few seconds (5) and if he does not open, pull back and look away like you’re having no fun. Same goes for if he gags, cries, or screams.

5-If he opens, put the food in his mouth and cheer him on. Thais and I go to the same clinic but I think our doctors had different approaches on this point. Ours literally had us clapping, cheering, singing, dancing, and making duck sounds. She said once he gets the idea, we will tone it way down (which we now have) but the idea is for him to associate food with fun. You also give him his toy every 4-5 bites. Wait approximately 15-20 sec between bites.

6-Again, if he rejects or gags, pull back like you’re having no fun at all and don’t want to play. No attention at all (same if he spits food out) If he keeps screaming or crying for sev. seconds, stop the meal and try later-it means he really doesnt want it.

The whole idea is the baby wants to please his parents and if he knows he has to sit there, why not have fun too. This concerns dh and I a little (especially in the am at about his 9am feed-I’m not sure if he’s not hungry yet, or tired, etc, or maybe because we try new foods then and there always is an adjustment period) but sometimes we feel like we’re forcing him-as if he can’t determine when he’s hungry or not and he’s just going through the motions to please us. Honestly, he’ll keep eating continuously but does not seem earnest. The afternoon feed is completely different-he goes whole hog-and loves it. But what can I do? They still want us to get in 4 bottles for calories until he can do grains and meats. I just don’t think he has time to get hungry so we have to train him that food isn’t the reason he get’s colds etc like he knew with reflux.

Good news-almost crawling-full fledged and on all fours and moved a little bit today! He’s also eating 7 foods now. Although HATES green beans (I have to mix a little with pears but want to continue for the ruffage) and he does get fussy on them. But no other symptoms so since it’s only been a week I want to see if his system adjusts because they’ve helped constipation.

I hope this can help anyone out there as it was a miracle for us. Keep sticking with it as it took us an hour to get the hang. And again, it does seem so obvious but I keep forgetting the babies are changing every day and what didn’t work yesterday,might today.

Tracy (Ian’s Mom 9-26-05) Elecare and Prevacid

[Anonymous]

Hey there Tracy – thanks for posting this! Interesting – in some ways
seems pretty extreme to me (and I don’t mean that in a bad way) but I guess that’s often necessary for
babies who really won’t eat and it sounds like it’s working well for him. I know what you mean about not knowing if
he’s hungry or just going through the motions. So if he gags or spits
out do you try again with another bite? What if he pushes food away and
clamps mouth shut? I only ask because Marisa still gags on many
textures and then will clamp shut – but I try not to push the matter
since she’ll eat enough other things.

Perhaps he’s too tired at his 9am feed? What time is he waking and
napping? I know M doesn’t eat her solids well if she’s too tired.

Great news with the crawling!!! Marisa hated green beans at first too but now likes them mixed with peas and carrots.

knb182006-6-14 16:34:39

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting. Emma still won’t eat, it is bites here and there and she refuses all fruits and veggies. I have a question, what do they say if they refuse to go in the highchair? Emma is 15 months and does not want anything to do with it since around 12 months. She is so active, we just leave food around and hope she eats it.

[Anonymous]

I love the toy idea! I always gave my girls toys when they were first learning to sit in their high chair and eat, and i give Myles toys, but I never thought of the “special toys” idea. I did use “special toys” for potty training and it helped alot. Liza had a little basket of toys she only got to play with while sitting on the pot waiting for nature to take it’s course. It really helped her to stay put and to think of potty time as a positive thing. So, I think special toys for mealtime is a terrific idea. Thanks for posting! I am going to try it with Myles. He’s eating is not bad, but he defintely would rather be doing something else, so maybe special toys will make meal time more fun for him, too.

The looking away also sounds like a very good idea. It’s a gentle way to NOT reinforce a negative behavior. The baby wants your approval and looking away is a gentle way of not giving it instead of getting exasperated, impatient, or angry which probably just increases the baby’s anxiety about eating. I really like that idea. It’s so easy to get frustrated when they won’t eat. These ideas sound terrific. I think they’re even good for babies without true feeding aversions.

I’m so happy to hear that Ian is eating better already!

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone-

Karen-They told me if he gags or spits it out, to pull back and act disinterested. As if you’re not having any fun and then you don’t want to play or cheer anymore. If she clamps up, same thing. Then try in another 20sec. Hold spoon in front of her saying “open” for 5 seconds. If no, repeat sequence a couple of times. If she still won’t eat. Just stop meal and go to normal routine. That mean’s the child is really not interested. I agree, it is rigid by my usual standards but I’ve never had him refuse twice since doing it. I just feel bad because he seems complacent but whatever works right now. He goes to bed about 8pm and wakes about 6:30-7am (we’ve been really lucky). Has his bottle by 7, then solids about 8:30-9am because he naps by 9:30. Alot of this is dictated by going to my office and commuting. He wakes at about 10:30-11 and has a bottle at 11:30am. Feels like there is no time. Not sure about green beans yet-he’s just soooo fussy all day but no audible gas…who knows right? I’m sticking with it for now.

Brandy-Ian doesn’t love his highchair either and cries when we put him in it. But we just cheer and pull out the toys and that seems to help. If she refuses, I would just pull back like you’re having no fun. Can’t guarantee it would work but it’s my best guess. Ian’s same way-would absolutely rather play then eat.

Christine-Yes, I agree the toys idea is inspired! And I never feel really cold when I pull back so I guess that’s ok. How’s Myles doing? What foods is he eating these days? Glad to hear everything ‘s going better.

Ok, just had to take a break because Ian was screaming bloody murder in his crib..He’s been so fussy all day and short naps (waking himself up)…Overtired? Is it possible it is green beans? He had them in the am though? Also, switched to healthy times brand babyfood because it’s organic but they say they don’t cross contaminate-has anyone heard of a baby reacting to one brand over another when they were doing fine? Teething? Ok…I’m maybe just panicing. He just is not usually like this?

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for posting Tracy. Sounds good to me. The only thing that I worry about is the forcing in the first bite… I don’t like the idea of force feeding. It worries me. I’m so glad it’s working for Ian. Also good news about the crawling!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tracy. I’m also confused because Marisa will refuse something if
it’s too lumpy or slimy. But would I then stop meal or let her have the
foods she wants? I would think let her have the foods she wants since
she is eating and hungry…

Perhaps you could do solids by 8:30 instead of closer to 9 – maybe
he’ll be less tired then? And can you slightly reduce # of ounces in
morning bottle so he’s hungrier? How many ounces is he currently having?

I’d guess it could be teething but it’s so hard to tell. If it keeps up maybe stop the green beans just to see?

I know what you mean Lori, it worries me too. Luckily, Marisa will
taste something before deciding she doesn’t want it – I almost never
have a problem with the first bite…

[Anonymous]

Tracy,

I hope Ian is feeling better soon. I gave Myles bananas tonight for the first time in weeks and he threw up his bedtime bottle tonight. That’s the first time in three weeks that he’s thrown up…and after I posted about his amazing progess in the Hip Hip Hooray Section! This reflux thing is so darn discouraging at times. We’re always second guessing ourselves and trying to figure out what it could be. I hope Ian is fine tomorrow and his fussiness was just a short term thing. Myles is teething, too. So, maybe it’s that for both of them. Hope tomorrow is better.

Christine

[Anonymous]

Ian had a terrible night-whimpering, restless, crying bouts so took him to Dr. today and sure enought-it’s his ears! We didn’t even think of that but he was arching every time I laid him down to change his diapers and thought it was reflux flare up. But no-looks like pressure. We keep giving each other this nasty virus/cold for a couple of weeks now (I have a lot of pressure in my head/ears). Knew it couldn’t be green beans when he was fussy this morning. He doesn’t have an ear infection but they say the walls kind of caved in (not quite sure how they explained it-but made sense at the time). Basically one ear is healing and one is in big flare up mode. Probably started yesterday. She said if he doesnt feel better by Sat. am to have him come in again. That means it will have become an ear infection (on the verge now). We’re to up motrin dose and use warm compresses to hopefully avoid antibiotics. My poor little baby!

K-I wish I had advice on texture-we’re just not there yet unfortunately. Next visit to clinic is in a month and we’re to start then. I would just give her what she likes IMO. Like sippy cup, just keep introducing it and maybe she’ll surprise you?

Lori-yes, the forcing first bite thing made me uncomfortable too, but maybe I’m not writing the instructions down well. It’s more just put the bite in his mouth (only on first bite) to get him to have a taste. We don’t even have to do it anymore since this technique. But Ian just didn’t have an interest and kept looking around everywhere. Once he had the bite, it was like…’this is kind of good’ or even ‘I’m not sure about this…but ok”. BUT the caveat is Ian didn’t (and hasn’t yet) clamp his mouth ever. So it wasn’t a hard force. I would use your judgement if Hailey does that. I don’t know that I’d have the heart to put it in if he fought really hard and pursed his lips but maybe you could just try it once…Feeding Clinic said Ian needs to know that we’re the parents and sometimes we know best. It’s so hard sometimes isn’t it?

Christine-Oh I’m sorry to hear that about Myles! Teething makes everything worse and it’s possible maybe too much banana. Once I switch foods for a couple of days and then go back, I always have to start with a lower amount to get him adjusted again. Sooo many things to consider!

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Hi Tracy,

Sorry to hear about Ian’s ears. It’s always something, isn’t it? Myles thankfully is better today, but Liza woke up looking green (YIKES). I wondered if I should call 911. (Just kidding!) She was listless, no appetite, etc. Ate a tiny bit of breakfast, threw up….but seems much better now and wants to eat. So, maybe Myles had a little bug, and now Liza’s got it. It’s so hard when they’re sick.

You’re probably right about the banana, though. I gave him a whole jar…probably should have stopped after a few bites. This time I’ll go slower with them. Thanks.

I hope Ian’s ears clear up and he doesn’t have to go on antibiotics. I never understand the doctor’s explanation about the ears…fluid…pressure…red, bulging, maybe infected, maybe not. I always leave just hoping the doc knows what he/she is talking about and keep my fingers crossed. I hope Ian feels better soon.

Christine

[Anonymous]

Oh no – poor Ian! That sounds painful. I hope the Motrin and warm
compresses help and it doesn’t turn into an infection. Maybe extra
fluids and rest to help ward it off too? Keep us posted.

You’ll have to let me know next month what they say about textures. I
think instead of mixing her veggies with oatmeal tonight I may try
mixing them with Riso – it’s tiny pasta, like pastina (but pastina has
egg yolks) – but very small and soft so hopefully a good way to start –
particularly mixed with something like sweet potato which she loves?
We’ll see.

Christine – I’m glad Myles feels better but poor Liza. Hope everyone feels better soon.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. The doctor said main thing is keep him drinking which of course he’s refusing because of pain. We’re trying pedialyte but no weight gain today again. Thankfully he’s tall and born big. I’m praying no antibiotics please!! Last time was a disaster and we’ve pulled back again on probiotics because they always seem to aggravate. Getting better on them – it takes about 6 days for reaction as opposed to 1 so that’s a step forward. But diarrhea last time for 2 months and no tolerating solids. I even went to infectious disease doc we were so concerned.

Christine-I’m so sorry about Liza. Myles most likely caught it too. Cross my fingers they feel better.

Karen-I’ll definitely keep you posted. We actually called Early Intervention and they’re going to come to our apartment to evaluate. We’ll still go to the clinic for the doctor of feeding issues but it’s too far for OT. Even though Ian’s doing so well in many areas, he’s still not babbling at all. Just squeals and raspberries. It’s free so why not right? We’ve had some people tell us wonderful things and they even told me today they could have a nutritionist work with us since Ian’s not eating too much or having good weight gain. That’s the best perk because the nutritionist linked to Mt. Sinai’s allergy team doesnt take insurance. So maybe they’ll have texture tips too that I can pass along. Pasta sounds like a great way to ween her in.

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Many babies do take longer to babble – it sounds to me like Ian’s a
very physical guy – hence starting to crawl and all the pulling up.
Marisa’s pretty similar – does babble but not as much as other babies
her age – she’s SO focused on crawling, pulling, trying to walk. All I
can suggest is babbling at him a lot – initiating the babbling by
initially focusing on babababa, dadadadada, mamamama, gagagaga and
nananana.

But it can’t hurt to see what EI says – when are they coming? I’ll let
you know how the pasta goes – I’m worried she’s going to freak! I have
a spare dinner of oatmeal and apple/sweet potato ready to go just in
case…

[Anonymous]

Yes, we’re big on imitating over here. My dh and I used to be actors and we’ve got all kinds of crazy shows we put on. He is v. physical but like you said, EI can’t hurt. I like the idea of trained professionals offering guidiance especially because I soooo have never been around babies. The OT at feeding clinic is so great on suggestions for muscle development that right after we left, Ian was practicing in his crib by himself that night.

Yummy oatmeal,sp and apple…I want to eat at your house! Ian’s screaming at all solids today and we’re not pushing it. He’ll take 5oz of apple pedialyte though so that’s good.

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting. I can always use more ideas when it comes to feeding. You mentioned that you were told to discontinue the meal if he showed no interest after a couple attempts at a bite. Are you supposed to stop entirely until its time for the next meal, or stop for a little while, then try again?

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