Infant Feeding Program
Young infants feed primarily by sucking. While this is extremely efficient, the process involves a very complex interaction of multiple systems. The infant must coordinate the suck, swallow and breathing skills while managing neurobehavioral states.
As an infant ages, feeding difficulties can persist and the child may exhibit difficulties spoon-feeding. Parents faced with problems while feeding their baby can be helped with tips given by a qualified professional.
A child does not have to be diagnosed with a specific disorder to have problems feeding. The list below indicates some of the common diagnoses that have a high incidence of feeding difficulty:
- Failure to thrive
- Trauma
- Hypotonicity
- Prematurity
- Cleft palate
- Visually impaired
- Children with sensory or motor impairments
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Congenital heart disease
The Process
Willis-Knighton offers a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate and treat children with feeding difficulties. After a referral from a physician, a thorough evaluation is completed.
Frequently the parent and child can benefit from a home program with ideas and techniques on how to facilitate the child’s feeding skills. If a home program is not sufficient, the child can benefit from a therapy program focusing on oral motor stimulation techniques to help resolve sensory motor dysfunction.
Let Willis-Knighton’s infant feeding team help you with any feeding problems you encounter. For more information call:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
WK Canterbury Square
2530 Bert Kouns, Suite 148
Shreveport, LA 71118
Phone: (318) 212-5336
Fax: (318) 212-5204