Basic Things to Know About Occupational Feeding Therapy: A Parent’s Journey

Understanding the Basics and Benefits of Occupational Feeding Therapy for Children

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What is Occupational Feeding Therapy?

For parents navigating the intricate challenges of nurturing a child reliant on a G-tube for nutrition, occupational feeding therapy stands out as a beacon of hope. Administered typically by a dedicated Occupational Therapist, these professionals perform weekly exercises with your little one, aiming to rehabilitate them for oral feeding. Due to the G-tube, children might have lost the ability or never learned how to orally consume food. Occupational therapists ingeniously incorporate play with food, transforming eating into a delightful adventure, especially considering the occasional aversion to oral feeding some children may experience. Parents are skillfully trained to safely practice techniques at home, stimulating the child’s facial muscles and ensuring safe eating while learning to identify signs of aspiration — when food or liquids are inhaled into the lungs during meals, a result of delayed sensitivity.

Our journey led us to embrace this therapy for our child. Encouraged by our doctor’s advice, we embarked…