What are pediatric feeding disorders?
Pediatric feeding disorders are conditions that prevent proper eating and feeding in children. This can include selective eating and swallowing disorders that create eating challenges.
Feeding disorders can prevent children from getting the nutrition they need for good health. Feeding disorders can also lead to an increased risk of lung infections. Talk to your provider if your child has problems with feeding, eating or swallowing.
More about feeding disorders
Children may become irritable while feeding or show signs of swallowing problems such as:
- Stiff body during feeding
- Irritability, lack of interest
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Refusal to eat certain textures, food groups, colors
- Long feeding times (over 30 minutes)
- Trouble chewing or breast feeding
- Coughing or gagging while eating
- Excessive drooling
- Spitting up while eating
- Pain or discomfort with eating
- Breathy, gurgly, or hoarse voice quality
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Screening and diagnosing pediatric feeding disorders
Your provider will evaluate your child’s eating process and take note of any habits or difficulties. Children who may have feeding or swallowing disorders can also take part in different diagnostic tests, like a modified barium swallow or endoscopic assessment.
A combination of treatments often works best for treating pediatric feeding or swallowing. Family support is a key factor in treating feeding issues. Encouragement can help children learn which ways to properly eat and feed. Examples of treatments include:
- Medicine
- Physical or speech therapy
- Breastfeeding or lactation support
- Diet changes - texture, temperature, and food changes
- Behavior and posture changes
Schedule an appointment with your child's provider for evaluation and treatment of feeding disorders.