Has anyone had to take their lo to a feeding clinic or OT??

[suzannemoore]

My son is 15months old, and is not self feeding.  We were referred to a feeding specialist, and occupational therapist for this issue.  Just wondering if anyone else has gone through this and did you see any success with it?  Our appointment is scheduled for Feb 6.  I am just a little curious of what it consists of, and would love to hear anyones experiences!!
Thanks
Suzanne

[Mimi 2]

DD had several visits at the clinic but she was much younger around 8/9 mos?  When we went, we were told to make sure that she didn't eat anything about 2hrs prior, including milk.  We went into a room very much similar to large kitchen with tables, chairs, high chairs etc.  Then I was to offer her food like I normally did at home.  The OTs remained in the room but tried not to be too distractive.  There was also a oneway mirror and video camera in the corner (for the really distracted little bubs.)  It was really simple as after the whole session (20-30 min) they offer tips and suggestions to get dd to eat.  They also had some finger food that were common favorites of babies/toddlers.  After several sessions, it was determined that dd didn't have a swallowing problem or oral sensitivity so we didn't have to go to the clinic anymore but I was required to call in with a weekly progress report.    TBH, I wasn't to good with keeping the logs as I just figured that dd will eat eventually.  Which she did at her own time.

I now that it can be scary but the sessions are not that bad.  Some of the tips they offered me were similar to the suggestions here on BW.  I think that the main thing I got out of the sessions were knowing 100% that dd did not have any eating problems.  She just didn't feel like eating much until she was ready.

Hugs and good luck.  I hope your session will be informative. 

[suzannemoore]

Thanks so much for the reply!!  I am nervous, but looking forward to it as well.  I am nervous just because my lo has fallen down to 5% on his weight chart.  Hopefully it will be informative, and get lo eating a little more, and gaining weight.  Thanks so much.  I will keep posted!!

[ajohnson]

Have been to a feeding clinic and Ot therapy.  We really didnt see an improvment for several months!! Things started to get better when the feeding clinic refered us to state run services. EC CARES is the name. They come to your house, which was way more realistic for us and it's free of charge!

[Mimi 2]

How is it going Suzanne?

[suzannemoore]

Well, the feeding clinic was nothing like I expected.  They came into a room which was set up like a kitchen.  We put Hayden in a highchair, and they wanted us to offer him foods that he will normally not eat.  That was easy because he does not eat much.  Since it was breakfast time we tried small waffle bites, and banana.  He did eat the waffle (about 2 bites) but would not touch the banana.  Then they had us feed him baby food.  Well, they basically told us that he was stubborn and he will eat when he is ready.  It was really frustrating, I took the day off, we had to drive an hour to get there, and they did not even offer any tips on how to get him to self feed.  He is STILL eating stage three foods, and no table food.  I don't know what to do.  He is not gaining weight, and the NWing has started again.  I feel so bad for him because he is so small.  Can anyone give me advice on finger foods??
Thanks

[Mimi 2]

 I can't believe they didn't offer any suggestions.  Does he feed himself for snacks?  Will he eat dried/fresh fruits?  I would just keep offering little bits of table food on his plate while you feed him.  Maybe his curiousity will win out and he will take a bite.  Also, do you eat with him?  With dd, we would have her sit with us whenever we eat and give her a little bit of what we eat.  At first it was more playing than eating then she decided to eat.

Keep offering.  As for the NWs, does he asks for milk? 

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=10.0

[suzannemoore]

He does not "actually" ask for it, but he has always been very easy to get to sleep, but now he is waking and draining a 6-7 oz bottle.  Granted, it does not happen every night, but it does happen when he has not eaten well that day.  We try to eat with him, but with our schedules it does not always work that way.  When we do, and we give him food from our plates, he will look at it, and then sweep it off his tray!  I will keep trying, I am just concerned about his weight.  His weight was the reason out pediatrician referred us to the feeding clinic.

[Mimi 2]

Be careful of the night feed as his body can *learn* to be hungry at that time.  You could also try adding more fat/cream/butter into his food to fatten him up.  DD is a lightweight (at birth she was 50%, then dropped to 15% at 8/9mos and back to 20-25% since 12mos).  I have since gave up on expecting her to be a chubby kid.  She is lean, has lots of energy and meeting all her milestones. 

Along with giving him some fingerfood, give him a fork/spoon so he can try to imitate you.  One trick I did that works all the time (when I trying to get dd/ds to try something new) was go for a long walk in the stroller and putting some food on the tray.  They always end up eating during the walk.  Start off with cheerios, cheese or dried fruits.

HTH

[suzannemoore]

Thanks for the suggestion.  I will try it.  He has since stopped waking at night (hoping it will last)  I got him to pick up a small chunk of steamed carrot the other day, but he only wanted to feed it to me!  At least he picked it up!!!  Thanks again!

[We Three]

Hi Suzaane! My sil had OT for her son, and they pretty much told her the same thing...I don't think she was very happy to have driven to NYC to a "specialist", only to be told to make a sticker chart for her 4 year-old!!!! UGH...there are so few specialists who understand feeding issues. The good news is that if they watched him chew/swallow/suck, then all is well mechanically.

I agree with pps....keep offering. While you're feeding him, just put stuff on his tray. Try also to walk away from him after...like to wash his spoon or whatever....sometimes they feel pressured. Watermelon is sweet and soft....I posted on your other thread about the safe-feeder...do you have one?? They are great to get a lo used to feeding themselves and getting new tastes.

Try wierd things....like sometimes my dd would ONLY want food on her tray, other times if I put it in a bowl she would eat it. You are right that it's important that he touches something...that is a good step!
You are doing great...just keep offering...pancakes, fruit, etc.  When he WILL eat something, take notice if it's wet versus dry, cruchy versus soft....he might have a preference at the moment. 

Good luck!!
 

[aidliz]

I took my son to feeding clinics.  He ate babyfood untill he was 2.  He would never eat stage 3 foods, to chunky.  he is very sensitive to textures.  The fact that he will eat stage 3 foods is fantastic imo. has he been diagnosed with sensory issues, sounds like he has them.
That is good progress with the carrot, i would give put carrots on his tray everyday so he gets used of them and it may get him to try it one day even if it takes weeks.  Just a lick or getting him to put it to his lips is good. ask him to kiss the carrot.  sounds wierd but anything to get it near his mouth would be good. 
Since he will eat the stage 3 foods, do you offer it from the jar or do you put it in a bowl?  I would try picking out a pea, show it to him say this is a pea, you love peas and put it in his mouth, if he takes it do it for a few days.  then make peas, show it to him say this is a pea, or ask him what it is, a pea, and put it in his mouth.  this way he will know he is eating something farmiliar to him but it will be table food.  If you are lucky he will start eating them. 
for the waffles, does he usually eat them or was it only at the clinic.  I would start offereing them a few days a week.  Waffles are one of the foods my son will eat.  I started with eggos and he will only eat eggos.  I wish i gave him the organic waffles.  I was just so excited he ate something different.  Start putting something on the waffles, butter, jelly, so he will get different tastes. 

My son is 5.5 and is still a very picky eater, his diet is not the best and i worry about him all the time.  We had no luck with any of his sessions at the feeding clinics, we also had early intervention services, no luck there either.  dont let that deter you, there could be a good feeding specialist in your area that may help you.

What does he eat other than stage 3? 
the fact that he does eat stage 3, to me is a great sign.  Have you tried making your own version of stage 3?  If you do feed him out of the jar, i would make your own version with the same things in it and put it in the jar to see if he will eat it.  If he does, you can over time change it and add new things.
I know what a hard time you are having and feel for you.

[suzannemoore]

He will eat waffles for breakfast usually.  He has stopped eating stage three foods now and is gagging again on the texture.  I do make some of my own foods, but the one thing that the Dr. at the feeding clinic told me that actually made sence was to stop feeding him from the jar.  So now I put it in a bowl, but that does not make him eat it.  I am so frustrated I dont know what to do.  Good ideas with the other foods.  I will try that.  I was amazed that he actually picked up a chunck of carrot and did not throw it.