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Practicalities of feeding cardiac babies. Sucking Feeds and Solids Material prepared by Terry Wackrow August 2010. An effective feeding plan considers:. SAFETY - the feeding plan should support and maintain the child’s health
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Practicalities of feeding cardiac babies Sucking Feeds and Solids Material prepared by Terry Wackrow August 2010
An effective feeding plan considers: • SAFETY - the feeding plan should support and maintain the child’s health • OPTIMAL NUTRITION - this is essential as the feeding process is high energy output • FARSIGHTED - the implications of current treatment on future feeding and oral functions must be considered
Feeding impacted by:[Chart adapted from: Factors that may affect feeding the child with neurological impairment (Reilly et al inSouthall, A and Schwartz, A (eds)(2000) Feeding problems in Children: a practical guide.Oxford. Radcliffe Medical Press p154) ] Fatigue; Endurance State Maintenance
Cardiac specific feeding issues • Infants and children with cardiac difficulties frequently have feeding difficulties that result in failure to thrive • Poor endurance, fatigue and high nutritional needs are key limiting factors
Associated problem areas • inco-ordination of swallowing • poor oral feeding skills • increased respiratory effort Which can lead to increased risk factors for aspiration
Ongoing difficulty with suck /swallow / breathe synchrony • can be throughout a feed • can develop during a feed • often related to endurance and fatigue problems
Persistent stress signs during sucking feeds have a huge impact on feeding skills increased sweating colour change changes in state increased respiratory effort persistent feed related desaturations coughing and /or choking increased heart rate during feeds
Use a syringe with caution: introduce fluid slowly and allow baby time to swallow
If a baby is refusing to feed, look in the baby’s mouth • Check for thrush • Look for signs of teething thrush teething
Breast Feeding • Breast Feeding is the GOLD STANDARD • Breast feeding support is from the Lactation Consultant • If there are oro-motor difficulties or queries regarding swallow safety, the SLT becomes involved
Bottle Feeding • Bottle feeding, like all feeding, is a learned process • There are always two parties involved: it is a feeding DYAD • Communication within that dyad is essential • Feed to early cues • A baby gets stressed with feeds for a reason • All feeds should be enjoyable for both parties
Troubleshooting with bottle feeds Check state of teat: • These teats need to be replaced • Split x-cut • Deteriorated teat texture
Check technique • Teat part empty taking in air • Poorly supported • Bottle weight on mouth
Utilise neonatal reflexes that support feeding eg palmar grasp flexed position
Textures and viscosity relating to swallow safety is SLT responsibility • Calorie intake, volumes, dietary restrictions are dietician responsibility • Cultural considerations around food and drink should be known and implemented by all involved with the child
NOTE • Ice-cream and jelly both class as liquids so are NOT suitable if a child has swallow safety issues with liquid
Some cardiac babies start solids before 6 mths The dietician must agree If initial NG insertion not just for nutrition support, SLT should review swallow before solids started If a baby is tube fed, it is fine to introduce solids if cueing appropriately First solids
Spoon feeding: • Mouth open anticipating • Spoon presented horizontally • Tongue down • Encourage removal of food by upper lip • Residue on face not scraped off
When a baby is reaching for the spoon – give him one too Mess and self feeding go together and are a vital sensory experience Self feeding
Finger foods are developmentally important • These need to be appropriate and safe
Texture choices for finger foods are helpful to develop tolerances and preferences
Seating for solids: spoon and fingers • A child needs to be stable and well supported for meals • Avoid feeding seated on caregiver’s lap: the feeder cannot see the child’s face if it has difficulty • Seating supported in a highchair, a tumbleform chair or car seat are safer choices
Tumbleform chair • ALWAYS fasten straps • use at angle set by therapist • never leave unattended • Highchair – use rolled up towels or nappies for side support
Safety first for every meal or drink • FOCUS on the task in hand • LOOK AT POSITIONING how is the head positioned? is the trunk supported? is the baby swaddled? • CHECK texture temperature viscosity – as per SLT directions