Feeding Tube Dependency

When Children are fed via tube, they loose their hunger-drive. 

Vomiting, invasive medical procedures or sickness will result in food aversion. In these cases, food refusal can last for months or years and nutrition is given via tube.  

This is what we call feeding tube dependency and these are the typical symptoms:

• Total food refusal
• Food aversion
• Lack of hunger motivation
• Frequent vomiting
• Lack of weight gain even with feeding tube

When a feeding tube is inserted in your child, it start to refuse oral feedings. Over time most nutrition will be given via tube. Being nauseas and aversive oral stimulation will result in feeding tube dependency. The dependence on the feeding tube can last for a few weeks, usually it lasts for months or even years. Therefore, treatment is mostly needed to overcome food aversion and to establish a positive relationship to food and feeding.

You may understand better now, but still will have questions. Reach out to us today for a first video call. We will discuss your history as well as the weaning options with you. contact@tubeweaningathome.com

Our Treatment approach:

Children which become feeding tube dependent often don´t sense their needs. Every child will show that with different symptoms. Therefore, every child has different needs to be addressed. Our mission is to meet your child´s and your needs during the weaning process. This will help your child to overcome food aversion and refusal.