Related Experiment Videos
An infant and toddler feeding group program
J L Chamberlin1, M M Henry, J D Roberts
1Department of Newborn Medicine, Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio 45404.
Insights
A 9-month support group helped children with feeding difficulties overcome resistance and aversive behaviors. This group format proved effective for managing pediatric feeding disorders, offering an alternative to inpatient care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Behavioral Pediatrics
- Child Nutrition
Background:
- Children with physical problems often experience delayed or difficult early oral feedings.
- These feeding challenges can lead to resistance and aversive behaviors when oral feeding is attempted.
- Existing interventions may not be suitable for all young children with eating disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a support group intervention for children with feeding difficulties and behavioral issues.
- To provide nutritional and behavioral management strategies for families facing challenges with pediatric feeding.
- To explore a support group format as an alternative to individual inpatient programs.
Main Methods:
- A 9-month support group was established for six children and their families.
- Professionals offered general nutrition and behavior information.
- Individualized intervention strategies were provided for each child's specific needs.
Main Results:
- All participating children showed progress during the 9-month intervention period.
- Families utilized mutual support and problem-solving within the group.
- The support group facilitated improvements in feeding behaviors and nutritional intake.
Conclusions:
- A support group intervention can be a successful alternative to individual inpatient programs for some young children with feeding disorders.
- Family involvement and peer support are crucial components in managing pediatric feeding challenges.
- This group format offers a viable approach for addressing nutritional and behavioral aspects of eating disorders in children.
Abstract:
At Children's Medical Center of Dayton, Ohio, several children whose early oral feedings were delayed or especially difficult due to physical problems became resistant and exhibited aversive behaviors when oral feeding was introduced. A support group, which lasted for 9 months, was initiated with six of these children and their families. In the group, professionals provided the families with general information about nutrition and behavior and with individualized intervention strategies for the nutritional and behavioral management of their child's specific problems. The families contributed mutual support and problem solving strategies through the group process. Each child demonstrated progress during the 9-month period, which suggests that intervention in a support-group format can be a successful alternative to an individual inpatient program for eating disorders in some young children.