There is plenty of controversy around the subject of tube weaning a child at home. Some people believe it’s nearly impossible, because many children with feeding tubes will initially lose calories and thus, will lose weight.
But, the experts say that feeling hunger is a necessary part of Home Based Tube Weaning, so children can experience the triggers for eating that help make them want to eat. Learning to eat involves several stages. Learning to hold food in the mouth, learning to chew, and learning to swallow are separate activities that must be learned separately, then slowly tied together.
To be successful at tube weaning, it takes months for the entire process. If you attempt to rush it, the child may shut down when it comes to attempting to eat. It has been many months or years the child has had the feeding tube. Eating naturally is new to them and just like a baby or toddler first discovering solid foods, there is going to be some learning going on and it will be a slow process.
While it may be concerning to parents, children learn to eat on their own best when they experience hunger. This does not mean they will starve, but, experiencing hunger triggers the body and prepares it for the natural process of eating. Hunger has been identified as one of the keys in helping children wean from tube feedings.
A child being weaned from tube feeding may lose weight. It’s not harmful to lose a bit of weight, unless the child has another medical condition. It’s a good idea to work out a tube feed weaning plan ahead of time with the child’s doctor. Most often, experts or specialists will be involved in the tube feed weaning plan for the child.
Home Based Tube Weaning doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be done safely and successfully, but will take a few months. Eating may be natural to most, but it’s not natural to a child who has been tube fed. This is why letting a child feel hungry can be helpful in learning to eat.
If parents work on a plan developed with the child’s medical specialists, they should not be coerced into giving up or becoming overly concerned with a small amount of weight loss. This is natural and it will work itself out as the child begins to consume high calorie foods that are inviting and fun.
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