If you’re thinking about tube weaning, this probably isn’t a new idea. It’s a question that’s been sitting with you for a while: Is my child ready? And underneath that, how do we prepare so this can be successful?     Readiness: Preparing for tube weaning starts well before any feeds are actually reduced, and a huge part of that is making sure your child (and you) are truly ready.  We look at readiness in a few big-picture ways.    First is medical safety: can your child tolerate weaning, and is it safe for their body right now?    Just as important (and often overlooked) is psychological, social, and developmental readiness. Tube weaning is a big change. For many families, the tube was life-saving or deeply stabilizing at one point, so the idea of removing that safety net can feel uncertain, or even frightening.    We want to think about what else is happening in your child’s world, too. Are there new siblings, new schools, big life changes? Is this a season where your family can handle a major transition? The stars don’t need to perfectly align, but these factors certainly matter.     Understanding the Big Picture: It's important to understand that tube weaning is not a straight line and not a checklist, rather, it’s individualized and holistic. Many parents are surprised to learn that “do no harm” is more important than developing skills or "plumping" kids up in order to prepare for transition to oral eating.  Kids don’t need to eat before they can be weaned; in fact, most kids learn to eat by eating and by discovering their own internal motivation. In the same way, weaning isn't just about intake, it should foster the development of self-regulation, and "plumping kids up” can actually undermine that process.  Growth and development are personal, and externally driving intake often makes the process harder, not easier.      Minimize the Negative: When food has felt uncomfortable, unsafe, or pressured for a long time, our first job is often to stabilize things and protect your child’s relationship with food and with the people feeding them. Sometimes that means pausing therapy exercises, backing off skill work, and creating space for rest, trust, and predictability. That pause can feel really uncomfortable for parents, but it’s often one of the most powerful ways to prepare a child for what comes next.     Create Stability: Creating ease and predictability matters more than many people realize. Tube-fed kids have often lived through constant changes: new formulas, medical tests, feeding plans, and schedules, all on top of regular life stress. They deserve a chance to experience food and daily routines without everything constantly shifting. This doesn’t mean avoiding food altogether. We want kids to still be included at family meals and to touch, explore, and play with food on their terms.     Foster Autonomy: Eating requires agency, and protecting your child’s ability to say “no” is not a setback. It’s a skill. Your job is to decide what food is offered and when, whereas, your child’s job is to decide if they eat and how much. A “no” is information, not failure, and learning that their body cues are respected builds trust that pays off later.     Prepare Yourself: Finally, preparation isn’t just about your child! It’s about the grown-ups too. Tube weaning changes routines, disrupts what feels familiar, and can bring up a lot of fear and pressure to “do it right.” Thinking ahead about emotional support, logistics, and flexibility is incredibly helpful.      Get curious: One of the most important jobs you have is getting curious, not just about food, but about your child. What helps them feel safe? What overwhelms them? How do they communicate comfort or stress? Many parents of tube-fed kids were never given the space to really learn who their child is outside of medical needs.       When safety, trust, and autonomy come first, the process has room to unfold in the way your child actually needs. Thoughtful p

Navigating the holidays while tube-weaning can feel like a lot. Busy schedules, big gatherings, and traditions with friends or family can all add extra pressure, even when you don't factor in a feeding tube!  When it begins to feel like too much, it helps to zoom out and remember the real goal of the season: connection. Your child can join in family rituals and be part of the fun even if their feeding journey looks different. When we focus less on how much they ate and more on shared experiences, mealtimes get lighter for everyone.    Two common holiday traps are pressure (“just try a bite”) and restriction (“not that food again!”). Even well-intended comments can make kids shut down or feel guarded around food. Instead, let the holiday table be a place to explore: seeing, smelling, touching, holding a cup, or sticking with comfort foods. By letting kids engage at their own pace, they are learning what is meaningful to them, rather than simply learning to be cautious and on-guard.     Family gatherings may bring questions or unhelpful comments about eating or progress. A simple boundary or ready-to-go phrase can protect your child and keep things calm. Remember that most people mean well; they just need guidance. Your own energy matters too! When you eat what you enjoy, take breaks, and forget about trying to be perfect,  your child feels safer and more regulated.    And remember: holiday eating is different for every kid. New environments and lots of stimulation naturally change appetite and participation. Your child might eat more, less, or barely engage and all of that is okay. What matters most is that they feel included and capable. Offer familiar foods, adjust routines if they’re overwhelmed, and give them ways to join the table that don’t involve eating. That might look like passing a spoon, chatting with family at the table, or eating separately and joining in once things quiet down. A mix of connection, boundaries, and flexibility creates a holiday season that supports both your child’s feeding journey and their overall well-being. You've got this! Happy Holidays!    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com 

Heidi and Jennifer are back today to help you feel empowered to choose the right tube weaning program for your child, your family, and yourself. Choosing a tube-weaning program is a major decision for families, especially when the information available can feel scattered or confusing. At the heart of this choice is your child’s safety, both physical and emotional. A solid program should prioritize medical oversight, work collaboratively with your child’s healthcare team, and have clear safety parameters in place for monitoring hydration, growth, and overall wellbeing. Just as important is your experience as the parent! Feeding is deeply tied to how we parent and connect with our kids, and when it becomes stressful or uncertain, that impact matters. You should be an active participant in the process, supported by professionals who listen to your insights, respect your instincts, and protect the relationship you have with your child.    It’s also essential to consider the environment where the learning will take place. Many children do best in spaces that feel familiar and low-stress, which is why home-based approaches can be so powerful. They allow clinicians to see the real factors influencing feeding and help kids practice skills where they will ultimately use them. Inpatient or clinical programs can offer benefits too, like on-site medical support and multidisciplinary teams, but it’s important to understand what mealtimes will look like and how they plan to help your child generalize those gains back home. Virtual programs are convenient, but even if the communication is virtual, tube weaning is still a very real part of your child's health journey.  Virtual programs should prioritize safety, adapt to your child’s unique needs, offer timely communication, and avoid a one-size-fits-all model. Whatever the setting, the program should be flexible, child-led, and ready to pivot when challenges or “what if” moments arise.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

Heidi and Jennifer are back! This week, they are sharing some tips and important pillars for feeding kids responsively. When children are learning to eat after having been tube dependent, it’s easy to focus on hunger only, but true progress comes from safety, comfort, and connection first. Eating isn’t just about what’s on the plate! It’s shaped by the environment, communication and language around eating and feeding, and how your child feels. Before thinking about what foods to offer, we encourage you to start by noticing who your child is outside of mealtimes. How do they handle new situations? Noise? Mess? These clues help you shape a mealtime experience that feels predictable and safe, which is where learning to eat begins.    Early on, comfort and enjoyment matter more than how much your child eats. Food is new and can feel hard, so try to focus on helping your child feel secure and curious before volumes and varieties. That might mean sitting together on the floor, offering familiar snack foods, or keeping mealtimes playful and low-pressure. Remember the Division of Responsibility. You decide what, when, and where to offer food, and your child decides if and how much to eat. It’s about providing structure while allowing freedom, so your child can explore food at their own pace.    Progress in tube weaning certainly isn’t linear. It’s a process of discovery. Some days will go smoothly and others won’t, and that’s okay. Reflect on what you notice, stay flexible, and keep comfort at the center of the oral eating experiences. When you focus on safety, connection, and responsiveness instead of consumption, you create the foundation your child needs to build trust with food and eventually eat with confidence and joy.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com 

Parents often ask us: What tools do I need to help my child eat? From vibrating toys to chewy tubes, special spoons to miracle cups, the pressure to “pick the right thing” during tube weaning can be overwhelming. But the truth is, responsive tube weaning isn’t about finding the perfect tool, it’s about understanding and supporting your unique child.  In this episode of Tube to Table, we unpack the role of tools, cups, and utensils in the weaning process. We’ll talk about:  Why tools are often recommended in feeding therapy and why we rarely use them  The myth of “sensory tolerance” and what’s actually happening when kids seem sensitive  Why oral motor tools don’t mimic how food behaves, and how that impacts learning  What it means to honor a child’s identity to support true felt safety  How to approach cups and utensils in a way that builds autonomy and agency  We’ll also share when tools can be useful and how to know if your child is inviting them in, rather than just tolerating them.  This conversation is a reminder that your child is the best guide. Most of the time, the tools you need are already at home and the real work is in creating a safe, responsive environment where your child can explore, lead, and learn to eat on their own terms.  ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

In this episode, Jeni and Heidi unpack a common concern in the tube weaning journey: growth. Fears about weight loss and strategies to facilitate weight gain all impact your child's ability to wean. While growth is important, Heidi and Jeni are here today to explore why it's essential to look at it in the context of the whole child, not just the number on the scale.    Jeni and Heidi talk about how focusing only on weight can lead to confusion and even stall the weaning process. Attempts to “plump kids up” before a wean often set them up for sharper drops later. Growth charts, while useful at times, weren't based on kids with tubes or complex medical histories, and comparing your child to a chart made for someone else doesn't tell the full story. Instead, we encourage families and providers to track trends over time, compare children to themselves, and zoom out to see the bigger picture.    Weight loss during weaning can feel scary, but it's often a necessary and expected part of the process. When carefully monitored, it’s a sign that the child’s body is learning hunger cues and beginning to build a more natural, responsive relationship with food. Trusting the process and staying responsive rather than reacting out of fear helps children build lasting skills and confidence as oral eaters. Ultimately, growth matters, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. When we prioritize quality over quantity, work closely with our team, and keep weight in perspective; children are better able to thrive both on the scale and at the table.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

In this episode, Jeni and Heidi dive into a topic that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves during the tube weaning process: hydration. Hydration is a crucial and separate process with its own cues, rhythms, and strategies. Understanding hydration and its importance separate from nutrition and supplementation can often lead to a safer and smoother wean.    We talk about why hydration deserves focused attention, especially in the early stages of weaning when safety is the top priority. How do you know your child is hydrated enough if they’re no longer getting fluids through a tube? We unpack the signs beyond just milliliters—wet diapers, energy levels, tear production, skin quality—and why it’s so important to ask your medical team for individualized hydration parameters. You'll also hear why keeping a child well hydrated often helps the feeding process, rather than hurt it. Hydration supports energy, digestion, and the body's ability to regulate.    Jeni and Heidi also explore when to start working on oral hydration, and why this usually comes a little later in the weaning journey. They’ll also talk about how to build safe, joyful routines around drinking, from modeling (hint: kids love drinking what you’re drinking!) to loosening our adult ideas of “the right drink.”     ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

When we hear the term "tube weaning," it’s easy to assume it simply means switching from tube feeds to oral eating. But in this episode, Jeni and Heidi unpack why weaning is not just a one-time event or a quick fix—it’s a rich, layered process that unfolds over time. Tube weaning isn’t just about getting food into the mouth instead of the tube. It’s a developmental journey that involves emotional, sensory, and motor learning for the child—and often, a full family transformation. It’s not something that happens to the child, but something the child does. That shift in perspective is crucial.    Jeni and Heidi explore how so much of the work in weaning is “under the surface.” It’s not just skill-building or hitting calorie targets. It’s about helping children learn to recognize new sensations like hunger, navigate unfamiliar emotions, and develop trust in their own bodies. Many of these kids have spent their early years enduring feeding, not initiating it. Becoming someone who chooses to eat is new—and that takes time, space, and support.    We also talk about what this means for families. Tube weaning often requires shifts in routines, expectations, and even how caregivers relate to their child around food. There can be fear and uncertainty when stepping away from the structure and safety of the tube. But with the right environment—one that provides safety, autonomy, and patience—children can slowly build the self-regulation they need to meet their own feeding needs. Weaning isn’t about perfection. It can sometimes feel slow and non-linear. It’s not a 10-day program; it’s a months-long evolution. The key is to keep showing up, staying curious, and following your child’s lead.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

Welcome back! This week, Jeni and Heidi are talking about the role of supplementation during the tube weaning process—why it matters, how we approach it, and what it can look like when done thoughtfully and safely.    Feeding tubes are incredible tools that support over 250,000 children in the U.S. They help kids grow, thrive, and heal—and the decision to use one is always made with the child’s best interest at heart. But just like any helpful tool, there may come a time when it's no longer needed and might even begin to create barriers—especially around oral eating, social life, travel, or day-to-day routines. We know that deciding to transition away from the tube is a big step. It often means the medical situation has stabilized or resolved. But the road forward requires careful thought. At THRIVE, we focus on two key ideas: honoring the role the tube has played and using it strategically as we move forward.    What happens when a child is ready to wean? How do we make safe and effective supplementation decisions during this transition?  -Hydration vs. Nutrition: While hydration is vital, it doesn’t usually interfere with oral intake of food. So we keep hydration steady while adjusting nutrition.  -Creating Room for Hunger: Before a child can eat more, they often need to feel more. We begin with what’s called “hunger induction”—a safe, stepwise reduction of tube feeds that gives the child space to connect with hunger and eating.  -Using the Tube Strategically: We’re not pulling support away cold turkey. Instead, we use the tube like a floatie—something to keep them safe and supported while they’re learning new skills. That includes using the tube to reinforce effort ("You worked hard, and now you feel full!") or to offer relief when things get too hard ("Let’s give you a break today.").  -Decision-Making in Real Time: Every child is different. Some might need more reduction to recognize hunger; others may need a little support to feel safe. We base our choices on energy, growth, health, and cues from the child. It’s not about finding the perfect number of ounces—it’s about tuning into your child’s needs.    Progress doesn’t mean perfection. Many kids start with small bites or narrow food ranges. The tube helps bridge the gap while they build skills, confidence, and variety. Our goal is not long-term dependence but rather using the tube as a tool while independence grows. There’s no single “right” way to do this.     ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

In this episode, Jeni and Heidi dive into the often-overlooked but incredibly powerful concept of pausing both before and along the tube weaning journey. After months—or even years—of pushing through medical challenges, therapies, and constant decisions, many families reach a point where forward movement feels exhausting.     Stepping back doesn’t mean giving up; it can actually create the space where the most meaningful progress happens. Pausing allows for emotional and physical repair—for both your child and yourself—and gives everyone a chance to find stability before pushing forward again. Jeni and Heidi explore how to recognize signs of tension or burnout (like dreading mealtimes), and why co-regulation—tuning into both your nervous system and your child’s—is such a vital part of this process. You’ll hear strategies for creating calm, pressure-free mealtimes, honoring your child’s need for space, and learning to trust the slow, sometimes messy path of tube weaning. We also reflect on the emotional work parents do—advocating, observing, supporting—and how important it is to give yourself credit and care along the way. This episode is a gentle invitation to trust that progress isn’t always about doing more, but about allowing space for healing, growth, and connection.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com 

In this episode, Jeni and Heidi dive into how parents can play a powerful role in protecting and supporting their child’s journey from tube feeding to eating by mouth. When preparing, it’s easy to focus on the practical things like what foods to buy, which cup to use, and what’s the best bottle out there. What really matters is understanding what’s going on under the surface for both you and your child.   For many kids, especially those with a history of medical challenges, food can be overwhelming. Even something as simple as a new texture or smell might feel scary. Recognizing that your child might not feel safe with food yet helps you meet them with more patience and empathy. Many parents carry emotional weight from past experiences around feeding. Stress, fear, and trauma—it’s real, and you’re not alone. Taking time to understand what you’re bringing into mealtimes can make a big difference. Getting support for yourself is not selfish—it’s essential. Feeding won’t always go smoothly, and that’s normal. What matters is having a plan for the “what ifs”: what if your child refuses food, or you feel overwhelmed? Giving yourself a break, asking for help, or having a different topic to talk about at the table can help shift energy in a healthy way.    Instead of counting bites or measuring progress by how much your child eats, we need to shift our mindset around what we consider a success. In the tube weaning process, it’s important to focus on things like: Did my child feel safe? Did we enjoy time together? Was the food offered in a way that respected their needs? These are real, meaningful wins. Your number one job is to protect your child’s sense of comfort and safety at the table. With preparation, reflection, and a focus on connection, you’re creating the foundation for your child’s eating skills to grow.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

Welcome back! In this episode, Jeni and Heidi are talking about how families can form an effective and collaborative team to support their child through the process of tube weaning. Too often, parents find themselves feeling isolated on their child’s tube weaning journey. They are either waiting for a plan that never comes or are trying to piece it together alone. With the right information and questions, a supportive team can be built. As we discussed in last week’s episode, parents are not just bystanders in this process—they are essential members of the team. You know your child best, and your voice, insights, and presence are vital in shaping both the plan and the outcome. It is vital to a child's success in tube weaning to work with professionals who view parents as experts and partners, and who understand that feeding skill development and long-term outcomes are closely tied to the parent-child relationship.    Jeni and Heidi also discuss the other key players on a strong tube weaning team: a medical provider who can set safety parameters around hydration, weight, and who knows your child’s medical history well; a therapist (often a speech or occupational therapist) who supports day-to-day progress through a child-led, strengths-based approach; and, of course, you, the parent, guiding and advocating every step of the way. Collaboration across all team members is crucial, even when it’s challenging. Jeni and Heidi offer practical guidance for asking the right questions, building trust, and planning for “what if” scenarios along the way. Tube weaning isn’t all-or-nothing—it’s a gradual, individualized process. With the right team in place, it can be safe, supported, and successful.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com 

When we talk about tube weaning, we’re not just talking about transitioning from tube feeds to oral intake—we’re talking about creating or restoring joy, curiosity, and connection to eating and feeding. And at the heart of that process is YOU, the parent. Too often, parents find themselves in one of two difficult roles: either sidelined and treated as an afterthought or isolated, left alone to search for answers and support. We know and believe that parents are the experts on their children. Your insight, intuition, and involvement are not just helpful—they are essential.    The feeding environment matters deeply. What makes your child feel comfortable, safe and secure? Maybe it’s sitting on a parent's lap during breakfast or being surrounded by siblings at the table. We must expand our definition of safety beyond a physical aspect, also considering emotional and sensory safety. Within the feeding environment, we need to also consider structure, not rigidity.     And when we do offer food, let’s consider pleasure, too. The goal at first is positive, low-pressure, intrinsically motivated experiences. That could be a lick of a chip, a finger dipped in ketchup, or stealing a bite from mom’s plate. If they see you enjoying it, they might be more willing to try it. That joy is the bridge to variety and nutrition later on. Every child is different. Every family is different. This journey will evolve, and that’s okay. It’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about staying curious, responsive, and connected to your child. Tube weaning is a process of learning, for everyone involved. It takes time, flexibility, and trust. And when parents are centered and supported, children can THRIVE.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

How many times has a loving adult or professional told you that your child’s eating difficulties are a sensory based “problem”? Yes, feeding IS a sensory experience AND it’s bigger than that. We all interact with the world and situations using our own individualized sensory identities. The ways in which we receive, interpret, and respond to sensory information within that is also constantly evolving. Sensory preferences are our brain’s learned protection and reaction to lived experiences, whether positive or negative.     The same sensory identities and associations are evolving in children who are learning to eat! While we’re working toward helping children become happy and healthy oral eaters, we must first devote time and energy to understanding WHO the child is and HOW they relate to the world through their sensory experiences before we try to change them. This is crucial to figuring out who your child is from a sensory standpoint. We must examine and consider the context such that we’re maximizing ease, comfort, trust, and peace BEFORE we increase the challenge or try to expand their diet/oral intake.    This is where motivation and autonomy play a key role. Giving the child control over how and when something occurs (such as eating) can significantly influence how they perceive the experience and how prepared their body is to engage in it. It’s only once a child has learned that they can be safe, comfortable, and stable that they can expand and have new experiences to help override old ones. This is a CHILD led process, one where we continue to accept where they are, no matter what. It may take time on the front end but also helps with success in the longer term.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

In this episode, Jennifer and Heidi are diving into how certain feeding strategies, specifically when transitioning off feeding tubes, can backfire. There is a common phrase that we hear a lot as therapists: “I can’t GET them to do it or I can only GET them to have 2 bites”. As loving caregivers, parents often think that it is their job to get their child to eat a certain food or specific volume. While working to transitioning to oral eating, the focus should be less on what you can get your child to do and more on letting them have the space to do so (McGlothlin, Jenny: Definition of “Let to Get”). The parents should focus on providing the foods and setting up a positive mealtime routine, while the child’s role is to determine if they’re going to eat it and how much (Ellyn Satter – Division of Responsibility).     Jennifer and Heidi discuss what specific feeding behaviors we often see in the traditional feeding therapy. These behaviors are often viewed as symptoms and then the focus tends to be on more behavioral strategies. Although there is some short-term research on those behavioral methods (praising, distracting, negotiating), we know that it has negative long-term effects on a child’s relationship with food. They will also review what we can do as therapists, and parents, to help create a solid foundation and address the relationship with food starting with the foundations. We will also review the evidence to support the responsive feeding strategies, specifically with tube-fed children.     If you would like any of the research or studies mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to email us at thrive@spectrumpediatrics.com and we can send it to you.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum and @tubetotable on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

In this week’s episode, Jennifer and Heidi talk about what motivates children to eat. While hunger is important, it’s not the only missing piece of the eating and feeding puzzle for tube fed kids.     When helping tube-fed kids become oral eaters, there are a lot of other pieces of the puzzle we must consider! Comfort, pleasure, curiosity, and relationships are all aspects that you, the loving and caring adult, can help facilitate for your tube-fed child. Eating in a comforting environment, having a meaningful and pleasurable experience during a mealtime, exploring food independently, and being a part of the mealtime routine can all help to drive internal motivation to eat! And Yes! Hunger also plays a role to build on oral eating. This looks different for every child in our program and beyond, and we know that following your child’s lead is of most importance to THRIVE!     It's important to differentiate between tolerance and internal motivation. Our goal as well-meaning adults is not to help children tolerate a food or bite a certain number of times. In fact, that undermines their curiosity and adds external pressures to eat. We know and believe that all children are competent! They can feel hunger and start to do something about it independently, but only once we remove any obstacles you have control over (pain, discomfort, stress, pressure) and allow for periods of rest/repair for your child to build knowledge and experience on their own terms.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum and @Tubetotable on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com  

In this episode of Tube to Table, Jennifer and Heidi are letting you all in on a little secret: most kids learn to eat while they’re eating and participating in continued meaningful experiences surrounding a mealtime.     Often times, traditional feeding therapy has a narrow skill-based focus that may include oral motor skills, self-feeding skills, increasing volumes, or expanding varieties. Skill development actually includes much more than just those things! To target a skill, we need to zoom out to address the fundamentals. We know that learning is most successful when the learner is an active participant: When they are motivated or in charge of their learning, when they have felt safety, and when they’re given appropriate support that doesn’t undermine or take over.     For many of us adults, there’s an innate meaningfulness in food. What we forget is that it develops through experiences, and often, tube-fed kids do not have the same opportunities. Motor skills build over time, through experience and enjoyment, and by actively participating in activities already occurring throughout your home. Having your tube-fed child sit at the table with you during a meal provides tons of meaningful experiences!     No matter the skill you want to help your tube fed child to learn, whether its variety, volume, oral motor strength, sensory processing, or self-regulation, the goal is to see the big picture and help create an ideal and positive environment.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com   

Welcome to Tube To Table: The podcast about helping tube fed kids become happy and healthy eaters. In this episode, Jeni and Heidi are here to help parents understand why hearing “no” from your tube-fed child can be a good thing. Learning to accept “no” as parents can be a game changer for mealtimes and can help caregivers reframe what refusal means for their tube-fed child.     Did you know that food refusal is actually developmentally appropriate, regardless of the neurological identity of your child? It is easy to consider refusals as a problem or a deficit, however, it is an important part of the developmental process. It's a way for children to express that they’re unsure or perhaps not ready, and they’re actually doing the right thing by avoiding something that likely caused negative feelings in the past. As loving and well-meaning adults, this can feel like a failure or rejection, like a loss of control, and as if we’re not doing our jobs properly. It’s hard to know how to appropriately respond when it does come up.     Jeni and Heidi are here to help you understand the WHY: why it’s important to accept refusals, why we look at your child’s experiences around eating and feeding and not just the act of eating, and why we allow kids the space and time to create a happy and healthy relationship with food.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information: @TubetoTable and @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com    

Did your child just receive a feeding tube? Are you feeling stuck in feeding therapy? In this episode of Tube To Table, we are diving into the topic of what parents wish they had been told when their child first got their feeding tube. Feeding tubes can be a medical necessity and can help keep kids safe when needed. We’re here to remind you that this is not your fault, and your child can do this!     The transition from being tube-fed to becoming an oral eater can be tricky and it is often not an automatic process. No matter where you are in the process, today’s podcast will touch on a few of the most important factors to look at when starting the transition to tube weaning. We’ll talk through the tricky thought patterns you may be experiencing, why you could be feeling stuck in feeding therapy and how to support progress, and what our roles are as adults to help children feel safe and supported during this transition.     ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Tubetotable and @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com 

Welcome to Tube To Table: The podcast about helping tube fed kids become happy and healthy eaters. In Episode 1 of Season 2, you’ll get re-acquainted with your hosts, Jennifer Berry and Heidi Moreland as they talk about Responsive Feeding and the transition from Tube to Table. Jennifer is an occupational therapist and founder of the Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics Tube Weaning Program, and Heidi is a speech-language pathologist and clinical coordinator of the Thrive Tube Weaning Program. Both Jennifer and Heidi have over 30 years of combined experience working with families of tube-fed children.     Episode 1 dives into some of the unknowns as a parent or loved one of a tube-fed child, including how to help wean when the tube is no longer medically necessary. There can sometimes be a mismatch and frustration around the whole process, focusing on a child’s deficits. Jennifer and Heidi talk about the focus on “why” and the experience of the child to guide our program.      Jennifer and Heidi are here to help you “zoom out”. To help parents and caregivers take some focus off counting calories, measuring volume, counting number of bites, chewing in a certain way, closing lips, etc. and help you see your child’s experience of feeding in the big picture. We want to help you develop foundations for your child’s experience so that you can see how they’re relating to food and feeding. These foundations then help develop and build the skills that they need to eat more and use the tube less.  **Please remember this this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process. ** Don’t forget to follow us on our other social media accounts: @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com.