In need of help to ween premie from feeding tube... Please help.

[akhlass]

Hi, I am in need of helpful tips to get my preemie daughter to want to eat.  Ameena has a button that is attached to her stomach (feeding tube) and feed her through a tube.  She was born at 24wks.  She receives her nourishment from pediasure.  She is in the 15% percentile for height and negative for her weight.  She is 20 pounds at 22 mos old.  She eats every 3 hours with her feed split into two parts.  90cc and then 75-90cc again an hour later.  We give her sips of fluids everyday and days that she is not vomiting as much we give her some baby vegies or baby fruit.  Sometimes I mix pediasure with the baby food to give her something different, but it doesnt make a difference.  We encourage her to smell food and touch it.  She does not show an interest in food and when she will eat some it will be about 1.5 oz or less and then she either refuses to open her mouth or pushes the spoon away.  I know that it will take time, but I was hoping you may have some advice to help me.  It is my wish to ween her off this feeding tube this year before pre-school.  Thanks, so much.

[goodasitgets]

I have asked someone else I know for information in this area.  She is a Speech Therapist for chidlren ages 2 -3 and has a good  knowledge base about feeding issues.  Hopefully she can provide some helpful resources/organizations or information.  I will post anything she sends me.

[goodasitgets]

My friend said the best help for you would be to seek advice from a Feeding Therapist—usually a SLP or sometimes an OT with training in pediatric feeding issues.  I also came across a couple resources at www.beyondplay.com Feeding and Nutrition for the Child with Special Needs - Handouts for Parents by Marsha Dunn Klein 601 pages $99.95 and Pre-Feeding Skills, 2nd Addition A Comprehensive Resource for Mealtime Developmentby Suzanne Evans Morris $79.95  I am sorry not to be able to give more specific help at this time...I will keep my eyes open for anything else that might be helpful. 

[mary3021]

Hi!.  My name is Mary. I am new and am just reading all the old posts.
Your little girl is Beautiful by the way!    How are the feedings going?? I have a son who still has a gtube as well and are struggling with eating. further along than your was at the time you posted --- but it took a long time!!!    The stage ou described -- that was Andrew too at one time!!   Let me know how it is going!!!