Intensive Feeding Program Offers Children and Families Hope

Philanthropy supports only program of its kind in Michigan at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Children suffering from a feeding disorder have new hope of joining their families at the dinner table thanks to an intensive feeding program at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The intensive feeding program is the first and only one if its kind Michigan, and is one of a handful in the United States. This program, made possible by support from the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, differs from traditional feeding therapy programs in the intensity of therapy sessions. Patients receive multiple feeding therapy sessions on a daily basis for six to eight weeks. An intensive feeding program literally becomes a full-time job for most families during treatment.

Listen to Dr. Mastin talk about the Intensive Feeding Program (.mp3, 24MB)

“Proper nutrition is fundamental for reaching developmental milestones,” said Wendy Burdo-Hartman, MD, medical director, Intensive Feeding Program, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “Research suggests anywhere from 20 to 40 percent of children experience mealtime problems. That number increases significantly among children with disabilities. Children are at risk for a whole host of conditions and diseases without adequate nutrition.”

A multidisciplinary team, lead by program director Michelle Mastin, PhD, works with children to improve their eating through feeding sessions and behavior modification. Individual outcome varies depending on the child’s situation. Many children enter the program eating just one or two foods and leave eating nearly 20. Those in the program missed the developmental stage of learning to eat for a variety of reasons, and must learn to accept different textures and flavors of food.

“A feeding disorder is different than simply being a picky eater,” added Burdo-Hartman. “There is an underlying reason children aren’t eating. It’s our job to find out why and then correct it. Eating is a learned behavior versus naturally inherent. You can’t simply skip that phase of your development without future challenges.”

The intensive feeding program is for children with feeding challenges including:

Total food refusal
Restricted eating patterns
Dependence on a feeding tube
Refusal to eat age-appropriate textures
Food allergies
Recurrent vomiting

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Members of the feeding team also help children with medical conditions including:

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Failure to thrive
Abdominal malformations
Oral aversion
Down syndrome
Constipation and delayed gastric emptying
Behavioral challenges

The intensive feeding program offers two treatment options including day treatment and inpatient options.

Day Treatment Program

This outpatient program includes four daily feeding therapy sessions to work on skill development in a fun, upbeat, age-appropriate setting. Children are able to rest or play between therapy sessions in designated play and nap areas. This program runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Inpatient Treatment Program

The inpatient program is similar to the day treatment program but serves children with medical risk factors requiring 24-hour care. Children may transition from the inpatient program to the day treatment program as their medical needs stabilize.

Both programs offer support for parents and caregivers as the child isn’t the only one learning. The program provides each family the opportunity to train multiple “feeders” who work with the child in the evening and on the weekends during treatment, and then indefinitely after graduation from the program. Parents and caregivers are coached along the way to understand what children are learning behaviorally, physically and nutritionally.

Many former Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital neonatal patients are part of the intensive feeding program. Premature infants are among the most likely toddlers to have feeding difficulties given their dependency on feeding tubes.

The intensive feeding program is part of a collaboration with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The program is located at 360 Lafayette in the Mary Ives Hunting building on the Mary Free Bed campus. Appointments are available by calling 616.391.2242.

The intensive feeding program was started thanks to a major grant from the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. The program is part of the Gerber Center for Infant Development and Nutrition at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The center staff cares for children with health challenges such as prematurity, developmental delays and nutrition problems. This center was made possible through a generous gift from The Gerber Foundation.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a member of Spectrum Health, is a Grand Rapids-based hospital serving children throughout Michigan. A teaching hospital, it includes more than 150 pediatric specialty physicians with specialized training in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 40 pediatric specialties. Visit devoschildrens.org to learn more or devoschildrens.org/2011 to learn about the new hospital opening in 2011.