29/08/2025
๐ WTF: Why Tube Feed? ๐
Our third day exploring the reasons why a little may need to tube feed... Today, it's all about neuro!
Sometimes, the brain and muscles donโt work together the way they need to for safe eating and drinking. ๐
๐ Children with conditions like cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, genetic syndromes, or progressive muscle weakness may find it difficult to coordinate sucking, chewing and swallowing.
๐ This can put them at risk of aspiration (food or fluid entering the airway) or mean they simply canโt eat enough by mouth to meet their nutritional needs.
Feeding tubes provide a safe and reliable way to deliver nutrition, hydration and medication, ensuring these kiddos can grow, develop and participate fully in life. ๐ฑ
Diagnosis is often guided by a multidisciplinary team - speech pathologists assess swallowing, neurologists and paediatricians evaluate motor control, and dietitians monitor growth and nutrition. Together, they determine if tube feeding is the safest path forward.
๐ Remember: tube feeding here isnโt about limitation - itโs about opportunity. A way to thrive when oral feeding isnโt enough.
โจ Continue to follow along to find out more reasons why littles tube feed.
๐ Share your tube feeding 'why' with us!