Feeding Protocol

Okay, so a few weeks ago, we went to this feeding clinic (see earlier blog) and we are waiting to see if insurance will cover a 30 day hospital program. In the meantime, we have embarked on what this psychologist said to try.

We figured, Why not. We have been trying stuff for years, what's one more protocol?

So, here it goes.

She said to do the following:
Separate the tube feeds from mealtime whenever possible. Have him sit in the high chair when we all eat and give him one bite of food. No more. Encourage him to eat the one bite. Offer mealtime toys that he can just play with when he eats the one bite and if he eats the one bite, reward, clap, etc, but do not offer more. He's all done. If 15 minutes go by and he does not eat the one bite, then end the session. Take him out of the chair and move on. One bite, for one week, then move to two on week 2, etc.

Ok. We did this.
I went to Target and bought a bin and a bunch of small toys that seem fun and cool to fill in this "meal bin".

It's difficult to split up the meals and tube feeds for 3 days a week, because daycare is tough. Monday, Tuesday and Wed, he goes 9 hours at daycare and he doesn't eat. So we feel the need to immediately tube him at 4pm, then we struggle to fit the rest of the calories in before the next day- usually going to bed by 1am and then getting up to start his tube feed at 5am. But we did do our best, and when we ended the session, we let him run around for a bit and then tube fed him.

Week one went well. Lots of clapping, he ate his one bite at each meal.
Week two went well. Lots of clapping, he ate his two bites at each meal.

Food included: pasta, applesauce, cheerios, eggs, grilled cheese, pizza, toast, pancake, mashed potatoes

Week three started yesterday. Disaster. No eating, no three bites. He went back to throwing food and screaming. He gagged. He threw his plate.

I was calm. I removed him from chair, had him pick whatever it was up, he sat in time out on the steps for 2 minutes, he would return to the high chair. No toys worked as bribes. Nada.

So, this was yesterday. Today, same thing. No 3 bites. Not for any of the 3 meals. No waffle. No grape cut into 3rds. No spoon full of homemade chicken noodle soup. (which I had him help prepare and was smelling up my house something good all day)

As I write this I cry in frustration. It is so difficult. So many tests. So many experts. You, you frustrate me with your suggestions. Now what?

I will go back to 2 bites. I will get some more tissues. We will continue.