Inpatient Feeding Program Overview

Program participation begins with a one-hour pediatric gastroenterology consultation via telehealth with the medical director and/or feeding nurse practitioner. During this consultation, the child is assessed for medical causes of pediatric feeding disorder.

If eligible, the child proceeds to a multidisciplinary feeding program evaluation—a two-hour, in-person assessment conducted by a medical provider, psychologist, social worker, feeding therapist (speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist), and dietitian. This collaborative team determines whether the child would benefit most from CHOC’s inpatient feeding program or an outpatient approach.

The 19-day (~3-week) inpatient program offered by the CHOC Multidisciplinary Feeding Program is intended for children who have struggled with feeding issues and have not been successful with traditional outpatient feeding therapy. Children who participate in the CHOC Feeding Program typically:

• Have a G-Tube (feeding tube)
• Are at risk for G-Tube placement
• Experience severe food selectivity
• Are not eating an age-appropriate diet

The Inpatient Feeding Program at CHOC is unique because goals are tailored to each child’s needs. We develop an individualized plan based on their abilities and the goals set by parents or caregivers. Goals may include:

• Increase the variety of liquids and food consistencies accepted
• Improve oral motor skills for acceptance of age-appropriate food
• Accept new foods
• Encourage larger volumes of foods
• Decrease the need for G-tube feedings
• Establish a positive relationship with food
• Provide education on skills and strategies to lead mealtimes at home
• Improve independence and participation during meals
• Decrease mealtime duration
• Enhance parent-child mealtime interactions
• Empower the parent to become the bridge to success between the Program and home

These goals are achieved through evidence-based interventions, including:

• Close medical oversight
• Consolidated feeding schedule
• Intensive therapeutic feeding therapy sessions
• Behavioral feeding strategies
• Food-based play
• Nutrition education
• Direct parent coaching and guidance
• Use of technology to incorporate remote care providers

Following discharge from the Inpatient Feeding Program, a comprehensive discharge plan is developed. This may include:

• Follow-up with the primary care physician, gastroenterologist, or referring provider
• Return for team re-evaluation
• Transition to outpatient therapy
• Consultation as needed to assist with home transition

CHOC’s multidisciplinary feeding program is committed to helping children with pediatric feeding disorders achieve lasting progress, gain independence in eating, and build a positive relationship with food.