Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Feeding bag with tubing and a heart representing nutrition support

Eating and drinking can bring challenges that affect the whole family's day. Feeding therapy can support a child's feeding skills, while nursing care can address separate needs such as nutrition through a feeding tube.

At Little Stars Pediatric Center, feeding therapy, enteral feeding care and nutritional counseling can be coordinated around your child's individual needs and care plan.

Have questions about your child's feeding needs? Call 1-833-548-7827.

Support for feeding and mealtimes

Feeding skills

An individual assessment helps guide goals related to eating and drinking. Depending on the child's needs, therapy may address oral-motor development, chewing, swallowing-related skills or accepting different textures.

Positioning and sensory needs

Support may include positioning for feeding, sensory-based interventions and mealtime strategies. Recommendations need to account for the child's medical needs and feeding plan.

Caregiver education

Families can discuss feeding strategies with the care team and learn how recommendations fit into routines at home. Goals and approaches should be specific to the child.

G-tube and enteral feeding support

Skilled nurses provide enteral feeding care, including G-tube and PEG tube feeding, according to the child's care plan. This nursing support is different from therapy aimed at eating and drinking skills.

A child may need one or both types of support. Using a feeding tube does not mean that oral feeding is appropriate for every child, and therapy does not automatically replace tube feeding. The child's healthcare team guides those decisions.

Nutrition and coordinated care

Little Stars Pediatric Center also offers nutritional counseling and caregiver support. Feeding recommendations, nursing care and therapy can be coordinated with the child's healthcare team.

Little Stars Pediatric Center is a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC/PPECC) center for children who need skilled nursing care during the day. Contact our team to discuss the services available at the center you are considering and how they may fit your child's needs. Learn about admission.

Questions about feeding support

  • Is feeding therapy the same as G-tube care?

    No. Feeding therapy addresses eating and drinking skills based on an assessment. G-tube care is nursing support for nutrition delivered through a feeding tube. A care plan may include both.

  • Can a child with a feeding tube be considered for Little Stars Pediatric Center?

    Little Stars Pediatric Center provides G-tube and PEG tube feeding care. Admission depends on the child's overall needs, medical stability, skilled nursing requirements and doctor's approval. Our team can discuss the next steps.

  • Does feeding therapy mean my child will begin eating by mouth?

    Not necessarily. Goals depend on the child's individual assessment and medical needs. Decisions about oral intake must follow their healthcare team's recommendations.

  • Can families get help with feeding routines at home?

    Caregiver education and coordination with the child's healthcare team are part of our support services. Ask the team about guidance appropriate for your child's feeding plan.

Visit Little Stars Pediatric Center

Our centers are located in Pasadena, The Woodlands and Texas City, in the Greater Houston area.

Talk with our team about your child's feeding needs and the center you're considering.

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