Your child's feeding time is a special time for sharing, interacting and bonding. Children requiring oxygen often are difficult to feed and meals may take longer.
Feed your child in a quiet, relaxed environment. Your child may need frequent breaks during the meal. Position your child for maximum comfort. Be patient and your child will soon establish a pattern for meals.
You may need to feed your child smaller, more frequent meals. Talk to your child's doctor and dietitian about a prescribed diet.
Timing is important. If your child receives breathing treatments, chest physiotherapy (CPT), and/or suctioning, do the treatments approximately 30 minutes before a meal. This will allow your child time to recover and settle down before eating.
For infants, it is very important that you plan to feed them several times before you go home from the hospital. Work with your child's nurse or health care provider to establish a feeding schedule. Holding and interacting with your child during mealtime is crucial — particularly if your child is getting feedings through a nasogastric tube. As the person interacting and monitoring your baby at home, you need to establish a relationship as soon as possible.
Infants on oxygen need to be burped more often than other babies. They tend to suck more air into their tummies when eating. Babies who eat in a hurry may not finish a meal or may throw up. Burping also gives your child a chance to rest.