- Contrary to popular belief, Breathing, not eating, is the body's number one priority. Postural stability is the second priority, making eating only prority number three.
- Our instinct only keeps us eating for the first month of life. By 5 or 6 months of age eating is solely a learned motor behavior.
- Eating is complex! It requires cooperation from every single organ system in the body, coordination of all eight sensory systems, six cranial nerves and 26 muscles.
- The process of learning to eat includes 30 or more individual steps.
- For those in the pediatric population with feeding problems the belief that if they are hungry enough they will eventually eat is actually false. Pain, fear and frusteration can all trump hunger and suppress appetite.
- Most children need to eat 5-6 small meals a day in order to take in enough nutritian to sustain correct growth and development.
- Behavioural and physical problems go hand in hand. Children with eating disorders cannot be generally divided into an either/or catagory.
- Feeding is supposed to be fun! Make it a spontaious, noisy and playful experience!
This is just a small sampling of the kinds of things I have been trying to store away in my little brain as we get physically and emotionally ready for my daughters feeding therapy.
Resourse: TOOMEY & ASSOCIATES, INC. 1780 South Bellaire St. Suite #515, Denver, CO 80222, Kay A. Tomey, Ph.D. (303)759-5316
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