Finding Hope Through CentraCare's Feeding Therapy Program

When Beth Fuchs thinks about her two-year-old son Dominic's feeding journey, she remembers months of uncertainty.

Born with Down syndrome and duodenal atresia, a condition where the stomach and intestines aren't connected, Dominic underwent surgery shortly after birth. Because his digestive system needed time to heal, he relied on a feeding tube for weeks. By the time he was ready to eat by mouth, feeding became an uphill battle.

"We had hoped to breastfeed, but he just wasn't able to," Beth said. "We tried everything, and it became frustrating for both of us."

Bottle feeding helped, and thickened liquids eventually made it safe for Dominic to go home after six weeks in the hospital. But once the family returned to their home in Burtrum, Beth realized the challenges weren't over.

As Dominic grew, Beth noticed something that didn't seem right. Unlike most babies his age, he never put his hands, toys or other objects in his mouth.

"I remember thinking, 'If he's not putting things in his mouth, how is he ever going to eat?'" she said.

Others weren't concerned, but Beth trusted her instincts and kept searching for answers. That search led the family to CentraCare's occupational therapy team.

Roughly 80 percent of children with a neurodevelopmental disability have feeding and swallowing problems.

During the first appointment, Beth finally felt heard. "The therapist explained that Dominic wasn't bringing objects to his mouth because he didn't yet have the core strength and stability needed for that stage of development," she said. "It made so much sense."

As Dominic's needs became more focused on feeding, he transitioned into the CentraCare Feeding Disorders Program with Occupational Therapist Jordana Caruso Kamikovski.

"She told us, 'I've seen this before. It may take time, but we'll work through it,'" Beth said. "For the first time, we didn't feel alone."

Feeding therapy doesn't look like a typical medical appointment. Instead, it's built around play and sensory exploration, helping children become comfortable with food at their own pace.

"One of our ongoing goals is to create a positive association with oral feeding by providing pleasurable feeding experiences or 'snack times' in our sessions," said Jordana. "The goal is to build trust and comfort with food, and ultimately motivation to eat."

Dominic first learned to tolerate different textures, then foods near his face, and eventually began tasting foods on his own. Every step was celebrated.

"We focused on teaching Beth how to read and respond appropriately to Dominic's feeding cues or signs of communication," said Jordana. "For example, when he blocks his mouth it's a 'stop' cue. When he leaned forward and opened his mouth, that was an invitation to put some food on his lip."

Today, Dominic is learning to increase his comfort with the sensory aspects of feeding. He willingly sits with his family during meals, enjoys exploring foods and has discovered he likes bold flavors like spaghetti sauce, tomato soup and guacamole.

"A year ago, I couldn't imagine this," Beth said. "Those little things are huge."

More importantly, Dominic is curious. He once avoided anything near his mouth and now he wants to participate in mealtimes.

One of the hardest parts of the process wasn't the feeding itself, it was the guilt.

"As moms, we feel responsible for everything," Beth said. "You wonder if you should have done something differently."

"The stress some of our parents have experienced is tremendous," said Jordana. "It's our job to be sensitive to each parent's feelings and support them. Education can be a powerful tool in empowering the family to understand how complex and multifactorial feeding is."

Through feeding therapy, Beth learned progress can't be forced. Instead of focusing on what Dominic isn't doing yet, she celebrates every small step forward.