Feeding Program

These children may have recurrent gagging and vomiting, gastroesophageal
reflux or food allergies that can put them at risk for nutritional deficiencies. Behavioral, developmental and cultural influences on feeding behavior also play a major role for many children. The Feeding Program at Riley at IU Health assesses these issues for each child to ensure that we conduct a holistic assessment.

The Feeding Program at Riley at IU Health was the first of its kind in Indiana. Our experts look at all aspects of nutrition and feeding in children with or at risk for medical, developmental or behavioral problems that affect feeding and growth. Because we have specially trained developmental pediatricians on staff, we can offer a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s feeding issues and develop a personalized care plan that best fits your child’s needs.

An individualized program is developed for each child by a multidisciplinary team. This team may include:

• Developmental pediatricians
• Pediatric nurse practitioners
• Occupational and speech therapists
• Dietitians
• Child psychologists
• Social workers

The Feeding Program was awarded a grant from Women for Riley, a supportive organization through the Riley Children’s Foundation. This grant helped fund educational materials and supplies that we provide to families of our patients. These materials help families organize their child’s diet plan, nutrition and other important information that is part of the Feeding Program care plan.

Outpatient and Inpatient Evaluations

The feeding team performs both outpatient and inpatient feeding evaluations. All evaluations occur on an outpatient basis first. Some patients need more intensive feeding therapy and coordinated assessment that inpatient care provides. Inpatient stays are typically four days, Monday through Thursday.