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We assist children with feeding difficulties that result from, or are associated with various medical conditions, such as cardiac, renal, and mild to moderate disability, but excluding cerebral palsy. We provide a continuum of care for discharged inpatients.

The majority of our patients are infants whose prognosis for oral feeding is yet to be determined. A written referral from a paediatrician is required.

Our clinic offers:

• Consultation and in-clinic assessment of feeding and nutrition
• Breastfeeding assessment
• Videofluoroscopic Swallow study (also known as Modified Barium Swallow)
• Specialist medical investigations
• Review, including dietetics and speech pathology
• Ongoing management, with referral back to local services as necessary

You may be referred to our clinic for any of these reasons:

• Transition from non-oral to normal oral feeding patterns, whilst supporting a healthy nutritional status
• Oral motor and sensory problems (for eg. oral aversion) resulting in poor growth
• Swallowing incoordination

In general, the Feeding team does not manage highly selective eating associated with sensory processing disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder as the team does not have the appropriate therapists for managing this issue. The usual therapists who manage these issues are Occupational Therapists and Behavioural Psychologist.  

This multidisciplinary clinic provides a service to children with feeding difficulties as a result of chronic and complex medical conditions, including cerebral palsy and other physical and intellectual disabilities.

Feeding goals include restoration of healthy nutritional status, safe oral feeding and support of non-oral feeding (nasogastric tubes, gastrostomy, jejunostomy) as required. A written referral from a paediatrician is required.

The clinic offers:

• Comprehensive multidisciplinary review, including medical, dietetics, speech pathology and feeding assessments
• Videofluoroscopic Swallow study (also known as Modified Barium Swallow)
• Advice on oral and non oral feeding and stoma therapy support (gastrostomy, jejunostomy)
• Referral for other medical investigations as required
• Ongoing management in conjunction with local services

You may be referred to our clinic for any of these reasons:

• Persistent nutritional concerns
• Persistent poor growth and weight issues
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux/vomiting and food intolerance
• Problems with non-oral feeding (Naso-gastric, gastrostomy or jejunal feeding)
• Swallowing incoordination and choking concerns

The Speech Pathology department provides a targeted service to children whose feeding difficulties arise mainly from oral motor, swallowing and sensory difficulties and other mealtime management issues. The referral process requires a written referral from a paediatrician or specialist associated with The Children's Hospital at Westmead. 

The clinic offers:

• Assessment and consultation by a speech pathologist
• Ongoing management, with referral back to local services as necessary
• Review
• Videofluoroscopic Swallow study (also known as Modified Barium Swallow)
• Therapy

Reasons for referral include:

• Oral motor and sensory problems
• Swallowing difficulties
• Behavioural or interaction issues surrounding eating/food refusal

The clinic works with families to establish safe feeding practices, normalise mealtime patterns and develop oral feeding skills.