GOLD Learning Speakers

One of the most complex and challenging tasks required of an infant in the neonatal ICU (NICU) is oral feeding. Oral feeding progression is also one of the most critical pieces of the discharge puzzle. Depending on their medical and nutritional needs, these infants often experience procedures like intubation and/or placement of medically necessary interfaces like nasal prongs, CPAP masks, orogastric and nasogastric feeding tubes. Intra-oral presence of tubes paired with the sensory motor implications of tape used to secure these interfaces and the overall challenges of a developing infant in the ex-utero environment places these infants at risk for oral feeding difficulties downstream. This presentation will provide participants with ways to support the developing oral structures and subsequent oral motor and oral sensory components of a neonate in an attempt to support breast and bottle feeding progression in the NICU.

Research repeatedly tells us that families experience significant levels of stress, fear and fatigue when navigating challenges with feeding their infant. These experiences have a significant impact on their well-being, negatively affecting both physical and emotional health. Compound this with the need to navigate information and emotions that surround surgical intervention like tongue tie releases and the subsequent impact on their child’s comfort and pain as well as fear about success after a release is completed. Parental involvement in the care of their infant’s feeding plan is essential for protecting their identity roles, decreasing risk of depression and anxiety, and increasing parent confidence and competence in caring for their child (Obeidat,2009). Health professionals have a crucial role to play in understanding and implementing a trauma informed, family centered care model when planning the timing of a tongue tie release and supporting the family through the journey. This session will highlight the four core concepts of family centered care as well as tenets of trauma informed care and ways to utilize this during the various stages of a tongue tie evaluation. We will also cover strategies to minimize trauma recurrence and empowering parents and caregivers throughout the process.