Tube to Table

Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics
  • 4.9 (54)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Helping tube-fed kids become happy and healthy eaters.

  1. MAR 31

    S2, Ep. 26: Feeding Progress When the Tube Needs to Stay

    What if your child still needs their feeding tube… and that’s not actually considered a failure? What if progress doesn’t mean removing the tube, but learning how to move forward with it?    For many families, the goal starts as tube weaning. But along the way, some discover their child needs long-term support, or at least more time. For other families, you may know from the beginning that it's likely that your child will always need some form of support from the feeding tube.  This can feel like a confusing middle ground. You might wonder: Did we do something wrong? Are we stuck? The truth is, this space where tube feeds and oral eating coexist is not only valid, but it can be incredibly successful.      It starts with acceptance. Not giving up but getting grounded in where your child is right now. When you take time to build a stable, low-pressure foundation, feeding often becomes less stressful for everyone. From there, you can better understand:  Your child’s strengths  Areas that need support  What realistic, meaningful progress looks like    One of the most powerful shifts you can make is focusing on autonomy and participation.  Ask yourself:  Is my child actively involved in feeding in a way that fits their development?  Do they have opportunities to make choices and engage?  This can look like:  Letting them pass food, explore textures, or decide what goes on their plate  Involving them in tube feeds (pushing a syringe, helping set up)  Creating opportunities for real participation. Kids build relationships with food when they feel like active participants, not passive recipients.    It’s easy to fall into a performance mindset that includes counting bites, focusing on volume, or pushing exposure. But long-term progress is rooted in quality experiences, not just quantity.  Try to instead focus on:  Low-pressure, positive mealtimes  Curiosity over compliance  Shared experiences, regardless of how much is eaten  Because a child who feels safe, interested, and included around food is more likely to keep moving forward.    Tube feeding and oral eating don’t have to be all-or-nothing. In fact, they work best when they’re flexible. Some options families explore:  Eating by mouth during the day, with supplementation at bedtime  Offering tube feeds after meals to reduce pressure during eating  Adjusting timing based on school, energy, or appetite  The goal is to find a middle ground where your child:  Has enough support to grow and feel well  Still experiences hunger, fullness, and motivation to eat  It’s often a dance, not a fixed plan. And sometimes, increasing tube feeds as kids grow or eating becomes harder is exactly what supports long-term success. One common trap? Keeping the same plan as your child grows. But feeding needs change. Schedules shift. Development evolves.  Make space to regularly revisit:  Tube feeding amounts and timing  Mealtime structure  Your child’s engagement and interest  Flexibility is key to keeping the plan aligned with your child—not where they used to be.    This journey can be longer than expected. And that can be hard. But staying on tube feeds while making progress with oral eating is not a step backward! It’s a thoughtful, responsive path forward. Pause when you need to. Adjust when it makes sense. Progress is still happening, even if it looks different than you imagined.    Your child’s story doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Growth can happen in the middle, in the space where support and progress exist side by side. Stay flexible, stay curious, and trust that forward movement is still possible… exactly where you are.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    13 min

  2. MAR 24

    S2, Ep. 25: Getting Ready for Tube Removal

    You’ve spent months (maybe years) keeping your child safe, nourished, and growing with a feeding tube. And now… the moment you’ve been working toward is here! Tube removal. But instead of just relief, you might be feeling other unexpected emotions: uncertainty, sadness, even a little fear.  Jeni and Heidi are here this week to help paint a picture of what tube removal and next steps may look like.    Getting ready to remove a feeding tube is a huge milestone. It’s often the goal from the very beginning, but when you finally arrive, it can feel bigger and more emotional than expected. After all the effort that went into placing the tube, using it, and eventually weaning from it, many families are left wondering: What now? The truth is, there aren’t a lot of resources guiding families through this specific transition. So let’s walk through some key things to consider.    How do you know it’s time?  While medical providers ultimately guide the decision, here are some important readiness signs to reflect on:  Growth & nutrition: Is your child eating enough by mouth to support their current growth in a way your team feels good about?  Sustainability: Is eating mostly self-directed? Or are there still frequent power struggles, pressure, or bribing?  Stability: Has your child made it through a stressor or big life change without using the tube? Things like illness, travel, transitioning to a new school, etc.  Body basics: Are hydration and elimination (peeing and pooping) consistent and comfortable?  And one more that matters just as much:  Are you ready?: That tube has likely been your safety net for a long time. Removing it can bring up more emotion than expected and that’s completely valid.    This isn’t just a medical transition! It’s also an emotional one. Take a moment to reflect on your family’s journey. The highs, the stress, the resilience. Many parents find that alongside the hard parts, there’s also growth. What you’ve learned, how you’ve adapted, and how deeply you’ve shown up for your child.    For your child, this experience may be harder to fully understand but it still matters. For some kids, the tube has always been part of their body. Letting it go might feel:  Exciting and freeing  Confusing or unexpected  Completely neutral  Just like saying goodbye to a pacifier, some children, especially older ones may need time and support to process the change. You know your child and how they handle changes and transitions.  If they need a little more time and preparation to process you can help by:    Talking about it ahead of time  Inviting questions and feelings  Creating a simple or meaningful “goodbye” (a story, drawing, or small ritual)    As you move forward, think about how you want to remember this chapter. Some families choose to:  Keep a small piece of equipment as a memory  Write a letter to their child about the journey  Share their story to support other families  “Paying it forward” by donating unused supplies or connecting with another family starting a similar journey.    It’s also so important to celebrate! This is a big deal. Whether it’s a quiet snuggle, a family celebration, or a simple moment of acknowledgment, try to pause and take it in. Your child has done something incredible. And so have you. Saying goodbye to the feeding tube isn’t just the end of something, rather, the beginning of a new chapter. One built on trust, growth, and everything your family has learned along the way. However it looks for you, make space for it. You’ve earned that.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    18 min

  3. MAR 10

    S2, Ep. 24: Getting Back On Track

    Jeni and Heidi are back this week to talk about how to get back on track when things feel like they're falling apart. Tube weaning is rarely a straight line. If things feel off track, you’re actually right where many families find themselves at least once in their journey.  Tube weaning is often expected to be a simple shift: less nutrition through the tube and therefore more by mouth. In reality, it’s much more complex. Medical needs, sensory experiences, digestion, motor skills, and emotional safety all play a role. On top of that, families are navigating stress, fatigue, and the pressure that can come with wanting the process to go well. Because of this, most weaning journeys include a moment where things feel like they’ve stalled or gone off track. That doesn’t mean your child can’t do it. In fact, these moments are so common that in our program we expect them and plan for them.  When this happens, the goal isn’t to panic or assume the wean didn’t work. Instead, it’s about getting back on track by pausing and zooming out. Much like climbing a staircase, if you get winded you don’t go all the way back to the bottom! Instead, you might pause at the next landing. During tube weaning, that might mean adjusting support, reassessing your child’s needs, and working with your team to find the next stable step forward.  Responsive feeding encourages families to look beyond just volumes and bites and consider the bigger picture:  Is the feeding experience a good sensory fit for your child?  Does your child feel safe and supported at meals?  What’s happening medically or developmentally?  What was different during the days that went well?  Progress during tube weaning is often subtle. Small shifts might look like more comfort at the table, a few extra bites, increased curiosity about food. All of those are meaningful steps in learning to eat. If you find yourself feeling stuck, it’s okay to pause, reflect, and seek additional support. Sometimes getting back on track simply means bringing in another responsive feeding professional who can collaborate with you and your medical team to help guide the next step.  It's true that transitioning from the tube to oral eating can be messy, emotional, and unpredictable but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Sometimes the most important step forward is simply pausing, zooming out, and finding the next place to begin again. You've got this and we're here to help!  ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    16 min

  4. MAR 3

    S2, Ep. 23: Hunger, Appetite, and Tube Weaning

    In tube weaning, we hear all the time, “We just need to create hunger.” But hunger isn’t a button you push. It’s a learning process and understanding that changes everything.    Hunger is the body’s physiological signal for energy. It’s driven by things like blood sugar and growth needs. Appetite is different: it’s the desire to eat, shaped by experience, interest, sensory input, and comfort. Both matter in tube weaning. For many tube-fed kids, hunger hasn’t been a consistent experience. Feeds are often delivered at the top end of calorie needs, which keeps children safe and growing but may leave little room to actually feel hunger. Sometimes what’s felt is relief from fullness, not true hunger.    What Gets in the Way?  High tube volumes limiting hunger opportunities  Stress or pressure around food  Overwhelm (even from fun or exciting activities!)  Trauma history affecting body awareness  Sensory sensitivities or regulation challenges  Neurological differences, medications, or day-to-day health changes    Every child, every opportunity, and every day is different.    What does it look like in tube-fed kids?  We often hear from families that when they first begin introduction periods of hunger into their child's day or eating experiences is that it doesn't look like it's "working".  It's important to remember that hunger is not an on/off switch. It develops through repeated, supported experiences over time. Early signs can be subtle:  Sitting at the table longer  Touching or smelling food  Small shifts in mood  Increased curiosity    Those moments count.  It's important to notice those and quietly begin to build on those successes by noticing how and when your child is responding and create situations that allow them to explore and expand at their own rate.     Give it time.  Skipping one feed doesn’t mean a child will eat that amount by mouth. It takes consistent, supportive exposure in the presence of manageable hunger. Too much hunger doesn’t help either. When a child is overwhelmed, learning stops. We’re looking for the middle: enough hunger to spark interest, not so much that it causes distress. Most importantly, we start with belief. Many children aren’t unable to feel hunger, they simply haven’t had the chance to learn what it feels like yet.    Instead of “flipping” hunger on, we carefully create space for it by:  Gradually adjusting tube feeds with medical guidance  Building manageable hunger without causing dysregulation  Offering repeated, low-pressure exposure to food  Supporting curiosity and motivation without expectation  Tube weaning isn’t about forcing hunger. It’s about creating safe, responsive opportunities for your child to experience their body’s signals and learn from them at their pace, in their way.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    25 min

  5. FEB 11

    S2, Ep. 22: Tubies at the Table

    Happy Feeding Tube Awareness Week! Jeni and Heidi are here this week to celebrate your family and to talk about how to gently and meaningfully include your tube-fed child in family mealtimes without pressure to eat. Meals are about so much more than calories or consumption! They’re also about connection, belonging, learning, and shared experiences. Whether your child eats by mouth, by tube, or both, they deserve to feel included, powerful, and safe at the table.    Things to consider:  Feeding looks different in every home and all of it counts!  Mealtimes are more than food. Yes, tube feeds happen in specific, medical ways (guided by your care team). But family meals can still be nourishing through connection, love, and togetherness.  Inclusion matters, even without eating. Your child doesn’t need to take bites to belong. Being present, silly, passing food, starting conversations, or just hanging out all count.  Follow your child’s comfort and cues. Participation might look different for every child. The goal is agency! Letting them join in ways that feel safe and manageable for them.  Let’s move away from “tolerance.” We don’t want kids just surviving mealtimes. We want meaningful, enjoyable experiences built around comfort and connection.  Self-regulation comes first. When kids are tube-fed and not hungry, it makes sense they’re not interested in food. We don’t want children learning to override their body signals just to meet expectations.  Connection over bites. Comfort, safety, and shared moments matter far more than tastes, licks, or mouthfuls.  There’s no need for perfection. Include your child in whatever way works for your family. Small moments of togetherness add up.  They’re learning even when they’re not eating. Kids soak in so much at the table! For example, how people interact, what food looks like, and that they belong.    And, if your child uses a feeding tube long-term, they can still grow up knowing they’re included and valued at mealtimes, no matter how they receive nutrition. This Feeding Tube Awareness Week, let’s celebrate every tubie, every caregiver, and every version of togetherness, because connection is always on the menu.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    14 min

  6. JAN 20

    S2, Ep. 21: Illness and Tube Weaning

    If your child gets sick in the middle of tube weaning, it can feel like the whole process is falling apart. It’s certainly frustrating but try not to worry. Getting sick is a normal part of childhood, and it’s something every child and family will face again and again over the years. In this episode, Jeni and Heidi talk about how illness can affect appetite, eating skills, and tube use, and they're sharing practical ways to respond without losing momentum or trust in the process.   It may be no surprise that kids get sick a lot. On average, children in daycare or preschool get sick 6–12 times per year, and elementary-aged kids 6–8 times per year. For families of tube-fed children, that means that an illness will almost certainly show up at some point during tube weaning, likely more than once.   Of course we don't want kids to get sick, but when it happens, it's important to figure out a plan that will allow you to respond safely and calmly. When kids are sick, their intake naturally changes. Children without tubes eat much less when they’re ill, and tube-fed kids are no different. During illness, many bodies need a break. That may mean loosening expectations and relying more on tube feeds for a short time and that’s okay. Supporting your child through illness may change the timeline of a wean, but it does not change long-term success.  Key points to keep in mind:  Safety comes first. Hydration and overall stability matter more than pushing progress.  Trust your child’s cues. Refusals, comfort foods, or reduced interest in solids are expected when sick.  Responsiveness builds trust. Respecting “no” during illness reinforces bodily autonomy and helps kids return to eating when they’re ready.  Kids don’t forget what they’ve learned. Even with setbacks, skills around self-regulation, trust, and feeding remain.  Plan ahead with your medical team. Ask: “What would we do if my child didn’t have a tube?” and set clear guardrails for illness.  For children with more complex histories, it may take a little longer to return to eating after illness. We know and have seen time and time again that with time, space, and responsive support, they do. Even in cases where tubes need to stay in longer or be temporarily reinserted (like NG tubes), this does not predict weaning failure. Illness isn’t the problem. It's the way we respond that shapes the path forward. When we stay flexible, prioritize safety, and lead with trust, kids recover, reconnect with food, and continue moving forward, even when their journey isn’t a straight line.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**      Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    25 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    S2, Ep. 20: Preparing for Tube Weaning

    If you’re thinking about tube weaning, this probably isn’t a new idea. It’s a question that’s been sitting with you for a while: Is my child ready? And underneath that, how do we prepare so this can be successful?     Readiness: Preparing for tube weaning starts well before any feeds are actually reduced, and a huge part of that is making sure your child (and you) are truly ready.  We look at readiness in a few big-picture ways.    First is medical safety: can your child tolerate weaning, and is it safe for their body right now?    Just as important (and often overlooked) is psychological, social, and developmental readiness. Tube weaning is a big change. For many families, the tube was life-saving or deeply stabilizing at one point, so the idea of removing that safety net can feel uncertain, or even frightening.    We want to think about what else is happening in your child’s world, too. Are there new siblings, new schools, big life changes? Is this a season where your family can handle a major transition? The stars don’t need to perfectly align, but these factors certainly matter.     Understanding the Big Picture: It's important to understand that tube weaning is not a straight line and not a checklist, rather, it’s individualized and holistic. Many parents are surprised to learn that “do no harm” is more important than developing skills or "plumping" kids up in order to prepare for transition to oral eating.  Kids don’t need to eat before they can be weaned; in fact, most kids learn to eat by eating and by discovering their own internal motivation. In the same way, weaning isn't just about intake, it should foster the development of self-regulation, and "plumping kids up” can actually undermine that process.  Growth and development are personal, and externally driving intake often makes the process harder, not easier.      Minimize the Negative: When food has felt uncomfortable, unsafe, or pressured for a long time, our first job is often to stabilize things and protect your child’s relationship with food and with the people feeding them. Sometimes that means pausing therapy exercises, backing off skill work, and creating space for rest, trust, and predictability. That pause can feel really uncomfortable for parents, but it’s often one of the most powerful ways to prepare a child for what comes next.     Create Stability: Creating ease and predictability matters more than many people realize. Tube-fed kids have often lived through constant changes: new formulas, medical tests, feeding plans, and schedules, all on top of regular life stress. They deserve a chance to experience food and daily routines without everything constantly shifting. This doesn’t mean avoiding food altogether. We want kids to still be included at family meals and to touch, explore, and play with food on their terms.     Foster Autonomy: Eating requires agency, and protecting your child’s ability to say “no” is not a setback. It’s a skill. Your job is to decide what food is offered and when, whereas, your child’s job is to decide if they eat and how much. A “no” is information, not failure, and learning that their body cues are respected builds trust that pays off later.     Prepare Yourself: Finally, preparation isn’t just about your child! It’s about the grown-ups too. Tube weaning changes routines, disrupts what feels familiar, and can bring up a lot of fear and pressure to “do it right.” Thinking ahead about emotional support, logistics, and flexibility is incredibly helpful.      Get curious: One of the most important jobs you have is getting curious, not just about food, but about your child. What helps them feel safe? What overwhelms them? How do they communicate comfort or stress? Many parents of tube-fed kids were never given the space to really learn who their child is outside of medical needs.       When safety, trust, and autonomy come first, the process has room to unfold in the way your child actually needs. Thoughtful preparation isn’t slowing things down. Instead, it’s how we protect safety, trust, and the long-term success of the weaning journey.    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    31 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    S2, Ep. 19: Navigating the Holidays

    Navigating the holidays while tube-weaning can feel like a lot. Busy schedules, big gatherings, and traditions with friends or family can all add extra pressure, even when you don't factor in a feeding tube!  When it begins to feel like too much, it helps to zoom out and remember the real goal of the season: connection. Your child can join in family rituals and be part of the fun even if their feeding journey looks different. When we focus less on how much they ate and more on shared experiences, mealtimes get lighter for everyone.    Two common holiday traps are pressure (“just try a bite”) and restriction (“not that food again!”). Even well-intended comments can make kids shut down or feel guarded around food. Instead, let the holiday table be a place to explore: seeing, smelling, touching, holding a cup, or sticking with comfort foods. By letting kids engage at their own pace, they are learning what is meaningful to them, rather than simply learning to be cautious and on-guard.     Family gatherings may bring questions or unhelpful comments about eating or progress. A simple boundary or ready-to-go phrase can protect your child and keep things calm. Remember that most people mean well; they just need guidance. Your own energy matters too! When you eat what you enjoy, take breaks, and forget about trying to be perfect,  your child feels safer and more regulated.    And remember: holiday eating is different for every kid. New environments and lots of stimulation naturally change appetite and participation. Your child might eat more, less, or barely engage and all of that is okay. What matters most is that they feel included and capable. Offer familiar foods, adjust routines if they’re overwhelmed, and give them ways to join the table that don’t involve eating. That might look like passing a spoon, chatting with family at the table, or eating separately and joining in once things quiet down. A mix of connection, boundaries, and flexibility creates a holiday season that supports both your child’s feeding journey and their overall well-being. You've got this! Happy Holidays!    ** Please remember this podcast is NOT meant to replace the support and guidance of your child's medical team.  Consult with your doctor before starting the weaning process.**    Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more helpful information @Thrivewithspectrum on Instagram and Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics on Facebook. You can also find out more information about the programs we offer at www.thrivewithspectrum.com

    21 min
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4.9
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Helping tube-fed kids become happy and healthy eaters.

Information

  • Creator
    Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tube to Table

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