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Nutrition

Healthy Eating Habits for Disabled Children 

Naturally, all parents want to make sure their children are properly nourished. But as the parent or caregiver of a disabled child, you cope with unique challenges when it comes to diet and nutrition. Malnutrition is a very real issue for children with certain birth injuries. More than one-third of children with cerebral palsy are malnourished. Malnourishment can put a child at risk for a number of serious problems and ailments.

Risks of Poor Nutrition 

The dangers of poor nutrition for your special needs child include developmental delays, slowed or stunted growth, and low levels of energy and stamina. All of these things affect your child's quality of life- and yours as well. Developmental delays and stunted growth are especially bothersome; not only do they affect your child now and can continue into adulthood. Low energy can also be detremental; if your child doesn't have the strength to eat very much, his/her stamina suffers. It is a tough cycle to break once it starts.

In the most severe cases, of course, malnutrition can lead to death. However, your child's medical team has a number of solutions at their disposal, including the use of a feeding tube, to ensure that your child receives the nutrition that he needs to stay healthy.

Problems of Malnutrition 

The best way to combat diet and nutrition difficulties is to become educated. Below is some information about typical problems that arise for disabled children and their parents at mealtimes.

Difficulty chewing and swallowing: Many nutritional problems stem from the simple fact that disabled children often have difficulty chewing and swallowing. As a parent, it can be frustrating to try to feed your child a healthy meal, only to have a small portion actually make it into her stomach (and this can be equally frustrating for your child). Parental aggravation, while normal and understandable, can be an obstacle in your child's nutritional intake. If you find yourself battling your child at mealtimes, take a break for a while. When you're both feeling calmer, try offering additional food.

Lack of opportunity for self-feeding: Kids with special needs often eat better if they can experience food with many of their senses. Some parents feed their child in an effort to hasten mealtimes or to make their child less "conspicuous" when in public. But if possible, let your child feed himself or, at the very least, let him feel the food with his fingers and see it when it's brought to his mouth.

Sensitivity to textures: Some children are very sensitive to texture in food and will react by refusing to open their mouths, spitting food out, or even vomiting. Smooth-textured foods can be one way to soothe your child while still providing adequate nutrition. Likewise, some children are not sensitive enough to food. Such a child won't chew or swallow because they don't realize that food is in their mouth. A program to sensitize or desensitize kids can be effective in managing these issues.

Learn more about traveling and transportation for children with birth injuries.

Learn more about assistive products for children with birth injuries.