Tube Weaning Program FAQs

Our tube weaning program boasts an impressive 95% success rate. With the support of our experienced infant feeding specialist, we provide personalized care to help babies gradually transition from tube feeding to oral feeding.

Each baby’s journey is unique, and we carefully monitor their progress, making adjustments as needed to ensure they thrive. Our approach focuses on comfort and confidence, giving both babies and families the support they need to reach this important milestone.

Our program is structured to provide thorough assessment, individualized planning, and consistent support throughout the weaning process. Here’s what’s included:

• Assessment - Upon booking, you will receive a detailed questionnaire to help us understand your child’s medical history, feeding background, developmental profile, and overall family context. Our team reviews the information to evaluate your child’s readiness for weaning and to identify any specific considerations that may impact the process.
  
• Consultation - In this session, we review your child’s feeding history and current challenges, using clinical expertise to identify key goals for the weaning process. We’ll clearly explain the personalized plan and address any questions or concerns you have, ensuring you feel informed and supported as we move forward.
  
• Plan - You will receive a structured, individualized plan that outlines the steps of the weaning process, tailored to your child’s needs.
  
• Support - Once the program begins, we provide daily email check-ins to monitor your child’s progress, offer guidance, and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Yes, many families are able to successfully and safely wean their babies from feeding tubes at home with the right support and guidance. Our program is designed to help you feel confident throughout the process. We provide personalized care plans tailored to your child’s medical and developmental needs, along with continuous support from experienced clinicians.

We prioritize your baby’s safety by closely monitoring their progress and adjusting the approach as needed. Because you know your child best and they thrive most in a familiar, low-stress environment, home-based weaning can often lead to better outcomes. You're not doing this alone — we’re here every step of the way.

We do not provide medical advice. If you believe your baby’s troubled behavior is due to a medical condition, we recommended that you discuss this with your baby’s doctor. However, be aware that a diagnosed medical condition will not spare your baby from experiencing one of many developmental and behavioral problems often responsible for distressed infant behavior, feeding and sleeping problems. So if medical professionals have been unable to provide solutions to your baby care dilemma, it might be that the cause is due to a developmental or behavioral reason, both of which are within our field of expertise.

The length of our tube weaning process can vary and typically takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months. The exact timeline depends on several factors, including your baby’s age, how long the tube has been in place, the reason for the tube, any physical or neurological barriers, and the commitment to the program.

Our infant feeding specialist works closely with families, providing a personalized approach and adjusting the process as needed.

Yes, babies can still learn to bottle feed after the suck reflex fades. While the reflex typically disappears around 6-8 weeks, with the right support and practice, babies can develop the skills needed for bottle feeding. By using the right techniques and equipment, babies can learn to suck, swallow, and manage liquids successfully, even if they didn’t start bottle feeding right away.

We focus on tube weaning to bottles because breastfeeding introduces more variables that makes the process more complex. Breastfeeding requires a different sucking mechanism and can vary from one feeding to the next, making it harder to track how much milk your baby is getting. Bottles offer a more consistent and measurable way to monitor intake, which is essential when weaning from a tube. This approach also significantly increases the chances of successful tube weaning. It provides a more reliable method to adjust tube feeds and ensure your baby is getting the right amount of nutrition. Additionally, weaning to breastfeeding can be especially challenging if there is a low milk supply.

Once your baby has successfully weaned off the tube and is consistently bottle feeding, it’s possible to return to breastfeeding, though it will depend on your baby’s individual situation and how recently your baby has last breastfed.

If your baby has never orally fed, it’s still possible for them to learn how to bottle feed, as long as there are no physical barriers to oral feeding and they are medically cleared to begin. The first step would be to have a preparation tube weaning consultation, which focuses on laying the foundation for successful bottle feeding. During this consultation, we’ll work on building your baby’s comfort with the bottle and establish positive feeding behaviors. Once they are ready, we’ll gradually introduce oral feeding, focusing on developing the skills to suck, swallow, and manage liquids. This process is individualized and will progress at a pace that matches your baby’s needs, helping them learn bottle feeding and gradually transition from tube feeding to oral feeding.

If your baby has difficulty with sucking or swallowing, it’s important to ensure they are medically cleared for oral feeding and that a swallow study has been done to rule out any underlying issues. Once this is confirmed, we can proceed with the weaning process, keeping in mind that sucking and swallowing are learned skills that may take time to develop. Some babies may need additional support to build these skills. We’ll assess your baby’s specific needs and tailor the approach to ensure they progress at a comfortable pace. This may include using specialized feeding techniques or equipment to assist with their oral motor development. In some cases, further therapy, such as working with a speech or occupational therapist, may be recommended. Our goal is to help your baby gain confidence and competence in feeding, ensuring a safe and successful transition from tube feeding to oral feeding.

While we have a very high success rate of 95%, we do not offer guarantees, as every baby is unique and the tube weaning process is highly individualized. The success of the program depends on a variety of factors, including your baby’s specific needs, any underlying medical conditions, and their developmental stage. Additionally, a successful outcome is greatly influenced by the commitment and involvement of the parents in following the program and recommendations.

Although we cannot guarantee results, we are dedicated to providing expert guidance and ongoing support throughout the process. We work closely with families, tailoring the approach to your baby’s progress and any challenges they may face. While there are no guarantees, our focus is on creating the best possible environment for success, helping each baby transition from tube feeding to oral feeding at their own pace.

A tube weaning plan is essential because it ensures a safe, structured transition from tube feeding to oral feeding. Every baby is unique, and factors like the reason for the tube, their developmental stage, their feeding abilities, even temperament must be considered to create the right approach. A personalized plan carefully balances your baby’s nutritional needs while simultaneously stimulating hunger, gradually reducing tube feeds and increasing oral feeds at a pace that’s comfortable for your baby. By following a carefully designed plan, we can support your baby’s development, meet their nutritional needs, and help them successfully transition to oral feeding with confidence.

No, we take a gradual, slow approach to tube weaning, prioritizing a safe and supportive transition. This method carefully balances your baby’s hunger cues with the need for sufficient hydration and nutrition, ensuring they receive enough nourishment throughout the process. By gradually reducing tube feeds and increasing oral feeding, we can monitor your baby’s progress closely, adjusting as needed to maintain their safety and well-being. This approach helps your baby adjust at their own pace while reducing stress and promoting a smooth, successful weaning experience.

During the first 12 months, milk serves as baby’s primary source of nutrition. At this stage, baby is still developing the strength and coordination in their facial muscles, which is essential for effective feeding. Sucking from a bottle or straw cup helps build these muscles, but a straw/ cup isn't yet suitable for full feedings. While it’s great for the baby to experiment with both a bottle and a straw cup, the main focus should be on the bottle, as it provides the most reliable way for the baby to get the nutrition they need. Most babies under 12 months are not yet able to drink a full feed from a straw cup. Some may begin to manage small sips earlier, but for the majority, it takes a bit more time to develop those skills. The bottle remains the best option during this crucial period of growth and development.

During the tube weaning process, it’s possible for your baby to experience a small amount of weight loss, particularly in the early stages. However, we ensure that your baby has a safe BMI and a buffer for any potential weight loss before starting the process. We take a slow and gradual approach to weaning, which helps minimize weight loss while ensuring a safe transition to oral feeding. Any temporary fluctuation in weight, similar to what might happen during a mild illness, does not affect your baby’s overall growth.

The decision to remove the tube will be guided by your consultant, as it depends on your baby consistently achieving full oral feeds and demonstrating positive bottle-feeding behaviors. Your consultant will assess your baby’s progress and ensure they are ready for this step, ensuring a smooth and safe transition.

Every baby is unique, and factors like the reason for the tube, their developmental stage, their feeding abilities, even temperament must be considered to create the right approach. In some cases, babies may not yet be ready for a full tube weaning process. A Preparation Tube Weaning Plan is essential for ensuring that your baby is in the best possible position to safely transition from tube feeding to oral feeding safely.

We’ll work on getting the right equipment, establishing proper feeding positions, and fine-tuning feed timings and amounts to ensure your baby is set up for success when reintroducing oral feeding.

In this session, we focus on removing any fear or hesitation your baby may have about bottle feeding. Although there may not be any oral intake during this period, the goal is to gradually familiarize your baby with the bottle and the feeding process. We’ll guide you through adjusting feeding schedules, determining the right amounts, selecting the appropriate bottles and equipment, and finding the best feeding positions. Additionally, we’ll equip you with strategies to respond to your baby's behaviors during feeding to strengthen their relationship with the bottle.

The timeline varies for each baby. If your baby is underweight, they’ll need to reach a safe weight before starting the tube weaning process. Based on your baby's progress with the Preparation Tube Weaning Plan, we’ll provide specific benchmarks to guide when they’re ready to transition. Some babies may take a few weeks, some less, while others may need more time to build the necessary skills and confidence as well as being at a safe weight to transition.

While some babies may begin to orally feed during this phase, the primary focus of the Preparation Tube Weaning Plan is not on immediate oral intake. Instead, we’re focused on laying the groundwork for future oral feeding by addressing any fears or hesitations your baby may have, adjusting feeding schedules, selecting the right equipment, and finding the most comfortable feeding positions. This foundational work ensures that when your baby is ready, they will have the confidence and support needed for a successful transition to oral feeding.