APPENDIX 5: Feeding Equipment

Table 21: Feeding Equipment
Adapted from (NSW Office of Kids and Families, 2016)

There is a broad range of specialized feeding equipment on the market including nipples and soothers, cleft palate nipples and bottles, cut away cups etc. Below is a list of the feeding equipment discussed within the CPG including features and examples of the identified items.

Sensory and oral motor

When selecting sensory and oral sensorimotor items, consider the following:

stimulates a more active sucking pattern
works towards reducing hypersensitivity in the mouth
increases tolerance for food textures
reduces the strength of the tonic bite reflex
increases acceptance of objects in close proximity to the face and mouth
increases oral experience and exploration for the purposes of addressing tongue, lip, and jaw movements
Increases oral organization

Features	Examples
Sensory awareness toys Some toys build simple awareness of sensations in the mouth
Sensory discrimination toys Other toys offer more complex sensory opportunities including variations in textures, smell, sound, or light
Chewing practice Toys for chewing or mesh food bag for chewing on foods safely and increasing food exploration
Pacifier/Soother When selecting a soother, consider the following: The size and shape of the child’s mouth Same or similar shape as the preferred bottle nipple (if infant has difficulty making sensory transitions) Has an outer shield that is molded to the shape of the lips Accommodates other equipment on the child’s face (e.g. oxygen or enteral tubing)
Nipples Considerations when selecting nipples may include: Correct fit for the size and shape of the infant’s mouth Flow rate needs to be appropriate for the consistency of the liquid, the infant’s abilities and positioning Firmness of the nipple to match the infant's sucking strength.
Bottles Considerations when selecting bottles may include: Bottle size (i.e., holds the appropriate amount of fluid) Accommodates nipples with the recommended flow rates Free of bisphenol A (BPA). Ease of availability in the community or cost of bottle if lost or damaged

Features

Examples

Sensory awareness toys

Some toys build simple awareness of sensations in the mouth

Sensory discrimination toys

Other toys offer more complex sensory opportunities including variations in textures, smell, sound, or light

Chewing practice

Toys for chewing or mesh food bag for chewing on foods safely and increasing food exploration

Pacifier/Soother

When selecting a soother, consider the following:

The size and shape of the child’s mouth
Same or similar shape as the preferred bottle nipple (if infant has difficulty making sensory transitions)
Has an outer shield that is molded to the shape of the lips
Accommodates other equipment on the child’s face (e.g. oxygen or enteral tubing)

Nipples

Considerations when selecting nipples may include:

Correct fit for the size and shape of the infant’s mouth
Flow rate needs to be appropriate for the consistency of the liquid, the infant’s abilities and positioning
Firmness of the nipple to match the infant's sucking strength.

Bottles

Considerations when selecting bottles may include:

Bottle size (i.e., holds the appropriate amount of fluid)
Accommodates nipples with the recommended flow rates
Free of bisphenol A (BPA).
Ease of availability in the community or cost of bottle if lost or damaged

Cups

When selecting, consider whether the cup:

encourages optimum head position when drinking (e.g., can be tipped to get liquid at the lip without tipping the child’s head back)
does not shatter or break
gives the feeder a clear view of the child’s mouth
provides a thick or rolled lip for extra stability
provides a graded control of liquid flow
is easy to hold and regulate liquid flow when held by an adult
provides an appropriate physical shape and means of holding for a self-feeder
is visually interesting to the child.
option of single or dual handles

Features	Examples
Cup and mug holders
Cups with handles/grips
Cut out rims
Cups with spouts/lids Some cups have internal valve that can be adjusted to reduce flow

Features

Examples

Cup and mug holders

Cups with handles/grips

Cut out rims

Cups with spouts/lids

Some cups have internal valve that can be adjusted to reduce flow

Straws

Considerations when selecting straws may include:

yhe amount of suction required to draw the liquid
a one-way valve to prevent the liquid from flowing back down the straw between sips
length and width
can be cut, bent or adjusted to accommodate child’s skills
does not shatter or break if the child chews or bites on it

Features	Examples
Squeeze straw cups (e.g. Honey Bear) These types of straw cups allow for the straw to be loaded without suction, thereby reducing the amount of suction required to extract the fluid
One-way straws
Extendable straws

Spoons

Considerations when selecting spoons may include:

the bowl size for appropriate amount of food
the bowl shape to best match and promote optimal oral motor skills
metal spoons are covered, coated or have a plastic bowl for the child who is hypersensitive to the temperature or taste, or has a bite reflex
the spoon does not shatter or break if the child bites it
the length of the handle is appropriate for the feeder’s hand for dependent feeding and appropriate for the child’s hand for independent feeding
adaptive handle to facilitate the child holding it independently
appropriate weight and a pleasing texture for the infant or child to hold
color and design to maintain the child’s attention
moulded handles to promote secure grip handle
angled spoons to accommodate a variety of movement patterns

Features	Examples
Shallow, flat or narrow bowls
Handles which are textured, contoured, curved, built-up or looped
Angled handles (left- and right-handed)
Weighted spoons
Shallow, flat, or narrow bowls
Plastic coating

Features

Examples

Shallow, flat or narrow bowls

Handles which are textured, contoured, curved, built-up or looped

Angled handles (left- and right-handed)

Weighted spoons

Shallow, flat, or narrow bowls

Plastic coating

Other Cutlery

Considerations when selecting cutlery may include:

adaptive handles facilitate a child’s grip. Some handles may include a ridge to prevent hand slipping forward towards the spoon’s head
if maintaining a grip on the handle is an issue, a hand strap with a slot to hold the handle
the length of the handle is appropriate for the feeder’s hand for dependent feeding and appropriate for the child’s hand for independent feeding
appropriate weight and a pleasing texture for the infant to hold
color and design to maintain the child’s attention.

Features	Examples
Handles which are textured, contoured, curved, built-up or looped
Angled handles (left- and right-handed)
Elastic straps (either integral to the design or as a separate item)

Features

Examples

Handles which are textured, contoured, curved, built-up or looped

Angled handles (left- and right-handed)

Elastic straps (either integral to the design or as a separate item)

Plates/Bowls

Considerations when selecting plates and bowls may include:

weight (e.g., a heavier plate is less likely to slip)
a slip-resistant mat or built in suction cup to help to stabilize a plate or bowl
a plate guard or lip to assist with the loading of the food