APPENDIX 6: Feeding Equipment
Table 20: 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:
|
|
Nipples Considerations when selecting nipples may include:
|
|
Bottles Considerations when selecting bottles may include:
|
|
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 |
|
Straws
Considerations when selecting straws may include:
- The 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. Honeybear) 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 |
|
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) |
|
Plates/Bowls
Considerations when selecting plates/bowls toys 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
Features |
Examples |
High sided plates and bowls |
|
Portioned plates |
|
Plate guards |
|
Slip resistant bowl |
|
Additional Resources: