Psychodynamic Treatment for Infants with Feeding Tube Dependency

ABSTRACT

Over the past three decades, a dramatic increase in infants with total food aversion and a dependence on artificial feeding via tube has been reported. This condition, known as Feeding Tube Dependency, is complex, and the psychodynamics contributing to it is largely unknown. To overcome FTD and the underlying food aversion, we must gain an understanding of the motivational patterns as well as the feeding relationship. Here, we outline the psychodynamic of Feeding Tube Dependency in early childhood. Based on this research, we suggest a treatment program and provide a case example.

Abbreviation: DC: 0-3R: Diagnostic Classification: 0-3 Revised; FTD: Feeding Tube Dependency; PTFD: Posttraumatic Feeding Disorder

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Parental consent

The parents in the case described in the paper gave consent to publish the case story. Names were changed. Place of home and year of treatment will not be reported in the case description. Due to the high frequency of treatments of the past 20 years, as well as very similar anxieties of infants and parents in the treatment, the specific case will not be recognized by others other than the authors and the parents.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Markus Wilken

Markus Wilken, Ph.D., is a psychologist and head of the Feeding Tube Dependency Institute, Essen. He is a trained infant mental health consultant. He developed a concept of psychodynamic and home-based treatment of Feeding Tube Dependency. He is practicing, training and researching all aspects of FTD together with his team.

João Vaz

João Vaz, M.Sc., is a clinical neuropsychologist with a background in neurological rehabilitation services and works as a consultant at in the Feeding Tube Dependency Institute. He adjoins neuropsychoanalytic and polyvagal insights into the home-based and online treatment services.

Johanna Boehme

Johanna Boehme, B.Sc., is a speech and language therapist and employed at the Feeding Tube Dependency Institute, Essen. She received training in swallowing and feeding disorder treatment.

Antonia Jockenhoefer

Antonia Jockenhoefer, M.Sc., is an occupational therapist employed at the Feeding Tube Dependency Institute. She received training in early trauma and attachment disorder treatment. She is an assistant teacher at the EvH University of Applied Science where she teaches early intervention for high-risk infants.