Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or abnormal brain development. When a baby has this disorder, parents will notice problems with muscle tone, uncoordinated movements, excessive drooling and problems sucking, swallowing and eating. According to CerebralPalsy.org, 35 percent of children with cerebral palsy are malnourished. If your baby suffers from cerebral palsy, it is important to remember that her nutritional needs are the same as other babies her age, but the delivery system may need to be modified.
Eating Problems
Babies with cerebral palsy often have a hard time getting food down because the muscle rigidity associated with the disorder makes if difficult to swallow food and suck efficiently. This is because a baby may not be able to tell that his mouth is full so that he can swallow what is in there before getting more, reports Caring for Cerebral Palsy. When you begin to move your baby to solid food, be sure that it is a consistency that your baby is able to feel and get down so that he is getting adequate nutrients from his food. Having difficulty swallowing increases the chance that your baby could aspirate food or choke.
Positioning
Babies who have cerebral palsy need to be positioned correctly when they are eating because it improves the chances that the food will go down rather than being spit out or choked on. The position will vary from baby to baby so you may have to do some experimentation to determine the best one for your child. Caring for Cerebral Palsy adds that the right feeding position facilitates proper chewing and mouth movements involved with eating. Special feeding equipment is available and an occupational therapist will help you determine which products are right for your baby. This will ensure that your baby is getting enough food to cover his nutrient needs so that adequate nutrition is achieved.
Diet
Babies with cerebral palsy are at a higher risk of suffering from constipation and acid reflux, according to the book "Nutrition in Pediatrics." These problems interfere with calorie absorption so giving your baby foods that don't exacerbate them improves the chances that she will be adequately nourished. All that being said, a child with cerebral palsy should still be eating from all the food groups to ensure that she is getting a good dose of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients required for health as well as growth and development. CerebralPalsy.org recommends a diet that is also high in fiber and low in fat. A dietitian will make recommendations based on your child's particular needs.
Supplements
Your baby's doctor may recommend giving him a supplement if you are having extreme difficulty with getting him to eat. Most pediatricians recommend a daily multivitamin for babies, but your child may need a higher dose of some nutrients if he isn't eating very much, reports the Cerebral Palsy Source. Some babies with cerebral palsy refuse to eat because it is difficult so a supplement is some added insurance that will help protect against becoming malnourished.
