This engaging intermediate to advanced course utilizes a multidisciplinary, holistic approach in the NICU and after discharge to facilitate feeding in fragile infants and develop caregiver skills.
This course provides immediately applicable practical information to help clinicians better identify and treat the factors that impact successful oral feeding of preterm and ill term infants. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach both in the NICU and after discharge to early intervention through the first six months the course emphasizes strategies to facilitate infant abilities and develop caregiver feeding skills. Breastfeeding is emphasized as the best feeding method for infants, with some strategies to support breastfeeding. However, most of the feeding strategies are for bottle feedings, since more infant feeding problems occur with bottle feedings. The objective is to identify feeding readiness and provide intervention strategies from a framework of normal development. A holistic approach integrating the medical fragility of these infants is emphasized, using the BROSS approach and the SOFFI (SM) Method.
Participants will be able to apply course learning immediately to:
Identify necessary components of infant development that indicate a readiness to begin and sustain oral feeding, including physiologic, motor and state organization.
Discuss the development of oral-motor skills in preterm infants.
Describe the interaction between medical and developmental levels as they relate to feeding readiness and the progression
Identify infants who are not following a normal progression.
Use the BROSS approach to identify the development of oral feeding skills and use the SOFFI Method to guide feeding decisions and intervention strategies.
Use principles of normal development and developmental supportive care to facilitate feeding progression, to include contributions of both the family and the professional team.
Identify the impact of various medical conditions on oral feeding success.
Education Resources Inc. (eri) and Dr. Brown’s Medical have partnered to improve access to the latest, high quality education for feeding therapists and other healthcare professionals working in the NICU, PICU, acute care, EI and home care settings.
Education Resources does not endorse any product.
Dr. Erin Ross is the creator of SOFFI®, a holistic feeding program for caregivers in the NICU. Dr. Ross received her Ph.D from the University of Colorado in 2007, and her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 1988. She completed a two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado Denver in 2009. Dr. Ross provides clinical consultation to several NICUs within the HealthONE System, in addition to providing professional education and research consultation through Feeding FUNdamentals, LLC. She is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics within the University of Colorado Denver, and is also on Faculty at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Dr. Ross has published several book and journal articles, and specialized clinically in the areas of feeding skill development, and the etiology and treatment of feeding and growth problems in infants and very young children. She brings over 29 years of experience, and provides a perspective that crosses over the initial hospitalization through the first 5 years of life.
"Fabulous current evidence provided to back up current practices. This will really help when speaking with & trying to convince our doctors & NNPs." -Melissa Dawson, OTR/L
"This course was very informative and clearly taught by an individual who has a great command of the material. I felt like I was able to walk away from the course with a global view of the infants feeding difficulties and not just a window of the feeding issue in isolation which I feel woll help to lead to improvised overall quality of care." -Amy Stumpf, SLP
"This is one of the best infant feeding courses out there! Great references/data to bring back to physicians. Really appreciated the incorporation of breast feeding in this course. Sometimes this is the biggest battle in NICU because there is such a focus on counting volume & weight gain." -Ashley Pugh, SLP
"This course completely changed my thinking about feeding babies. I know now how to make a positive difference for my patients and can't wait to start implementing what I've learned. Erin Ross was a very approachable and knowledgeable presenter!" -Monica Pollard, SLP
"Dr. Ross is a wonderful speaker who presented the information in an easy to understand format and answered all questions above & beyond my expectations. This course is wonderful for therapists of all levels. You can feel the passion Dr. Ross has for treating and teaching about infant & premature development and feeding. i was able to apply information to past & present clients/patients and leave with immediate confidence & supportive research for application in process." -Jessica VanBrocklin, SLP
"Erin Ross was personable and extremely engaging. I enjoyed her presentation style and most importantly her knowledge pertaining to feeding. She displayed passion and vast clinical and research based materials to discuss intervention related to such a complex population." -Carolyn Noelke, SLP
"This is a seminar that should be included in every graduate class and all nurseries in the country! Erin is a great presenter and a wealth of information. Thank you." -Elina (Hellas) Karayannacos, SLP-CLC
Emory Johns Creek Hospital
6325 Hospital Parkway
Johns Creek, GA 30097
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Education Resources, Inc. is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered for 1.3 Continuing Education Units (Intermediate Level, Professional area) ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures