ADULTS AND PARENTS
General Information

Food and Diet Information and Tips In-patients We take food and diet on the ward very seriously, as it is one of the main factors in helping patients recover their strength and get better. All of the food served to patients is of the highest quality standard. If you have any special dietary or religious needs please speak to your doctor and / or nurse who will help you implement this into your child's recovery. Feeding your Infant with Congenital Heart Disease Feeding provides nutrition for your baby’s physical and mental growth. It is also an important opportunity for you to bond and communicate with your child. Infants with congenital heart disease can be a challenge to feed. They tend to become breathless during feeding, tire easily, take frequent breaks and therefore are very slow to feed.Babies with heart defects have high nutritional requirements because their hearts’ have to work harder and they also tend to use more energy to breath. As a result of this and a poor oral intake these infants may not gain weight appropriately.Your paediatrician or cardiologist will check your infant’s weight. If your infant is failing to gain weight appropriately they will refer you to the paediatric dietitian. What is the best feed for your baby? Infants with heart problems can be fed by breast or bottle, however we do recommend that breast milk is usually the best feed for your baby. What can be done if your infant is struggling to feed orally? Your healthcare team can give advice on practical ways on how to cope if your baby is struggling to take his/her feeds orally. Do: • Find a comfortable, quiet place at home to feed your infant • Try smaller, frequent feeds (speak to your healthcare team for advice) • Wind your child regularly during feeds to prevent vomitingKeep your infant’s head elevated during feeding • What can be done if your child is bottle-feeding and failing to gain weight? • Your dietitian can advise on suitable feeds. • It may be appropriate to commence your child on an energy supplement that can be added to their feed or to commence a higher energy feed. What can be done if your infant is breast-feeding and failing to gain weight? There are several options that can be discussed with your healthcare team. It may be necessary to supplement breast feeds with bottle feeds of a high energy milk or to express the breast milk and add additives to it to increase the nutrient density of the breast milk. When should I commence solids? Weaning foods are usually introduced when an infant is 4-6 months. Try a little cereal e.g. baby rice mixed with baby milk or your own milk if you are breast feeding. Pureed fruit or vegetables e.g. apple, pear or carrot are also suitable. Speak to your health visitor or dietitian for further weaning advice. How can I be referred to a Dietitian? If you are concerned about your baby’s feeding or weight and would like to discuss this with a dietitian. Please speak to your consultant, GP, health visitor or outreach nurse and they will be able to refer you to a state registered dietitian. There is usually a dietitian based at your local hospital or at your GP surgery. What will the dietician do? Your dietician will: • assess your infant and determine if he/she requires extra energy to help them grow determine the most appropriate feed to meet your child’s needs • give you practical advice on the management of your infant’s feeding • closely monitor your child’s progress • help you and your child overcome any dietary or feeding problems you encounter. Updated Winter 08/09