Our Process

Growing Independent Eaters believes that children can wean from feeding tubes safely and most successfully in the comfort and safety of their homes when parents and caregivers are empowered to be their child’s best therapist. As such, we are happy to offer Tube Weaning support in countries all around the world!

We take a multi-disciplinary approach to weaning, meaning that every family who works with us is supported by a clinical team that consists of a Feeding Therapist, a Registered Dietician and a mental health team that consists of a Parent Coach and a Mental Health Counselor – all of whom are licensed appropriately in their fields. Together, we will write a personalized weaning plan for your child and then coach you, step-by-step, through implementing that plan.

Need some more convincing? Check out our testimonials page for reviews and success stories from our weaning families.

Working with Growing Independent Eaters on a wean comes in three separate steps: Intake Form, Pre-Program Consultation, and Wean Program.

Step 1: Intake form

What it is: A detailed set of questions about your child and their feeding situation. 

What it’s for: Helps us determine if working with GIE is an option for your family. If your situation is too complex and we do not feel we could help you, we will recommend seeking out local professional help. 

If your Intake Form is approved by our team, you can purchase a Pre-Program Consultation.

Step 2: Pre-Program Consultation

What it is: A 1-hour consultation with a member of your clinical team (either a Dietician or a Feeding Therapist) and a review of videos of your child around food. 

What it’s for: This consultation helps to mitigate any pre-wean issues with tube feeds, and provides recommendations on what steps you can take prior to weaning in order to set yourself up for success. It also helps give us the detailed information we need to support you while weaning, and provides the opportunity for you to ask us questions about our weaning method and approach.

You MUST purchase and complete the Pre-Program Consultation before purchasing a Wean Program.

Step 3: Wean Program

What it is: A personalized weaning plan, and day-to-day coaching through the plan, both by a clinical team and a mental health team.

Each wean includes: 

  • A “Wean Start” call with a member of your clinical team (either a Dietitian or Feeding Therapist).

  • A 1-hour session with our social worker to determine strategies anxiety and stress strategies.

  • Weekly (or more!) support with a Parent Coach, who serves as a peer and parenting mentor throughout the wean process.

  • A 6-8 page written wean plan, covering how to eat together, foods to offer, and how to reduce tube feeds for your child specifically.

  • Access to a members area on our website with training materials and resources to help your process.

  • Access to a private Facebook Group for our GIE members only where you can access additional support and advice from our environment.

  • A set number of support hours that can be used to talk with your team and receive direction and help on how to progress through the weaning process. Parents can use this support time in the ways that are most helpful for them: messaging, reviewing videos, phone and/or zoom calls, etc. 

    • This time never expires, so families can receive support before, during and long after weaning is finished!

    • Families can always add more support time to their program. We offer 1-hour extensions, or a bundle of 3-hour extensions. 

    • 1-and-3-hour options can be added any time, and are only available to GIE members. 

  • There is no limit on how often you can contact your team!

    Post-wean support: You can purchase individual hours of time with any of our team, for support after weaning (transitioning to solids, starting school, any mealtime worries, etc.). We are here for you! 

What if my child isn’t tube-fed?

For children who are not tube-fed, the steps for working with us are: Intake Form and Happy Eaters Program.

If your intake form is approved by our team, you can purchase the Happy Eaters Program.

More questions? Check out our FAQs here or email us at info@gieaters.com.