Difficulties in introduction of complementary foods to breastfeeding in non-dysphagic babies: effects of speech-language pathological interference

Abstract

Introduction: In the transition period from breastfeeding to pasty and/or solid food, such modification
may be not well accepted by the mother and/or baby and cause subsequent feeding and/or language
problems. Objective: To describe the effects resulting from speech and language therapy while facing
the difficulties in the introduction of complementary foods to breastfeeding in non-dysphagic babies in
a biopsychic approach. Method: studies carried out by philanthropic institution of health in accordance
with ethical criteria for research with human beings. Casuistry: Five mother/baby dyads, babies from
both genders over between 5 and 8 months old showing weaning difficulties to pasty food and without
any diagnosis of either mechanical or neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia. The sampling was obtained
by convenience. Procedures: Four meetings were conducted, three of home visits, in which were applied
three evaluation instruments adapted from literature. After the speech-language pathological interference
the last one was a reapplication for the purpose of comparing before and after. Results: After speechlanguage
pathological interference, choking episodes were eliminated, meals became more pleasuring for
mother/baby dyads and babies started accepting food more adequately. The results show that there was
statistically significant difference between before and after speech-language pathological interference.
Initially, the average was 16,0 points (dp=1,0), and end 21,2 points (dp=0,8), (p=0,001). Conclusion:
Speech-language pathological interference in a biopsychic approach promoted benefits in the cases studied