Our child had a feeding tube and we were highly misinformed when we opted for the option. He became incredibly dependent on the tube and it almost seem as if he forgot to be hungry and even "forgot" how to eat. In our experience, we find that doctors were so incredibly afraid of malpractice issues that they were reluctant to remove his feeding tube. We got into this terrible cycle where the tube was causing him a lot of vomiting issues and he did not want to eat, yet we needed the tube to keep him nourished.

We took a leap of faith and decided to wean DS off on our own. It was the hardest and scariest 4 months of our lives. I don't think I could have done it without my husband (who is a physician). Weaning my son off the tube was the best gift we felt we could have given him.

Baring underlining health issue that causes her to be declared in the "failure to thrive" category, you should allow her to eat on her own even if she is low on the growth curve.

There is a support group for tube fed kids that I found helpful.
http://tubefedkids.ning.com/

Best of luck, OP.

My son had a feeding tube from 9 months to almost 3. His issues were quite different from your child, in that he was aspirating rather than having difficulty getting enough calories.

As far as infection, because my child didn't have any restrictions for other reasons (e.g. immuno suppressed, or limited movement) He took baths, went swimming, played at the beach, crawled around in the woodchips at the playground, etc . . . I did keep it covered with a shirt or a rashguard because I worried about other toddlers grabbing the tube, and I didn't like the idea of putting sunblock on it in case it seeped into his stomach, but I never used gauze or anything He had one infection in the 2 1/2 years, and it wasn't severe.

Once my son was able to protect his airway when he swallowed, he transitioned easily to eating again.

I work with a little guy who is 5 and he has a g-tube. his mom loves it and it is great. No more fighting to get food in or liquid in, no more worrying about weight. He still eats orally at all meals but his (limited) intake is supplemented through the tube. The button is very inobtrusive and really no one at school knows he has it. They still go to the feeding clinic to continue to work on taking more by mouth and they work on this at home too but for now the g-tube has really added to the quality of everyone's life.
Occasionally the button can get pulled out and has to be put back in - you can be taught to do this, not a huge deal. The guy I work with has only had one infection.

I read that before you get a g-tube for you child you should discuss with the doctor about a timeline for getting it removed. That way there is a plan and it doesn't go on an on. Not sure where I read that.

I appreciate the pep talks and the calmness. Can you also tell me about the mechanics of how this works? Also, about what the surgery was like, avoiding infection, and the practical side?

BTW, my daughter is 5.

I have to agree with 18:13. Our daughter is 2.5, and has had a feeding tube since the was 2 weeks old (first through the nose, and then a month later a mickey button in the stomach). Yes, I remember that on some level it feels like you are "giving up" and waving the white flag if you go ahead and agree to the feeding tube. HOWEVER in retrospect, it's probably one of the best things we could have done for her nutrition wise. I don't know how old your daughter is, but her and her brain need proper nutrition to develop properly. The tube gets you that nutrition. It doesn't mean the tube will suddenly make your daughter "normal," however it does mean you'll be doing all you can to help her get the best nutrition she need to grow that you can.

What more could a parent want than that?

How old is your DC? My son had a gtube until age 2 for similar issues to yours. I loved the g-tube. Truly, it took a huge stress off and I know he was getting the nutrition he needed in those critical years. The surgery was simple and no-one has to see the g-tube unless you show them.

My child has a significant physical disability and it has always been a fight to keep her weight anywhere near the charts. She's tiny. For the umpteenth time, a feeding tube has been mentioned as a possibility. She doesn't have reflex or digestive issues but has motor issues that make it difficult for her to chew, swallow and get in enough calories.

We've been resistant to the idea of a feeding tube for so long, and yet last night I thought about it and I wondered if I can't see the forest for the trees. Is my attitude harming her? Should I consider a feeding tube if it could help her gain a few needed pounds and us not be so vigilant about forcing calories into her constantly? Or am I right to see this as a worst case scenario?

Your thoughts appreciated.