Kirsty’s son, Nico, has had trouble consuming enough food since his premature birth. After seeking medical help to find a way to get him to consume enough nutrients, a non-allergenic formula from the company Kate Farms was decided on.
However, according to a press release by the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Foundation, Nico’s insurance wouldn’t cover the formula. Kate Farms provided samples to help the family, but eventually Kirsty discovered the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Foundation.
She applied for an emergency grant through the foundation. The foundation gave the family $1,000 to buy the Kate Farms formula.
“We are so grateful we found the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Foundation to help us cover the cost for the specialty high-calorie formula that my son relies on for his growth,” Kristy said. “It has taken a huge burden off our minds as we can now focus on getting Nico the calories he needs, while working on building his skills and relationship with food.”
Started by two speech pathologists, the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Foundation is a recently established nonprofit organization that seeks to help families with children who may have feeding and swallowing disorders — health problems, that according to the foundation’s website, may not be covered by children’s health insurance, but can be financially ruinous.
“Families of children with pediatric feeding disorders report moderate to catastrophic financial burden,” Brianna Miluk, president of the foundation, said. “Basic essentials from extra sheets to specialized equipment are all necessary to care for children with PFD [pediatric feeding disorder].”
The foundation, launched in fall 2020, defines pediatric feeding or swallowing disorder as a child’s difficulty in eating food by mouth. It adds that the disorder may be due to a variety of things including medical, nutritional, skill or psychosocial deficits.
“This can impact a family’s everyday life significantly, as mealtime and food consumption are a basic human need,” the foundation’s website reads, citing that related disorders could impact over 2 million children under age 5 in the U.S. alone.
To learn more about the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Foundation or donate to the nonprofit organization, visit feedingsupport.org.
