How do you move from tube feeding to practicing eating by mouth?

The transition is always done together with the medical team (doctor, ST/OT, dietitian), progressing in stages: 1) evaluating whether your child can swallow safely, 2) pleasant experiences of touching and tasting with the mouth, 3) small amounts of enjoyable eating by mouth, and 4) increasing the amount. When a child goes a long time without eating by mouth, sensitivity around the mouth and refusal of eating tend to develop, so continuing oral care and chances to "experience taste" even during tube feeding helps the later transition. Rather than the amount or the pace, protecting the feeling that "eating by mouth is fun" may look like the long way around, but it's actually the shortest path.