About Erin Sundseth Ross, PhD, CCC-SLP

I learned many new ideas about feeding

“Even for an old NICU nurse like me, I still learned many new ideas about feeding fragile preemies that will benefit baby and family.”

-Dawn E., RN

Feeding Fundamentals

2018-08-27T19:51:05-06:00

-Dawn E., RN

“Even for an old NICU nurse like me, I still learned many new ideas about feeding fragile preemies that will benefit baby and family.”

https://www.feedingfundamentals.com/testimonials/i-still-learned-many-new-ideas-about-feeding

Can’t wait to implement this practice into my therapy.

“Loved this conference. The organization of it was great. Starting with the “why” the first day was so informative. Loved the hands-on practice and practical applications. I’m so glad I chose this conference. Can’t wait to implement this practice into my therapy. I will be watching for Homeostasis throughout the session!”

-Lauren N.

Feeding Fundamentals

2018-08-27T19:49:35-06:00

-Lauren N.

https://www.feedingfundamentals.com/testimonials/cant-wait-to-implement-this-practice-into-my-therapy

Supporting professionals and working with families

I greatly appreciate Erin’s approach to training, supporting professionals and working with families. I am excited and honored to learn from her any chance I get.”

-Sarah M., LCSW

Feeding Fundamentals

2018-08-27T19:52:13-06:00

-Sarah M., LCSW

I greatly appreciate Erin’s approach to training, supporting professionals and working with families. I am excited and honored to learn from her any chance I get.”

https://www.feedingfundamentals.com/testimonials/supporting-professionals-and-working-with-families

Clear Perspective and Confidence

“Dr. Ross has finally given me clear perspective on what to look for in successful and challenging infant feeding. Huge boost to my confidence.”

-Lyall P.

Feeding Fundamentals

2018-08-27T19:44:14-06:00

-Lyall P.

“Dr. Ross has finally given me clear perspective on what to look for in successful and challenging infant feeding. Huge boost to my confidence.”

https://www.feedingfundamentals.com/testimonials/clear-perspective-and-confidence

Videos show what to pay attention to

“The videos were great learning tools. Dr. Ross expertly described what we should notice and pay attention to so that we could determine how well the feeding is going.”

-Elizabeth W.

Feeding Fundamentals

2018-08-27T19:45:29-06:00

-Elizabeth W.

“The videos were great learning tools. Dr. Ross expertly described what we should notice and pay attention to so that we could determine how well the feeding is going.”

https://www.feedingfundamentals.com/testimonials/videos-show-what-to-pay-attention-to

Feeding Fundamentals

Feeding FUNdamentals, LLC was founded in 2010 by Erin Sundseth Ross, Ph.D., CCC-SLP to advance the practice of infant feeding using evidence-based methods, with an emphasis on neuroprotective caregiving and family inclusion.

Dr. Ross applies her knowledge and experience from working in the Neonatal Intensive Care setting and Early Intervention Programs to improve the practice of managing feeding skill development for infants born prematurely, as well as medically fragile infants and young children. She also uses her expertise in program development and evaluation, biostatistics, research methodology and outcome measurement to drive meaningful and positive change in health system processes and professional practice in these areas. Her consultation and professional development services enable both professionals and systems to work towards improving feeding outcomes in medically-fragile infants and young children.

Education

Dr. Ross received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1988 from California State University, Stanislaus. She earned her Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1989.

Dr. Ross has since been awarded seven "ACE" Awards (Award for Continuing Education) by ASHA for her efforts and dedication to learning, as well as teaching and educating practice professionals in neonatal feeding and pediatric feeding development and disorders.

In 2007, Dr. Ross received her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Clinical Sciences - Health Services Research.

Her doctoral thesis, entitled “Early Growth Velocity Predicts Longitudinal Growth Failure,” focused on using weights collected during well-child visits from birth to six months to identify infants at risk of later growth faltering.

Dr. Ross remains steadfast in her mission to develop clinical pathways and mechanisms that best support the overall growth and development in the developing neonate and newborn infant.

In 2009, Dr. Ross completed a two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado. This additional training allowed her to gain practical experience in developing and conducting research, as well as information on clinical nutrition.

Clinical and Research Expertise

With over 20 years of NICU and Early Intervention experience, Dr. Ross provides a perspective that spans the initial hospitalization through the first 5 years of life.

She is certified in the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) and in the Assessment of Preterm Infant Behavior (APIB). Her continued work has been recognized by NIDCAP Federation International.

Dr. Ross is currently a Clinical Instructor at the University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Family and Infant Interaction. She is Faculty at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and teaches in the Pediatric and Neonatal programs.

Dr. Ross started her journey in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 1990 and continues to provide clinical consultation to several NICU’s in the Denver metropolitan area.

Dr. Ross’ research interests remain focused on investigating oral feeding skill development and growth in medically fragile and premature infants. She continues to collaborate and consult with many colleagues and peers throughout the world to support the use of best practice. Dr. Ross pursues her passion to conduct research and publishes important evidence about feeding development and early intervention feeding therapy, assessment, and practice.

Dr. Ross developed SOFFI^TM: Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants, in 2009. As part of this training, she developed the SOFFI^TMAlgorithm, a clinical pathway for supporting premature and medically fragile infants learning to eat orally. This algorithm was endorsed by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses in 2013, when it was incorporated into their Infant-Directed Oral Feeding for Premature and Critically Ill Hospitalized Infants: Guideline for Practice (Sables-Baus, S., et al., 2013).

“The use of the SOFFI in conjunction with this guideline is highly recommended. The SOFFI algorithm is grounded in similar principles as described in this guideline."

The SOFFI^TMAlgorithm has now been converted into an interactive, computer-based algorithm with supporting documentation designed to provide the user with an easy-to-use resource guide and will be available early 2020.

Dr. Ross offers the 2-Day SOFFI^TMTraining Course: Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants to professionals, clinical care teams, hospitals, and healthcare systems throughout the US and abroad.

She is available upon request for consultation and training on clinical research methods (i.e. conducting clinical research and implementation of developmentally appropriate feeding interventions) to practice professionals, hospitals, healthcare organizations, and healthcare systems.

Publications

Ross, E. (2017). Eating Development in Young Children: Understanding the Complex Interplay of Developmental Domains. In J. Saavedra & A. Dattilo (Eds.), Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Opportunities (pp. 230-264). London, UK: Elsevier Ltd.

Ross, E. Ross, E. S. (2017). Flavor and Taste Development in the First Years of Life. Nestle Nutr Inst Workshop Ser, 87, 49-58.

Ross E, Fuhrman L. (2015). Supporting oral feeding skills through bottle selection. Perspectives in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. 24(2):50-57.

... Click here for more publications

Ross, E. (2015). Contributing Author: Feeding Issues in the NICU Graduate. In W.F. Malcolm (Ed.), Beyond the NICU: Comprehensive care of the high-risk infant. 812-834. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, Inc.

Ross, E. & Browne, J.V. (2013). Feeding outcomes in Preterm infants after discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A Systematic Review. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews. 13(2), 87-93.

Ross, E. (2013). Development of Feeding Progression. In K. VanDahm (Ed.), Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment (pp. 35-54). Framingham, MA: Therapro, Inc.

Ross, E. (2013). NICU and Beyond: Advanced Practice Interventions. In K. VanDahm (Ed.), Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment (pp. 299-321). Framingham, MA: Therapro, Inc.

Horner S, Simonelli AM, Schmidt H, Cichowski K, Hancko M, Zhang G, Ross E. (2014). Setting the Stage for Successful Oral Feeding: The Impact of Implementing the SOFFI Feeding Program With Medically Fragile NICU Infants. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. Jan-Mar 2014;28(1):59-68.

Ross, E. & Philbin, M.K. (2011). SOFFI: An evidence-based method for quality bottle-feedings of preterm, ill, and fragile infants. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 25(4), 349-357.

Philbin, M.K. & Ross, E. (2011). The SOFFI Reference Guides: Text, Algorithms, and Appendices: A Manualized Method for Quality Bottle Feedings. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 25(4), 360-380.

Browne, J. & Ross, E. (2011). Eating as a neurodevelopmental process for high risk newborns. Clinics in Perinatology, 38(4), 731-743.

Toomey, K. & Ross, E. (2011). SOS Approach to Feeding. Perspectives in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, 20(3), 82-87.

Ross, E. (2009). Don’t be a “Babies R Us” Therapist: Thinking past the bottle in the NICU. Pediatric Feeding Newsletter, June, 2009.

Ross, E., Krebs, N., Shroyer, AL., Dickinson, LM., Barrett, P., Johnson, SL. (2009). Early growth faltering in healthy term infants predicts longitudinal growth. Early Human Development, 85, (9), 593-8. (PMIC 19608359; NIHMS ID: 127686)

Ross, E. (2008). Feeding in the NICU and factors that influence success. Perspectives in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, 17, (3), 94-100.

VandenBerg, K. & Ross, E. (2008). Individualized developmental care in the neonatal intensive care unit. Perspectives in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, 17, (3), 84-93.

Ross, E. & Browne, J. (2003). Developmental Progression of Feeding Skills: An approach to supporting feeding in preterm infants. Seminars in Neonatology, 7 , (6), 469-475.

Browne, J., Langlois, A., Ross, E., Smith-Sharp, S. (2001). BEGINNINGS: An Interim Individualized Family Service Plan for Use in the Intensive Care Nursery. Infants and Young Children, 14, (2), 19-32.

Browne,J., VandenBerg, K., Ross, E., & and Elmore,A.M. (1999). The newborn developmental specialist: Definitions and qualifications for an emerging role in the neonatal intensive care unit. Infants and Young Children, 11, (4), 53-64.

Abstracts, Posters, Webinars:

Fuhrman, L. and Ross, E. (2018) Foundations for Successful Feeding Post Hospital Discharge. (Oral Presentation). The Physical and Developmental Environment of the High Risk Newborn.

Ross, E. (2015). From Task-Oriented to Infant-Led Feedings: State of the Science. (3-part Webinar Series). Dr. Brown’s Medical Division.

... Click here for more

Horner, S., Ross, E., Hancko, M., Simonelli, A.M., Cichowski, K., Schmidt, H. (2013) The Impact of the SOFFI on Feeding Outcomes of Medically Fragile NICU Infants. (Oral Presentation and Poster). The Physical and Developmental Environment of the High Risk Newborn.

Ross, E., Johnson, S, Shroyer, AL., Prochazka, A., Dickinson, LM., Krebs, N., Pharo, S. (2008) Early growth faltering predicts longitudinal growth failure. (Poster). The Children’s Hospital.

Ross, E., Johnson, S, Shroyer, AL., Prochazka, A., Dickinson, LM., Krebs, N., Pharo, S. (2008) Early growth faltering predicts longitudinal growth failure. (Poster). Epidemiology Exchange.

Johnson, S., Ross, E., Grunwald, G.; Burger, K., Fisher, J.O. (2008) Increasing entrée portion size does not always increase children’s energy intake at a meal. (Presentation). Experimental Biology.

Ross, E., Johnson, S, Shroyer, AL., Prochazka, A., Dickinson, LM., Krebs, N., Pharo, S. (2008) Early growth faltering predicts longitudinal growth failure. (Abst. & poster). Experimental Biology.

Ross, E. & Browne, J. (2003). The Baby Regulated Organization of Systems and Sucking. (Abst.). The Physical and Developmental Environment of the High-Risk Infant Conference Proceedings.

Ross, E., Walker, L., Huft, D., & Weaver, P. (2003). The evolution of developmentally supportive and primary care nursing in a Level II nursery: A 5 year journey. (Abst.). The Physical and Developmental Environment of the High-Risk Infant Conference Proceedings.

Browne, J., Ross, E., Duran, E., & Berman, E. (1996). Using developmentally supportive care to effect outcomes of very low birth weight infants in a quality assurance process (Abst.). The Physical and Developmental Environment of the High-Risk Infant Conference Proceedings.

Browne, J. & Ross, E. (1995). The changing role of the developmental therapist in the age of healthcare reform (Abst.). The Physical and Developmental Environment of the High-Risk Infant Conference Proceedings.