Hi all,

I just started to gravity feed my daughter and everytime I put the milk through her tube she starts coughing. She doesn't do it all the time and after the feed is done she stops coughing. Does this mean she is refluxing when she is getting this fast feed? She also doesn't vomit when she starts coughing. Is there a particular way to do gravity feeding so that she doesn't cough?

Any suggestions will help.

Thanks

Ada

I'd just try slowing it down some, see if that helps. Is there a reason the hospital didn't give you a pump? Holy cow, you deserve a medal doing gravity feeds!!!

We do have a pump. It just takes so long to go through. She is on the pump for about 20-30 min. for 1 feed. I just thought I wouldn't have to carry the pump around any more.

Roni I have been wanting to know how Shae is doing? How old is she now and is she still on the pump?

Thanks for your feed back.

Ada

Oh, ok, so then you're doing the gravity feed much faster than the bolus with the pump? That would be the problem I would suspect. Best advice is to slow it down and work up to increasing it's speed slowly.

Shae's doing well. She's six now and still on continuous j-tube feeds about 20 hours a day. We are slowly seeing her vomiting decreasing. On bad days now we may see two barfs a day. She's also had a bit of a growth spurt this year. She's about 34 lbs and around 39" tall.

I have continued to do the gravity feed and it is actually getting better. She isn't really coughing much now. I don't if her stomach is getting used to it or what. I am not getting rid of her machine as of yet though. You never know when you will need it again. It is just so much easier and you have to carry less bags.

Wow how does she do with school? Does she take anything by mouth? Do the doctors have any clue if she will ever be off of the tube? Did she have low tone and speech delays?

I am sorry to ask so much questions but I just want to see how my little one will be in the near future.