Over the past several days, Noah has been acting as if its difficult to swallow. At first, I just thought it was his normal reflux related spitting-out-the-bottle since-he-didn't-want-it, but he keeps spitting it out over and over, and then wants it back until he finally gives up and cries. I know this sounds pretty normal as far as reflux, but when I've given him meds the past two days, he almost chokes on it, which leads him to get upset. He eventually swallows, but it takes three or four just to get a tiny bit down (even a dose of Tylenol). Do you think he's just TRYING not to swallow, or could he be having another problem? I'm getting formula down him, but its not easy and its taking forever with this new "sip-here-sip-there" thing that is way worse than normal.

Hmmmmm, hard to know. We go through little "phases" where the boys do this kind of thing. AT the moment it's the sippy cup... drink and choke (but laugh as well) or spit it out. It's very frustrating. Stephen is a shocker at the moment with the bottle and I've put it down to teething as his gum has just split at the top and there is a pearly white coming through. Is it his teeth do you think?? Sometimes they don't like sucking on those tender gums.

If Tavin had not the bronchoscopy done I would not know that his vocal cords, laranyx, trachea are extremely inflammed which causes alot of discomfort. The word the docs use is malacia. All from the reflux. This is why Tavin has gone from a good-eater to a no-eater. Does Noah kind of snore or have noisy breathing? That is one of the signs of the inflammation in his throat. Along with the difficulty swallowing. Ice cold pedialyte is all I can get him to take.

I am so sorry he is having a hard time. :hug: Hugs for you and Noah

If there is inflammation, then it can cause swallowing issues. If he has had no problem swallowing prior and it is now an issue, then I would get him checked out as it is likely something brewing like tonsilitis, strep, sinus infection, etc.

Iain just got over another virus that made his throat swell and we gave up on giving him prevacid for 4 days as he was choking, gagging, and surprised us by puking up his prevacid (he is our silent refluxer, yet he would puke up only his prevacid, nothing else.)

Frankly, after the problems we have had with Iain and his non-eating issues that started with the introduction to solids, I would insist on getting him an OT and checked out. We are living with a 21 month old kid here still learning how to eat because we missed the feeding skills window of 4 months to 8 months.

Likely, it is a temporary thing with a virus or such right now, but he has been doing enough of a dance with his drinking that he needs something more to be addressed. If you think it is not normal, then it needs investigation.

Alright, Noah is eating decently off a spoon. Well, really only yogurt and he eats that pretty well.

BUT, the bottle thing is going down hill. I don't whats going on. Now, it seems just like the aversion thing is kicking in full force. When I try to feed him, he immediately begins fighting me off and I can't even get it into his mouth.

Who should I call? Do you think its an infection that my ped can deal with, or should I call the GI? Our check up with him isn't for a month, but he did say to call sooner if we had any problems. Noah does not seem sick other than the not eating thing.

Maggie, I would push for the GI and OT help. If he is 7 months old, only eating youghurt, having consistant problems with the bottle, not eating "normally" then I would insist that it is time for some intervention. The feeding skills window is small.

Ask yourself if he is eating normal foods for his age group. Is he growing well? Is he eating a variety of foods? Is he intaking fluids well? Is his reflux under control? Are there any other GERD complications?

I am very upset that Iain lost that feeding skills window and do not wish anyone else to have to go through what we are to this day. It would not hurt to set up a timeline at the very least for intervention with your GI, but I think he could use the help now. Bear in mind, it takes forever for referrals as well.

Why is it that Noah will only take yogurt? Is it because it tastes better, or is there some other reason? I just don't get it...

It could be that it's thick and he can swallow it better. :?: Or, b/c it's cold? Maybe it feels good. He might be teething, or if his throat is inflammed, it might be soothing. :?:

Sorry, not much help! :oops:

Will he eat anything else at all? Specifically a different texture? I know you posted about the beans and I was relieved to see that he is doing that food, too. If he is primarily eating only youghurt and nothing else that is not great. Iain ate NOTHING at all regardless of what we tried. He started on purees at 14 months of age and that was really it. Some kids like smooth and silky, some purees, others prefer crunchy. Every child is different. If he is focused on and eating only one food and is unable to or refuses other foods at 7 months then he is requiring some help in my opinion.

Can you tell I am a rabid feeding skills activist now? :lol:

Leigh

Thanks for being so helpful. Noah only ate the beans when I covered them up with yogurt or slipped in a few bites between lots of bites of yogurt. Once he realizes they're in his mouth, he gets upset and won't eat again. So, I suppose yogurt is all he would eat if he didn't have a sneaky mom that thinks he needs other things.

The most he has ever eaten of another food is those stupid beans, and he might have had 1/5 of the jar. Otherwise, he usually takes 3-5 bites worth of whatever I give him disguised with yogurt.

Has your ped or GI addressed this problem at all? Does he spew out the foreign food? It is enough that he gets upset and stops the feed. Sounds like you do need OT. His weight is an issue, correct? 1/5 of a jar of food is not great at all. Believe me there were months where I prayed Iain would take that much (in a month :shock: ) but really it is NOT enough, now is it? Even if he is guzzling back the youghurt, he is missing many things in his diet and not learning about other foods and textures. He could very well have a sensory intergration issue if he will swallow the foreign food if covered in youghurt at the very least.

Do a food log. Mark down what he eats exactly with amounts. Mark down what foods you have tried, how you have tried to introduce them and his reaction. This is important.

I am on the verge of a HUGE rant for feeding skills, but I will spare you, ok? My blood literally boils when I realize that other people are not being addressed with feeding problems regardless of how big or how small they are preceived to be. ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

There. I feel better.

Don't spare any of the details. I've been so concerned about Noah's eating habits since he was about 2 months, but nothing has been done about it since he gains weight. He IS fine as far as weight goes. He's slimmer than some babies, but still in the 30-40 percentiles.

A month or so ago, our GI ordered the scope, but then called it off (we agreed) due to Noah's improvement after a med increase. He DID say that if he found something, he would treat it, but if there was nothing, he'd send us to someone to help with behavioral issues. Is that what you're talking about?

Behavioural in that OT can help with figuring out why he eats the way he does. Maybe he has major texture aversions and would benefit from therapy for that. Maybe he is like Iain and has just learned that eating hurts and needs help to move away from old habits that can stall his eating skills. Maybe an OT can see him in action and figure out if his ped or GI are being aggressive enough in treating his GERD. Our OT said to get him on prevacid right away, but he could not swallow it back in April. Now that he is back on it after months of working with him it has made a big difference (once we get him back on the right kind of prevacid, that is :roll: )

To scope or not to scope is a big question and a hard one to decide on. Since he is gaining and does not seem to have complications, it was probably good to wait on it for now. I think that your GI was referring to feeding skills behaviour like we are getting in to with Iain now after months of OT and a dietician. I would reccommend the OT and dietician first, though.

It does not matter that he is 30 to 40th percentile for weight. Really, I can make Iain into a porker in a few weeks by supplementing the daylights out of everything he mouthes, but that does not solve his problems, does it? My main concern is feeding skills and whether or not Noah is eating what he should at this point. Does he stick to only one food or texture? Has he ever had any other foods or textures? Is he willing to try new things? Does he react to different textures and foods? Does he gag up or vomit up the foods that you place into the youghurt?

Maggie, sorry to hear about Noah not doing well! Connor was doing this a few days ago and then came down with a really bad cold! He was doing the same thing like he couldn't swallow, choked on tylenol and even his mylecon made him gag. Maybe Noah is coming down with something? Connor just had so much congestion he couldn't swallow. Hope Noah starts eating better!

Just have to pop back in again and say how much I love the pic of Conner! What a cutie!

Leigh

I really appreciate your concern. Its so hard for me because I feel like he's going no where, but at the same time, I'm telling myself that he'll come out of this. I think I will talk to the GI about it in December, but if the swallowing thing persists (its calmed down quite a bit), I will call sooner. Today, he's barely taking an ounces and he's had the hiccups FIVE different times. :cry: :shock: :(

Thanks Leigh :D

Maggie... just a quick comment.. beans can make bubs really gassy and they are hard to digest. Here, they don't recommend beans until 8-9 months.
The other thing to is disguising food within food.. ie. putting yoghurt over foods you want him to try. I don't mean to offend but I'm not sure that is the best way to go. It's important they try the foods as they are...
I know we often put meds in foods to disguise the bitter taste, but that's a little different.
Ho hum.. it's not easy is it?? :roll:

Sarah--

Yeah, I think I'm going to hold off on beans for a while. My ped told me I should be offering green beans and peas, but I'm not going to for a while after he got sick.

I do offer bites of just plain old fruits and veggies, and after he gets a taste, he clamps his mouth shut. I figured that putting it in with the yogurt tricks him into getting a milder taste of the new food. This might be a bad idea, but I guess I thought it was maybe a good way to get him used to the tastes and textures that he is refusing. It only works for a couple of bites, anyways... He's a smart little guy! :D

Oh Maggie.. I didn't mean to criticise at all.. this feeding thing is so hard. I would just hate for Noah to start refusing to eat the yoghurt because he will associate mummy trying to hide food in it that he doesn't like/ makes him gag etc!! It doesn't tkae them long to work it out. That was why I said that.... :D

Sarah

Don't worry, you didn't criticize me at all. I'm on here because I'm very open to suggestions and advice. I'd rather hear new ideas from you guys if you've got them (which you always do :D ). I'm so stressed about all of this. I put a call into the GI, because Noah has been crying all day and not eating ANYTHING, so we'll see what he says...if he ever calls back. :roll:

Oh Maggie... (((HUGS))) I sure hope the GI erings you back soon. I take it that he is drinking his bottle????

Unfortunately, no, Sarah, no bottles either. He's taking an ounce here and there, but I think he might be feeling a little better after he finally got an okay nap. GI hasn't called, and now I doubt he'll call until after the holiday. :cry:

I'm so stressed about all of this. I put a call into the GI, because Noah has been crying all day and not eating ANYTHING, so we'll see what he says...if he ever calls back. :roll:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

How's he doing? :(

Oh, oh. Not even drinking? Watch for something. I do hope it is a cold or virus, ok? Funny how wishing that here on IRD is a positive thing! :? I forgot about your Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! Hopefully Noah will be drinking again tomorrow. How is he tonight?

Nice to know that the doc went away without calling you. :evil:

How did he go over night?? As much as I hate to suggest it.. will he "sleep feed" for you??

AHHHHH! I'm home. I was so nervous since Noah wasn't eating when we left, and he didn't eat the entire trip. I'm talking ten ounces or less Thursday and today, but I think he's feeling better. I think reflux flare plus being in a strange environment really made things tough for him. He cried the ENTIRE TRIP. I've had about 12 hours of sleep in the past three days...

I'm hoping Noah will do better now that we're home. No signs of any virus, which I was secretly hoping for, too.

Oh Maggie you poor thing 12 hours of sleep :? I'm glad you guys are back home hopefully Noah will start feeling better and you can get some rest!

Hi...I'm a mom of a 2 month old little guy! He is the light of my life...I feel so bad about his reflux. He was diagnosed at 2 weeks old...over the past week my dh and I have noticed that Frankie is having some swallowing problems too. He takes the bottle like a little tiger...but then it takes between 5-10 mintues for the formula to go down...During that time he has snorkling...(formula in the nose) and occassional stridor. We are seeing the GI on Monday....I"m really concerned...any clue what could be causing this? Any suggestions? Also, sleeping is a real problem. We tried everything and tummy sleeping seems to be the best...but I'm a nervous wreck because of his age. We ordered a Tucker Sling and waiting for its arrival....I'm sorry to hear that Noah is having such a tough time...It's not easy at all! My heart goes out for all of us going through such a tough time

Hello and welcome to the boards! I would highly suggest that you go to our feeding forum and post your concerns there as you will get more responses, ok?

The 5 to 10 minutes to take the bottle is not bad at all. Many have kiddos who take forever to drink, so maybe it is a fast flow problem for him? Does he have normal or fast flow nipples? Does he snurgle after drinking? Cough at all? Stridor is not good. Maybe he is an aspirator (my wee one has some aspiration problems and this has caused asthma as a result of reflux). Do you prop him for feeds? For sleep? I do not have experience with the Tucker, but if you view some old topics I know there was one recently regarding it.

What meds is he on? Or are you waiting to see the GI?

I could switch this whole topic over to our feeding issues forum and will likely do that anyway for you, ok?

THank you for switching my concern over to the correct board. I had no idea that there was a forum for feeding problems. Frankie is on Zantac Efferdose and Mylanta 4x a day. We prop him for everything...he does all the things you mentioned...snorkling, coughing, choking, wheezing. It actually takes us 50 minutes to feed him 4 ounces. We have to stop 10 minutes between each ounce for the formula to go down. We acutally have an appointment tomorrow with the GI. She is going to listen and watch the feed to evaluate this situation. I will keep you updated to this situation....

Stacy

How did the appointment go?

The appointment yesterday went well. Of course all the symptoms that we were worried about did not present themselves at all! The feeding went well. The dr. listened and said all of the gurgling that we hear is normal for a fluxer and it is not going into his lungs. That was such a relief. WE had wanted to put him on a stronger medicine...but the GI said they needed to scope him first to put him on a PPI. WHich I am not thrilled about. We figured we would wait till be rec'ved the tucker sling and luckily it came last night. He did pretty well on it...Althought I didn't sleep much because I could hear his reflux coming up. His witching hour is between 3:30-4:30. Then this morning her was terrible. He was in so much pain. Everytime the refluxant came up he would cry. So I call his ped. His ped. also put him on Prevacid today without doing a scope. We just gave him the first dose at 2 and now he is sleeping...I don't know if it is out of pure exhaustion or the medicine working. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for asking...how is everything going in your neck of the woods?

Stacy

I am so sorry that I did not get back to this post. :oops: Somehow, I did not receive a notification.

Anyway, I am so happy that your ped put him on prevacid! It is ridiculous to make him wait for the med when he is in pain. I think I know what the GI wants and that is to see if there is any damage and while he is off meds he will gain a better idea of what is going on internally with your son. Iain was on meds for nearly 2 months and when he was scoped they found blood in his stomach, likely from esophagitis. They waffled back and forth about it being GERD (drove me BATTY!) as this GI does not diagnose GERD unless damage is present and evident. Our key was his response to the meds, thus GERD.

How is he doing now? Is the prevacid helping at all? We LOVE prevacid here as it has my youngest son back on to food again and increasing his intake. There is a definate difference with his being on it.

Tucker sling helping at all?