Just don't get it!

[nicksmom]

Hi all,
I hope you and your families had a wonderful thanksgiving. Â*

It's been a while since I've updated on Nick and I promise to do so as soon as I get a chance. Â*He is doing great, a few minor issues we will get through but overall he is doing wonderful. Â*

My question is HOW DO I GET HIM TO DRINK??? Â*The doctors keep telling me drinking is the first thing he should get. Â*Well, it's NOT!!! Â*He has started eating "a little" by mouth (about 4-8 oz. a day). Â*He has tried all kinds of food (baby to table), nothing consistant, nothing in large amounts but he will put everything in his mouth and chew to mush and spit out. Â*Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that we have started to make progress but the drinking thing is starting to drive me crazy! Â*I can't get any liquid in him unless I put it through his g-tube.Â*I have tried everything possible, bottles, cups, straws, sippy cups, regular cups and he says NO whenever I put it in front of him and the best part is he tries to put it in his g-tube. Â*He knows liquid has always gone in his button and he tries to put any liquid there and none in his mouth. Â*We have been through 3 feeding inst., numerous evals and he gets 3 hrs. a week of feeding/speech therapy. Â*No one can seem to help. So if any of you have any suggestions PLEASE......HELP!

Thanks!
Lots of hugs
Carrie

[cmnorman]

I wish I could add some words of wisdom but we are struggling with the same thing. Marisa can take solids and we are trying to get rid of her NG tube...however, she won't take huge volumes of anything but maybe some water via a sippy cup. I can't complain, she does still nurse with me....but it isn't enough to get her going.

Our ST said since Marisa likes water (go figure), put water in sippy and/or bottle. We also take the regulator out of the sippy since she doesn't have to suck it out. It will take time. I am not sure if your son has had problems with aspirating but maybe thickening the liquid can help them. Like add oatmeal, cereal, simply thick, etc to help it go more slowly and not likely to aspirate or cause coughing (which my daughter can do well!). Also, since my daughter was intubated for a while, she has a high palate, which makes lip enclosure interesting around certain nipples on bottles. In fact, it appears that we are transitioning from breast to sippy better than a bottle. You can even try liquid on a spoon. I know, not efficient but worth a try.

Don't be afraid to try different things to drink...formula, milk, watered down everything, you name it. Just getting a good delivery system is key and sticking to it. And patience, patience, patience!!!

Michelle

[Elizabeth's Mom]

My daughter aspirates thin liquids if taken from a cup or straw. She's ok if we use a spoon. Have you tried a spoon?

[Laurie]

I would suggest thickening the liquids also. Evan also aspirates thin liquids, although he likes water, and at least in the past was much more willing to drink with thickener added. We use Simply Thick, and thicken to "nectar" consistency.