Feeding pumps

[Alethia]

Angus has a Kangaroo pump and backpack when we want to go out. I hate this thing because it's always bleeping because the tube keeps getting blocked or gets airbubbles in it due to position changes. I'd either like a pump that isn't so dependent on positions, OR something which would allow me to clip the pump onto the buggy frame along with a feed bottle. If such a thing doesn't exist, I think I'll ask my Dad (he invents all sorts of things) to create one. It'll be less bulky and cumbersome than that backpack!

We don't really get told about all the different bits and pieces available for feeding, trachs, etc because things just get provided according to hospital policy (usually what's cheapest!). Angus wouldn't have a Bivona trach now if I hadn't found this site and done some research into it myself. I'm so glad I found all of you because collectively you know so much more useful stuff than I can find out on my own.

Love,

Kate

[indiemum]

Kate,


The one we love after the kangaroo (made for a giant man)LOL! is the entralite. Indie used Kangaroo until she was about 15mo and then she began to take steps so we got an entralite and she started to pack it around at about 17mo.

Indie puked so horribly that we had to feed her over at least 3hrs so the kangaroo was really holding her back. With the enrralite, she could cruise all over and play and have fun and go everywhere. I have no regrets except that I should have started with that one. No pump is perfect but the tiny little entralite rocks compared to kangaroo. Hope it helps

Kellyxoxo

[Barb]

Alethia: Check out this thread: http://www.tracheostomy.com/cgi-bin/...l=feeding+pump
Most people vote for the Zevex Enteralite (myself included!!)

-Barb

[indiemum]

Sorry Val,

I didn't see the post until now. The barforama has slowly gotten better over the last 3 years. It just seems every year it got less and less and believe me we couldn't even keep feed down for the first year. However, if Indie gets sick, the first sign is for her to start to vomit. I truly used to cry because there was no relief in sight and I couldn't even hold her because she would vomit. I am a very happy camper now, so just hang in there, I promise it gets better.

Kelly

[Whitney]

I know this is a little off topic....but

We had decided we wanted the Zevex Enteralite and I called my insurance and they said that would be no problem. I called our DME company and they said they could supply it. They even told me how to get the orders written stating no substitutes so they would have to supply the Zevex. The NIGHT before they were to deliver the pumps they call me and leave me a message saying they are going to bring the Kangaroo instead of the Zevex. They CALLED MY DOCTOR BEHIND MY BACK and asked the doctor if the Kangaroo would suffice. They doctor's office said yes. They even called the feeding clinic doctor too. I am soo . I called them and told them to keep that crap and that I am switching DME companies. I am mad they went behind my back like that AFTER telling me they could supply it. I hate to say this, but I am going to use Apria now instead.....

From what everyone else told me though, the Zevex Enteralite is the way to go!!

Whitney

[indiemum]

Whitney,

I fought for my entralite. I was told that the kangaroo was fine so my argument (which was true) was that it was taking 3hrs per feed and Indie could not move because she certainly could not pack around the kangaroo so it was impeding her development and that was 100% true. We told them that she was very active and the less she could move, the less improvment she would make gross motor wise. Maybe you could contact your doc and take in the kangaroo with it's tiny little cary case LOL! and let him or her know that that is the expectaion of a baby to pack the stinkin thing around. Could you also borrow an entralite to show the unbelievable comparrison. I had trouble with the huge kangaroo but Indie was 17mo when she started to pack around her own entralite pump. Sometimes these med professionals need a freakin reality check. Good Luck

Kelly

[twintotwin]

Alethia-

I am in Kangaroo Hell over here.
Do yourself a favor and get the Zevex!

Love Kerry

[Alethia]

I had a look at the Enteralite and it looks really good. I shall put out feelers for it, but if they won't supply it I will have to buy one myself - seen any on eBay? LOL! The Kangaroo pump we've got (the 2100) isn't all that big, but it's the way it depends on the drip component that's very annoying (and somewhat pointless) because it HAS to be kept upright. If it didn't need that it could be laid any old how in a bag or in the buggy.

I hope you find ways round these battles with your insurance companies. It sounds like a total nightmare. I don't know what's worse when you compare the systems between here and the U.S. You guys have to do so much running around with these companies, whereas we just get stuff (on the whole), but things seem to take so much longer here. Angus still won't have a care team by the time he has his first birthday, and that's really frustrating. There is NOTHING we can do about that, unless we were so rich we could afford to hire people ourselves......but funnily enough, we're not that rich!

Love


Kate

[indiemum]

Val,

I think it is virtually pennies. I think that the entralite is only slightly more expensive but when comparing the two it is negligable.

Kelly