Baby not starting to take solids well, has had tests that don't show problem, doc has NG tube in

[peaceful_mama]

Hi

My baby is 10.5 months old and is very slow to grow.  He was also born with low imperforate anus and has a colostomy.  He has been very slow to start eating solids.  We did a swallow study about 2 weeks ago, it was fine.  He had an upper GI on Thursday and a scope Friday--both OK other than some inflammation of his stomach that very well may have been a little bug, he puked a bit on Wed. and that is not normal for him.  Doctor mentioned it but didn't send us home with anything for it.

He stayed in the hospital overnight Friday--high blood sugar that corrected itself and is assumed to be related to stress.  (He will be following up with an endocrinologist.)

I'm thinking part of the 'problem' may be that I have supply changes related to my cycle--since my other kids all took to solids fairly well, they very likely naturally increased their intake some to make up the difference and I never noticed.

Our GI doc put him on an NG tube for night feeding.  It's essentially a supplement, one oz an hour through the night. 

After watching him try to eat today, I'm afraid that if we keep this in long, we are going to create a larger sensory problem.  :(

He was super-interested in some mashed potatoes, but he gagged on every 3rd bite....too many experiences like that could *create* a problem, right?  :(

I'm totally willing to make him whatever he likes even if it's just a couple of foods to start with that he'll actually eat, and serve small samplings of other items.

That and I really don't like him receiving formula.  (I don't get a whole lot after he's done eating, I've never been much of a pumper but until this one, I grow a baby just fine.  I have 2 other totally b'fed kids to prove it.  ;) )

[KCMichigan]

Originally Posted by peaceful_mama 

Hi

My baby is 10.5 months old and is very slow to grow.  He was also born with low imperforate anus and has a colostomy.  He has been very slow to start eating solids.  We did a swallow study about 2 weeks ago, it was fine.  He had an upper GI on Thursday and a scope Friday--both OK other than some inflammation of his stomach that very well may have been a little bug, he puked a bit on Wed. and that is not normal for him.  Doctor mentioned it but didn't send us home with anything for it.

He stayed in the hospital overnight Friday--high blood sugar that corrected itself and is assumed to be related to stress.  (He will be following up with an endocrinologist.)

I'm thinking part of the 'problem' may be that I have supply changes related to my cycle--since my other kids all took to solids fairly well, they very likely naturally increased their intake some to make up the difference and I never noticed.

Our GI doc put him on an NG tube for night feeding.  It's essentially a supplement, one oz an hour through the night. 

After watching him try to eat today, I'm afraid that if we keep this in long, we are going to create a larger sensory problem.  :(

He was super-interested in some mashed potatoes, but he gagged on every 3rd bite....too many experiences like that could *create* a problem, right?  :(

I'm totally willing to make him whatever he likes even if it's just a couple of foods to start with that he'll actually eat, and serve small samplings of other items.

That and I really don't like him receiving formula.  (I don't get a whole lot after he's done eating, I've never been much of a pumper but until this one, I grow a baby just fine.  I have 2 other totally b'fed kids to prove it.  ;) )

Yea babies!!

My little people are 6 now, so it is always nice to hear about little ones.

One of my DDs has severe reflux and GI issues (has since birth). She is a slow grower as well (at age 6 she is 37 lbs).

I will say that mashed potatoes are *not* the best  (per our Occupational Therapist) since the texture is difficult/lumpy especially at 10 months. One of my DD STILL will not eat them (yes, she does have sensory issues, but she is not my little one w/ GI concerns). I would go for yogurt (probiotics!) or pureed fruit/veggie (pear, apple, etc) or kefir

Have you asked about feeding therapy? We did it for both our DDs and it was fabulous. We brought our own foods, so that was not a concern on what they were using. They did a lot of oral motor exercises to help reduce gagging, oral defensiveness, tongue thrusting, and improve chewing. It was really a positive experience and the therapists worked on positive reinforcement only.

I will tell you my DD w/ GI issues gagged from age 10 months to even now at 6. She does not have sensory issues. She is not a great eater (volume) but does eat a good variety. My other DD does not gag and does have a multitude of sensory issues, but not really food related (with the exception of mashed potatoes and other lumpy blended foods).

Disclaimer: we did do formula and a very specialty high cal fortified predigested one at that for my DD that has GI concerns. It was the best choice for our family (I could not BF due to my own medical issues, even consulted LLL), but I sure wish I could have!