[tri-med] Re: introducing oral feedings

In a message dated 10/20/2004 1:20:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Our gastro surgeon told us that kids who eat primarily  by tube feedings 
tend to get an oral aversion.  He said it is difficult to overcome it, and I 
think he said that they commonly can do it around the age of 8
JENNIFER:   My daughter has a feeding tube and has since birth,,,started as a 
ng tube and now has g-tube (also fundo).  We were told to work on oral feeds 
and she should be eating by the time she is 5 years old.  We faithfully worked 
on it hard every day.  We saw therapists and even drove 3 hours a month to a 
special feeding group.  We were also recommended to stop ALL tube feedings by 
a doc and see if she would eat orally by cold turkey for 2 entire weeks.  That 
didn't work.  Age 5 came and still no oral feedings.  Very minimally, yogurt 
a bite or two every few weeks.  We were even told that her brain damage and 
lack of oral eating during critical development periods caused her to lose the 
connection between brain and stomach and she would never sense hunger.  WELL>>> 
 She is now 8 and she is requesting to eat something right when her next tube 
feeding is due.  She is still only eating pureed items but daily she requests 
food and it is linked to when she is due for a feeding. (Every 2 hours).  I 
never thought we would be here... especially after age 5 went by and nothing.  
We are far from oral feeds as a means of nutrition.  She is not chewing and 
not moving food to sides of her mouth but it is exciting and encouraging that 
she is experiencing hunger and requesting foods she is capable of eating.  Even 
if only supplemental or as we refer to her as a recrecational eater!!

Jennifer - Mom to Emily (8) T13 Mosiac & Hannah (5) Michigan, USA


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