Infantreflux.org | Feeding Therapist??

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July 23, 2007 at 8:27 pm #39784

Anonymous
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Hi all,

So, I took Owen to his 9 mo appt and in general conversation with the nurse mentioned that I haven’t been able to move up to the 3rd foods b/c he gags almost at the sight of them. I’ve tried grinding my own food and giving him small pieces of food and crackers also to no avail. Now, I wouldn’t say that I’ve tried really hard at this, just here and there.

The doc came in and was pleased with everything, but wants us to see a feeding therapist. I don’t really think it’s that dire of a problem yet, but I took the number and said I would at least call.

Anyone have any advice with this?? Anyone had great luck?? I think he’s just a little slower than the average kid, for goodness sakes he’s been through a lot…….

Advice welcome!

He was 17 lbs 7 oz today, the 4th percentile. My doc was thrilled! I was not so much. But I have to think sometime he’s just going to take off. Or he’s just meant to be tall and skinny like his daddy??

July 23, 2007 at 9:24 pm #39785

Anonymous
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There are several LO on this site that have seen therapists and I am sure their mom’s will come along with some advice. I just want to suggest that if you have any concerns you may want o call because there may be a wait to get in. I asked my pedi GI about Chloe’s gagging in march and I was told “it’s normal” Meanwhile they are concerned with her weight gain and her slow progress with solids so they sent us to a nutritionist. I again mentioned to the nutritionist my concerns about the gagging because I felt it was not normal (I had done a 3 day food journal and also documented gagging incidents). She made a referral for the feeding team……This was in May originally the eval was scheduled for SEPT 17th! Fortunately, they opened up some new days so we go on the 8th of Aug.
Anyway, my point is if there is a wait you may want to schedule it and then cancel it if you feel that you don’t need it later.

July 23, 2007 at 10:07 pm #39786

Anonymous
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I can tell you what has happened with my friends little girl. She has an extremely sensitive gag reflex and won’t tolerate anything other than cheerios. After several weeks of pressure from friends and family, she is finally getting an occupational therapy eval. (which is feeding therapy). The little girl is now 13 months and still drinks mostly bottles all day with cheerios for snack. I think things would be a lot easier for them at this point had they had an eval. done a lot sooner. I completely understand your hesitation because Owen is still so little. That being said however, if there IS something to look into further…the sooner you can act on it the better. I know every child is different and he is most likely just fine. It is good that your doctor is being proactive about the whole thing though.

I guess I should also add that I worked in Early Intervention for a while as a Service Coordinator who set families up with different therapists. (speech, occupational, physical, developmental) From general experience, the sooner they can receive help the better.

Hopefully it’s nothing! GOOD LUCK!!!

amy00132007-07-23 22:07:59

July 23, 2007 at 10:34 pm #39791

Anonymous
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I would probably call as well.. just to get it.

But here is my positive info. My neice is NOT a reflux baby, but couldnt do solids until she was about a year! and would gag on even cherrios..and would even gag at the SIGHT of lumpier food.. weird, huh? BUT she is 15 mos now and does eat solids.. just EXTREMELY late, and her ped wasnt too concerned @ her one month appointment.. she said if she still is gagging at her 15 mos appointment, then they will send her to a therapist..and right after her one yr. she started tolerating it better.

soooooo, maybe he is just a bit late with it.. and he’ll be fine, but i would still just make the appointment just to speak with them..

July 24, 2007 at 11:28 am #39795

Anonymous
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I think it’s fairly common for reflux babies to be extra “gaggy” and take longer to get used to different textures. Bryce has a feeding-tube, so his case probably a little more extreme, but he couldn’t even tolerate purees without gagging until he was 14 or 15 months old. So I really don’t think you need to worry, but I guess it couldn’t hurt to have an evaluation and see. It is important to stay on top of things like this so they don’t get out of hand. Good luck! I’m sure you know better than anyone what to do since you’re around Owen more than anyone.

July 24, 2007 at 2:19 pm #39801

Anonymous
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Myles still could not eat a cheerio at a year without choking. I was worried of course and so was his doc. She wanted him to have an evaluation and possible feeding therapy as well, but I decided to wait until 15 months and see what happened. Well by 15 months he was eating crackers, cheerios, toast and a few other things and he kept improving with time. For him I think it was a combination of a very sensitive gag reflex (common with reflux babies) and his stubborn personality. When his gag reflex improved and he decided he wanted to try finger foods things finally turned around.

Many babies with or without reflux don’t like textured/stage 3 foods. None of my babies ate them and not many babies I’ve known would eat them. I think it confuses them. They are not sure whether to swallow or chew. So, I wouldn’t worry about him refusing stage 3 foods. Many babies go from puress to soft table foods.

Have you tried Gerber Puffs?

I don’t think it would be a bad idea to make an appointment since the wating times can be so long, but he may just turn the corner on his own like Myles did.

Great news on the weight gain!! At least he’s on the charts, right?

ndrose2007-07-24 14:20:34

July 24, 2007 at 2:29 pm #39805

Anonymous
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We’ve been told by several feeding experts that it’s very typical for reflux babies to be gaggier than non-refluxers. The sensation of the reflux at the back of their throat can create a hypersensitive gag, which can interfere with feeding. They do usually get past this, though if there aren’t other feeding problems like a feeding aversion or other oral motor or sensory issues.

He’s only 9 months though, and many normal babies haven’t mastered the skill of doing anything other than purees at that stage, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Stage 3 baby foods actually aren’t really necessary, and the combination of lumps and smooth puree can be hard for babies without reflux as well.

That being said, we did feeding therapy for a LONG time, and it was great. We did it through home care, which is like your EI, so they came out to our home and assessed her in her own environment which was so much better for her. Our therapist was amazing, and she really helped Hailey, and I don’t know where I would be without her. So I would personally do it. My opinion is that it can’t hurt, and sometimes they can give you simple strategies to help you to move forward. (I’m an OT though, so I’m definitely biased.)

July 24, 2007 at 6:48 pm #39818

Anonymous
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Thanks ladies–

I did make an appt today to see an OT. I called the speech girl and she said that the OT had a lot of luck and said that they could kind of work together.

I gave him some Gerber puffs today and he puked twice. I think I will at least go and see what they have to say.

Lori- I’m a PTA, so I was definately on board with it all, just a little in denial that MY child could have such a problem….. I figured I could muddle through and work on it myself a little with help from people I work with, but they also encouraged me to go. SO, I’ll go…

He’s crying now, so gotta run. I’ll keep you posted!

Thanks again!
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