Feeding Clinic update

[Anonymous]

We had to wait weeks for feeding clinic to get back to us but finally they did today and had some good advice. I wanted to share their suggestions just in case it could help anyone;

They said it’s totally fine to use a video. Because he’s obviously more relaxed, he eats. Also, it makes feeding a fun time not stress time (as others here have noted!). She said however, if we’re going to use it, use it from beginning of feed not after he fusses-teaches bad behavior. It won’t develop bad habits as it’s a bottle and he’ll be switching to a cup soon.

Wants us to try and get more on spoon feeding and less in bottle as whether it’s teething or conditional at this point, he hates it. We don’t think it’s pain (but we get EE results today hopefully!). So she wants it mixed into everything-bananas, sweet potato, and squash, etc. She said 3 oz! That seems like so much in food. Means we’ll have to start pureeing sp and squash instead of jars (which is fine) but any suggestions on how to do that? Meaning-I can’t freeze it mixed with elecare can I? Formula would go bad wouldn’t it? I’m working from home and taking Ian into office occasionally so making squash and sweet potatoes everyday is not in the time constraints. Any helpful tips? She said it almost never is a taste issue as the nipple holds back scent but we could mix banana in bottle.

She really wants us to start barley after pear trial. Cereal is best for mixing formula (but after oatmeal, I’m terrified).

We go back in a week and a half for observation to see if we can break bad habits and work on occupational therapy (tummy time and babbling).

That’s all so far. I know alot of this info is already on the board and some of you aready follow it but wanted to pass along advice from the clinic as they see it alot.

Tracy (Ian’s Mom 9-26-05) Elecare and Prevacid

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you had a good experience with the feeding therapist and
you sound so positive about her ideas! That’s good news and I’m so glad
they were so helpful.

Myles hates his bottle too, so he is mainly spoon fed. I was worried
about it initially but he is actually eating more with spoon feeding
then he ever did bottle feeding. And he throws up a lot less, too.

It seems so odd to have an 7 or 8 month old infant who isn’t bottle
feeding, but as long as it works and they are getting enough, I guess
it’s fine. Sounds like the your therapist thought it was o.k. So,
thanks for sharing your experience and her advice. It really helps me
to feel that I am doing o.k. with Myles.

When Ian can handle grains (like the barley she suggested) it will be
much easier for you to get the formula into his feedings. With Myles I
make his meals with 4 -5 ounces of breast milk or formula and mix it
with 1/3 cup of oatmeal. He loves it and eats it all, so at each meal
he is getting plenty of the breast milk or formula. I hope the barley
trial goes well for Ian so you’ll have an easier time getting the
formula into his diet.

The only suggestion I can come with for now about how to make batches
of sweet potatoes or squash ahead of time is to steam the veggies until
soft but don’t yet puree them. Divide them into small portions and
freeze. Each day you can thaw what you will need for the day, and then
puree each serving with the elecare when you are ready to feed him.
Might that work?

I’m curious, what kind of bad habits do they want to break?

Good luck with his future visits and I hope his test results are fine.

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear you spoke with the clinic again!

You can definitely make and then mash or puree the fruits/veggies and
freeze without thinning (I like ice cube trays). Then thaw the number
of cubes you want and thin them with the Elecare before serving.

How’s the little man feeling?

[Anonymous]

Tracy

Thanks for the update – just a couple of questions.

1. Why did they say they will work on breaking bad habits?? I don’t understand what this means sorry. I mean, last time when they saw him they thought he was just great… so i am confused as to how they determined the bad habits vs pain??

2. Why the need to work on occupational therapy? Again, he was totally fine when they checked him adn you said he was trying to crawl etc… and i am not just understanding what makes them think he needs it?

Sorry about questions – i mean, Matthew has issues and we were never told anything about habits… and then he was evaluated for therapy but nobody else (other OT, GI, ped) think he needs it so how did they determine it??

THANK YOU!

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. Yes, we’re happy we got a call back and feel good about some tips so I can feel a little less guilty.

Christine-yes I thought of you when they said spoon feed! That’s why I wanted to post so you would feel good about it because I know you were worried. I don’t think I’ll be able to accomplish it without starting a cereal. It’s kind of weird because Ian will eat his bottle fine if distracted so should I really worry if it takes a long time for him to feed on it? If I move to spoon, it’ll take long as well. Also, is it bad to keep him on a bottle anyways just because he breaks or does that add stress to him?? Many decisions.

Karen-Thanks for checking in on him. Not great day today. We started pears (just a 1/2 teaspoon). He was fine all morning-then got really fussy around 12 and ate that bottle horribly. Cried entire time. Actually kind of seemed like reflux-but I don’t think that little of pear would do it? Do we know if pears have less sorbitol than the juice? Just laid him down for a nap and he cried himself to sleep for like 1/2 hour (not like him at all). I think he’s not feeling great and he’s ticked off because he’s at my office today.

Thais-No problem on questions! I’m question queen. Did you ever see Dr. Eicher at the feeding clinic-she’s the head. We did and she is who I spoke with today. I think she meant when we see her in a couple of weeks, that they’ll observe to make sure he’s not starting bad habits eating as opposed to it just being stressful for him. I think this is because we give in when Ian fusses during bottles and let him watch a video, or let him play, break, then eat. It could be that he knows he can get away with it. But maybe I’m wrong…He did have alot of pain last couple of weeks but that may end up being a virus or (hopefully not) an allergy related issue but his esphogus looks good so far. As for occupational-he’s been developing well but last month has kind of stalled as far as crawling and babbling go. He is trying to crawl but screams and get’s very frustrated so they’re going to help with techniques to move him along. Basically he has desire, but probably low muscle tone from tummy time being a problem for so long. Aren’t they working with you too on it? I thought you said you go back in couple of weeks? The main difference between Matthew and Ian I think is Ian wants to eat (loves solids and will eat his bottle eventually) and Matthew doesn’t (if I’m correct..?). But both stop eating their bottles after 2 oz. Ian will go back to it whereas Matthew won’t. I hope I’m explaining this well and I could be wrong. I’ll know more when I see them. Have they called you back yet?

Tracy

[Anonymous]

Tracy,

Thanks for thinking of me and Myles when you posted. That was really nice of you.

Maybe you could switch to the spoon after he drinks his two ounces.
That’s what I did with Myles for weeks until I decided to just ditch
the bottle for most of his feedings. He usually would drink two ounces,
but no more. So, I’d mix the rest with some cereal and spoon feed.
Maybe you can try that once he passes (hopefully) his barley trial.

I think Myles is much happier without the bottle. It was stressful for
him for whatever reason (I”ll probably never know). He gets really
thirsty towards late afternoon and will eagerly drink four to five
ounces, so he drinks that bottle without any stress. And he still takes
a night time bottle without a fight. The rest of the day he happily
takes his feedings by spoon and there’s a lot less stress in this house
because of it. And, at least for Myles, spoon feeding takes a lot less
time. He’ll eat 4 – 5 ounces plus the 1/3 cup cereal in about ten
minutes, instead of the 20 to 40 minutes it would take him to
drink a bottle, if he’d even drink it at all.

I hope Ian can eat the barley cereal because it will make things so much easier for you.

I hope he’s feeling better and that the pears were not the problem.

Christine

[Anonymous]

Not sure if pears have less sorbitol – M eats a lot of them with
seemingly no problem – maybe his system just needs to adjust? I guess
I’d give it a couple days and if no better stops those?

Barley is good but watch any grains in too high amount – can be tough
on tummy. We do 6-8 tablespoons a day (usually 6 these days).

[hellbennt]

I love love love gladware 4oz containers- still use & love them! started using them when I made home made babyfood for jonah- now I use them for his lunches/meals you can freeze them , refrigerate them, wash them in the top of the dishwasher and keep using them…

[Anonymous]

I am glad that they gave you so many great tips! I hope that they help out alot!

[Author]

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