Today we took Warren in for an OT evaluation. He has been having some major feeding issues that have just gotten worse. I went prepared with a bottle and a pacifier so that the OT could watch us do everything with him and it was 4 hours since he ate last. So one would think he would be hungry right? Nope not my baby I am convinced that he would starve himself if given the opportunity.
When we got back into the evaluation room she wanted to watch me feed him and finally someone other than Bob and I witnessed the daily struggles of feeding this little man. It was so nice to have a professional actually see what I go through every single day. I feel like no one has been listening to me and finally someone is listening. So after our initial fight with the bottle I could tell that he was very sleepy so I gave him his pacifier and he went to town on it and passed out. I was then able to feed him while he was sleeping, all in front of the OT. On the upside his suck is very strong and he doesn't have any weak jaw muscles. She also doesn't think that it is behavioral. She thinks that it is medically related. Due to his reflux he is associating pain with eating and that is why he will only eat if he is sleeping. I have known for awhile now that Warren has reflux and unfortunately his pediatrician never listened and never prescribed any reflux meds. About 2 weeks ago, his neonatalogist, after listening to my situation prescribed some Zantac. It seems to be helping but I still believe his reflux isn't resolved. I am also wondering if he has some kind of small milk allergy or something of that nature. So now we wait...we see a pediatric GI on December 13. I just hate seeing the little man in pain and I really hope that we can get this whole reflux situation under control.
On the upside developmentally he is doing great. He is doing everything that a baby his adjusted age should be doing. He is 3 1/2 months adjusted. His head control is great, fine motor skills are good, he is rocking it out during tummy time. He is almost rolling over, he can get his butt over first then his upper body comes along. He is laughing, smiling, "talking", squealing when he is happy. Everything is great. We just need to get this feeding thing figured out. After his evaluation I feel better. I feel as if I can maybe see the light at the end of the tunnel. That we are going to get this figured out before he gets old enough that it turns into a behavioral issue. I am hoping that since we are being proactive that we can get this resolved so that he doesn't have a lifetime of feeding issues. Fingers crossed that we can figure this all out!
