Feeding

Baby Henry is having trouble with his eating. Anecdotally, feeding and reflux / GERD problems are common in kids with heart surgeries. Depending on the cardiologist you talk to they may agree or disagree with this, but our GI specialist definitely finds this to be true. Baby Henry did not grow well from 6 to 9 months due to decreased appetite and gagging and vomiting at meals and even with breastfeeding. Fortunately his PCM Dr. Buryk got him started on Prilosec which the Dr. Kobak our GI specialist increased. The Prilosec has made a big difference in the throwing up when he is upset and has helped his other GERD symptoms. Unfortunately the gagging on certain food textures will take some intensive OT to overcome. The worry is that he will develop a full-on oral aversion.


Right now the kid is definitely NOT oral-averse. Everything goes in his mouth. He just refuses most food from a spoon and eats tiny tiny meals. He does love his Cheerios, so he gets those after each meal in hopes that the self feeding will continue to be enjoyable for him.

I made a hand bound feeding journal to follow his eating and nursing patterns.


It will be another week until we know if the Prilosec is really working to its full potential. OT starts the second week in August. I can't wait to meet our OT!!

In the meantime I will be thankful that we will get a little more use out of his 6-9 month clothes. (but I already shopped the TEA sale for 12-18's in prep for when he gains weight this fall!)