My son Austin is an identical twin with PRS and now just over 8mths. He will not take any solids whatsoever. I have been trying since he was 5mths. I cannot seem to get any food between his tongue and the roof of his mouth. Most of the time anyway he has his tongue sticking out and when i attempt to feed him he just pushes the food straight back out and drools with loads of saliva. He has no idea how to open his mouth and take a spoonful of anything. I've tried with many variations of food - rice ceral, pureed fruit, baby yoghurt all quite runny. I've also tried using a syringe but i feed like that is force feeding him and quite distressing for him. He already hates anything like a syringe coming near his mouth due to all the trauma of various medications, ngt tube, jaw distraction etc, etc....He spent the first four months of his life in hospital :( Should I be worried about him not eating solids by this age?? I've decided to give him a break from trying as its just so frustrating... He is not due to have cleft repair until at least 15mths... I realise alot of feeding issues here are about bottles etc but has anyone experienced problems introducing solids?? and care to share their advice?
Hi, My daughter Ruby (7months) also has the same troubles as your son Austin. Ruby seems to want to eat but isnt able to. Her dietitian & health nurse recommend that we just keep trying. Its not a real concern as their main nutrition is from breast milk or formula. I am so frustated, I just want my baby to eat!
Hi Jen, I have continually tried to offer Austin solids to no avail..which has started to make me concerned - is he really getting enough nutrition while his twin brother is having three solid meals a day plus milk?? on the weekend we began adding "cerealac" to his milk to provide more substance. And then remarkably quiet by accident i discovered something great. While warming some milk in the kitchen and holding Austin, I momentarily lay him down on the breakfast counter with a towel under his head and filled a "nurofen" syringe with apple custard and put a little into his mouth.....To my amazement he moved his tongue and took it in!!!! Next even more surprising was he opened his mouth next time i offerred him the syringe!!! (most unlikely act seeing he hates having medicine the same way and has consequently developed a strong aversion to it) So I continued to fill the syringe with yummy apple custard and Austin took each and every tiny mouthful, swirling his tongue around like he has never before in his life. In this lying position the food didn't come straight back out as he was somewhat obliged to swallow it. And unlike the medicine he actually wanted it and was working his tongue in a swallowing motion. I have never seen him do this before!!! He has never learned to use his tongue until now. This morning - first thing before milk i tried again with porridge mixed with apple. He took 4 syringes little by little before he became a little cranky and then i gave him a full bottle. I will continue trying this reclined position (in a bouncer)every feed to see how he goes...hopefully until he learns how to move food backwards in his mouth. Maybe you could give this a try?? and see what Ruby does. Best of luck. Be interested to know if you have an success.
Hi, Kim. Im totally amazed by Austin! What an achievement. I will definitely give this a go with Ruby. All of our PRS babies are experimental & we must find what works for them. Keep me posted on Austins efforts, best of luck.
