Zack is actually picking up Cheerios and putting them to his lips…and yesterday, he took a Cheerio from my spoon and ate it!!! To any other parent this might seem like something a 9 month old may do expectedly and without ceremony…however, Cheerios play a vital role in my son’s development.
When Zack was in the hospital at birth, he was fed by NG (nasalgastric tube). As a determined mommy, I was vigilant in teaching my new son how to feed from a bottle before we left Sick Kids. He was NOT going home with an NG. So, when we were first discharged from the hospital at 6 weeks old, we had to “teach” him to eat from a bottle. There was “pacing”, cross-cut nipples, thickened formula and visits from our wonderful feeding specialist. He did well, but there were many concerns about aspiration.At one year, Zack was still well below the 3rd percentile for weight and had experienced numerous aspiration illnesses. We had to consider a Gtube (gastric tube that places food directly into the stomach). I was heartbroken…for a day or two. Seriously nervous about what this new process would mean to our already chaotic lives but really…excited at the possibilities it meant for Zack. He could be fed without needing to be hungry. When he was sick, we could feed him and maintain his fragile weight. More calories would mean more energy and endurance to develop the gross motor skills that were so delayed.
On March 27th 2009, our lives changed for the better- and while we had huge adjustments in the logistics of meal times and how we fed our littlest son, we loved the results! Zack had more energy, he was healthier and was making huge progress with standing and walking! Zack impressed us with his willingness to eat with a spoon- his favorites being puddings, custard and yogurts! He is our son who can eat all the calories and sweets he desires and he has been promised a life supply of Timbits when he can actually eat one!!!
Our monthly visits with our Feeding Guru are so amazing. She gives us the best advice on how to get Zack to play with food and desensitize himself to food. We have played with mounds of Cheezie crumbs, fingerpainted with pudding, kissed strawberries and had picnics with Jayden and a handful of Fruit Loops! Recently, Zack has impressed us with his ability to hold crackers and dried cereal, pick it up, place it to his lips and then put it back down. He even held an ice cream cone and put it to his mouth! Can you believe this makes me jump up and down for his beautiful little boy? He loves to watch me go crazy over the progress he makes exploring food. He loves to feed his mommy his Cheerios and crackers.
What a journey this has been…from thickened bottles, to baby food jars and now to dried foods at 21/2 years old. I stop myself during my “cheerleading” sessions to acknowledge and appreciate that we celebrate the simple things with Zack. I didn’t write down the date that Ty and Jayden ate their first goldfish crackers, and just expected them to eat “real” food at 1 year or so. I took that for granted…the ability to eat and relate to food in a positive way. And yet with our Zackie, our journey with food has been a difficult one, but one where we continually stop to enjoy the simplist of Cheerio moments.
When Zack was in the hospital at birth, he was fed by NG (nasalgastric tube). As a determined mommy, I was vigilant in teaching my new son how to feed from a bottle before we left Sick Kids. He was NOT going home with an NG. So, when we were first discharged from the hospital at 6 weeks old, we had to “teach” him to eat from a bottle. There was “pacing”, cross-cut nipples, thickened formula and visits from our wonderful feeding specialist. He did well, but there were many concerns about aspiration.
Sherry C
February 20, 2010 at 7:18 pm (14 years ago)Oh boy can I relate to your post Heather. There were many days I wondered if Ashley would ever eat. When she was g-tube feed she wanted nothing to do with food. It was painful to see. Way to go Zach picking up and licking cheerios is a biggie!!! I love the ice cream picture too.
Bubbie Bonnie
February 21, 2010 at 7:10 pm (14 years ago)Beautifully written Heather. You give wonderful insight into what a loving mother really is. Love to you and the boys and Paul, as always!
Kath
February 23, 2010 at 1:48 pm (14 years ago)Love it Zackie!!! Wonderful blog Heather 🙂
Anonymous
March 30, 2010 at 9:05 pm (14 years ago)I am so proud of Zack’s accomplishments with his feeding!!! It has been my absolute pleasure to work with with wonderful little boy and his family. Nicola xo