August, 2019
Oatmeal
Rice Oatmeal
Veggies Purees
Fruit Purees
Mashed Fruits
Mashed Veggies
Minced Meats
Puffs
Cheerios
Crackers
Muffins
Pancakes
Above is a pint-sized listing of the food introduction plan/attempt I did with Oz, TRYING to get him to swallow versus expelling from his mouth or nose. When you and I swallow, our tongues drag across the roof of our mouths, starting from the front towards our teeth dragging to the back towards our throat. [I bet you just reenacted a hypothetical swallow, didn't you?] But with Oz, the great divide in the roof of his mouth that is his cleft palate has caused him confusion and frustration in response to numerous failed attempts at being able to actually digest the food that he shows great interest in!
After a couple of months of unsuccessful experimentation with purees and solid foods for Oz, our family physician referred us to feeding therapy at Spencer Hospital's CAMPS Program. The most wonderful Speech-Language Pathologist, Heidi, met with Oz once a week throughout this last summer to intervene and provide professional guidance.
Oz LOVED our visits with Heidi! 1) Because Heidi was the sweetest 2) It didn't take him long to connect the dots that visiting Heidi = Cheetos, lollipops and an array of other food sampling. Heidi believes that Oz shows age-appropriate (even advanced) developmental skills and commonly referred to him as a 'go-getter' and 'eager' in regards to his interest in solid foods. Heidi's suggestions were to increase practice with assorted solids and incorporate his use of a couple of basic devices she gave us that would help desensitize him from various textures and lessen his gag reflex. Oz has made great improvements since before starting feeding therapy and we are all very confident that once palate surgery is complete (Fall 2019), he will really take off in food consumption.
I'm happy to report Oz is a VERY happy, hunky boy who now weighs a whopping 21 lb. My projection of a future heavyweight wrestler when he was in utero may actually come to fruition! :)
Thank you for your encouragement and support, Heidi!
Oatmeal
Rice Oatmeal
Veggies Purees
Fruit Purees
Mashed Fruits
Mashed Veggies
Minced Meats
Puffs
Cheerios
Crackers
Muffins
Pancakes
Above is a pint-sized listing of the food introduction plan/attempt I did with Oz, TRYING to get him to swallow versus expelling from his mouth or nose. When you and I swallow, our tongues drag across the roof of our mouths, starting from the front towards our teeth dragging to the back towards our throat. [I bet you just reenacted a hypothetical swallow, didn't you?] But with Oz, the great divide in the roof of his mouth that is his cleft palate has caused him confusion and frustration in response to numerous failed attempts at being able to actually digest the food that he shows great interest in!
After a couple of months of unsuccessful experimentation with purees and solid foods for Oz, our family physician referred us to feeding therapy at Spencer Hospital's CAMPS Program. The most wonderful Speech-Language Pathologist, Heidi, met with Oz once a week throughout this last summer to intervene and provide professional guidance.
Oz LOVED our visits with Heidi! 1) Because Heidi was the sweetest 2) It didn't take him long to connect the dots that visiting Heidi = Cheetos, lollipops and an array of other food sampling. Heidi believes that Oz shows age-appropriate (even advanced) developmental skills and commonly referred to him as a 'go-getter' and 'eager' in regards to his interest in solid foods. Heidi's suggestions were to increase practice with assorted solids and incorporate his use of a couple of basic devices she gave us that would help desensitize him from various textures and lessen his gag reflex. Oz has made great improvements since before starting feeding therapy and we are all very confident that once palate surgery is complete (Fall 2019), he will really take off in food consumption.
I'm happy to report Oz is a VERY happy, hunky boy who now weighs a whopping 21 lb. My projection of a future heavyweight wrestler when he was in utero may actually come to fruition! :)
Thank you for your encouragement and support, Heidi!
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