Our Paediatrician Appointment

Hey all,
Saw the paediatrician today. She was really lovely! Asked heaps of questions and really listened to everything I had to say. She watched Jackson’s feeding video and agreed that we need help, cos his behaviour is just not normal. She also agreed that the volume he is eating now is not sufficient.

We discussed the results of the pH probe, which showed a degree of reflux, but not drastically bad. And, I was pushing the button every time he refluxed, which shows he is demonstrating when the reflux hurt. He wasn’t refluxing during feeding, so doesn’t really explain what is going on and why he rejects the bottle so much.

Physically he checks out ok, although small. Height is on 50th percentile, head circumference is 75th percentile, weight is 10th percentile. Obviously his weight should be more, it’s not just his genetic make up. Ears, throat, tummy etc were all ok and milestones are on track. BUT – she did find that he had a very high palate and wondered if feeding issues comes from that.

So, we are being admitted to hospital for a few days tomorrow. Already had blood tests today, and will now have some allergy testing, tummy scan, xrays, barium swallow etc over the next few days. Plus, we are going to see the Speech and Language Therpists to find out about this palate. The nurses will do some of his feeds, so they can monitor his behaviour. Eek! We’re also going to have to transition out of the hammock, wow that is going to be hard!

I am pleased with the outcome, but disappointed there is no quick fix… although I wasn’t really expecting there to be! It just would have been nice. :o) The palate thing is a bit scary, as it may mean ongoing feeding and speech problems in the future, but at least we have intervention now. I don't know what the solution will be if it is found to be the cause of his problems.

I guess we'll learn a bit more over the next few days or so. Wish me luck!!

Sounds like an awesome apt Laurie and i'm so pleased that things are happening and moving forward. I hope the hospital stay is ok and that you get lots and lots of answers. Will be thinking of you.

Good luck Laurie! I am so pleased to hear that the paed appt went well and she took your concerns seriously. I hope the next few days are able to shed some more light on what is causing your poor wee man to be so upset

Good luck Laurie - it is great to hear that she took you seriously and has identified a possible cause of the problem . Now doubt there's some fancy teat designed for high palates they can prescribe, or some other solution just waiting to be uncovered. And it sounds like he's a brainy wee chap with that head circumference, go Jackson! All the best for your hospital stay and for weaning him off the hammock .

Yay...at least you are being taken seriously and hopefully getting things sorted.

I hope everything goes well in the hospital, let us know how you get on.

Update from me. This is a cut and paste, sorry!!!

Hey guys. Sorry I don't have time to read all your posts. Am just home getting some more stuff. But found they children's ward has internet, so may pop in later.

We're in for the weekend. At the very least. Maybe a lot longer, unfortunately. Jackson has been under observation, and has been playing up a lot. At least the nurses are seeing how bad it is and I think the doctors have been jolted into action. So far Jackson has had a million blood tests, poo and wee samples, xrays and the barium swallow. All have come back normal, thankfully. But it is perplexing!

He's having the pH probe done again, on meds, to see if the reflux is being managed (I am sure it is). Maybe that will be today. Still haven't seen the Speech and Language Therapist as she has been off sick. What kind of capital city hospital has one therapist and noone to cover when they are away? Very frustrating. I am not sure if she is back today.

Once I see her, that's pretty much everything they can think of. They said they will be ready to make some decisions on Monday, but they are talking very strongly of tube feeding Jackson for a while. It sounds very scary and I am nervous about what it all means.

Hopefully we have some break throughs.

Hospital is suck. It's so noisy and it is never dark enough to sleep. But I am thankful that Jackson is doing ok. There are some really, really sick babies here and I do realise that I am lucky that things are coming back normal. I am sure Jackson will grow out of this and be a normal child. That's the positive I need to focus on.

We set up his jolly jumper in the only doorway - the one to his room from the corridor. So he jolly jumps in the doorway and honestly ends up with the biggest admiring audience, which he thinks is fantastic. Jumping at home with just me will never be the same!!

More later. Thanks for the love!

I bet Jackson has them all completely charmed! So glad you are getting some help. I hope some answers come through soon.
All the best