Alicia's post, though not the most pleasant of topics is a vital one. Especially for our children who are underweight, have health challenges or chronic congestion and are aversive to oral care. Did you know? -Infants that have RSV (typically developing infants)can aspirate during this illness. The research study on this shows that they return to normal patterns of swallowing once the illness passes, but imagine what an illness can do to some of our patients who struggle to swallow safely on a good day. -Thick secretions can be aspirated from the nasal cavity, oral cavity AND when a baby is having a lot of this type of drainage, it can be aspirated during reflux episodes of stomach contents/mucus. Infants also have trouble clearing thicker matter from the pharynx. This is why I don't agree with honey liquid for babies...and the displacement of free water in their feedings...Anyway, the more acidic the type of aspiration, the more damaging to lung tissue. I will teach a lot more on this at the course in Denver. My job is to help keep babies safe 24/7 not just when feeding. -Kids that won't allow teeth brushing build bacteria in the mouth. This can be aspirated in saliva in sleep. -Bad reflux up to the nose/throat at night can also contribute to bacteria build up in secretions compromising health further if aspirated -When children are tube fed and sick, I have tricks to help with vomiting first thing in the morning...it varies child to child and case to case. But talk to your dietitian or GI specialist if you struggle with this, especially the during the seasonal allergy struggles -When you have a cold, do you really want to eat? It is fatiguing. Think higher calories, but easy on the stomach type foods. If you have a tube,use it. Cut back on the challenges of feeding by mouth. You won't lose anything. In fact, trying to get a child to eat during a time of illness may make the child feel so unsafe that he becomes aversive and fearful. -Consider air purification systems, allergy fighting wraps around mattresses, bedding etc, removing carpet and stuffed animals in your child's room if your child is really struggling with allergies. Talk to your pediatrician or pulmonologist for guidance...don't just rip up your carpet today. Hope some of this helps!
Did you know?
-Infants that have RSV (typically developing infants)can aspirate during this illness. The research study on this shows that they return to normal patterns of swallowing once the illness passes, but imagine what an illness can do to some of our patients who struggle to swallow safely on a good day.
-Thick secretions can be aspirated from the nasal cavity, oral cavity AND when a baby is having a lot of this type of drainage, it can be aspirated during reflux episodes of stomach contents/mucus. Infants also have trouble clearing thicker matter from the pharynx. This is why I don't agree with honey liquid for babies...and the displacement of free water in their feedings...Anyway, the more acidic the type of aspiration, the more damaging to lung tissue. I will teach a lot more on this at the course in Denver. My job is to help keep babies safe 24/7 not just when feeding.
-Kids that won't allow teeth brushing build bacteria in the mouth. This can be aspirated in saliva in sleep.
-Bad reflux up to the nose/throat at night can also contribute to bacteria build up in secretions compromising health further if aspirated
-When children are tube fed and sick, I have tricks to help with vomiting first thing in the morning...it varies child to child and case to case. But talk to your dietitian or GI specialist if you struggle with this, especially the during the seasonal allergy struggles
-When you have a cold, do you really want to eat? It is fatiguing. Think higher calories, but easy on the stomach type foods. If you have a tube,use it. Cut back on the challenges of feeding by mouth. You won't lose anything. In fact, trying to get a child to eat during a time of illness may make the child feel so unsafe that he becomes aversive and fearful.
-Consider air purification systems, allergy fighting wraps around mattresses, bedding etc, removing carpet and stuffed animals in your child's room if your child is really struggling with allergies. Talk to your pediatrician or pulmonologist for guidance...don't just rip up your carpet today.
Hope some of this helps!