Feeding Disorder Of Early Childhood ....

Feeding Disorder Of Early Childhood ICD-9 Code 307.59

I am sharing this post in hopes of raising awareness and reaching other families who may be going through the same feeding struggles with their child. Any posts that I ever post on my blog is *NOT* to get your sympathy or to make you feel sorry for Blaze or even us. Blaze is doing very well. We are amazed at the progress he has made. I post to educate others, in hopes of meeting others who may have a child like my VERY unique child, and also to help those we love understand Blaze better.

From day one, Blaze has struggled with feeding/eating. He came to me as a newborn foster child and the very first thing I noticed about him was that he could not suck a bottle. I cut his nipples and dripped formula in his mouth for the first few weeks. With time, he got better, but never got past a newborn nipple. Then when it came time to start baby foods, he struggled. He could not figure out what to do with baby food.  He would choke, vomit, inhale (which landed him in Children's), etc. Just the sight of people eating, thoughts that he might have to eat a new food, or even touching foods would send him into a vomiting fit. For three very long years, he struggled with eating and we struggled with feeding him. He's dealt with constant GI issues. He's had every test done under the sun, but nothing explained his difficulties. For three years, he worked with his OT and several SLPs/STs with very minimal improvement. In April of 2015, he started the Autism Center's feeding and nutrition program. It wasn't until just recently, after reading a letter that his doctor wrote to Blaze's school, did I learn that they had diagnosed him with a feeding disorder.

Of all the things we've gone through with Blaze, the feeding struggles have been the hardest. The constant battle to gain weight, balance out his diet, add new food groups, etc has taken it's toll. When he started having seizures, we started control meds. When he started having GI issues, we went to a GI specialist and started meds. When his vision got worse, we got glasses. But, there is no magic fix for feeding disorders. It is a one day at a time struggle and when I say struggle, I'm not joking. It has been a long hard journey. We now go to the feeding center almost every week and sometimes two times a week for feeding and nutrition help.

This week we finally reached 10 foods that Blaze will eat. These foods are still a struggle for the first few bites, but if I am persistent with him, he will eat (something the center has taught me to do). He eats now from all food groups. The foods are all pureed, but it's a variety and that was our first goal. We are slowly getting away from baby foods (after 3 years of buying that stuff) and eventually he should be able to drop his formula too ( goal #2). We still have a ways to go, because we are nowhere near a typical toddlers diet (solid foods), but we will get there. We now have a fridge full of liquid peanut butter sandwiches, fruit and veggies yogurt smoothies, etc and we are fine with that, FOR NOW.

There is hope for kids like Blaze. Did you hear me?!?

THERE IS HOPE!!!!

If you think that your child might have a feeding disorder talk to your doctor. Teens and adults are not the only ones who can have a feeding disorder, as we have learned that with our Blaze. I'm also willing to share what I've learned. Contact info above. Just never give up!

 
 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he will direct thy paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6