[Dysphagia] bite reflex

[bill at kidslikedoug.com (Bill Bleecker)]

Hi Naomi,

I often use a large rubber nipple that's made to feed
baby livestock.  I have cut off the excess top off the
nipple (made to fit a large bottle) and have made a
larger hole at the tip and one on the side of the
nipple that allows my pt's tongue to control some of
the flow.  I simply position the nipple slightly
upward and fill it with syrup textured food. It holds
about 15ml at a time and is very tough and springy and
can be bitten down on.  My pt can't bite down
completely to close off the flow, but a tongue
depressor placed inside the nipple will effectively
prevent this.  I use this nipple in conjunction with
the Baby Safe Feeder which is simply a small nylon net
sewn to a plastic ring available at Toys R Us.

As for the oral care, your patient may open his mouth
for certain things like suctioning.  You just have to
find the trigger and work fast!  

I hope this helps.

Bill 

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 KidsLikeDoug.com