[Dysphagia] thickening breast milk

[MICHAEL at email.chop.edu (Staci Michael)]

OK.  The thin liquid used in the MBSS is not exactly like breast milk I agree.  Breast milk is thinner.  This infant was used to a bottle.  The infant aspirated thin liquids despite nipple changes (including many of the ones mentioned in prior message), pacing, position changes etc.  I always try everything before choosing to thicken.  Reflux was conclusively ruled out.  The baby was able to take thickened liquids safely and it will probably only need to be a temporary situation.  Family wishes to continue oral feeding.  My job is to identify the safest situation for them.  They wish to continue to give breast milk.  The family will leave and continue to po regular breast milk OR I can guide them with a safer situation i.e. thickening for short term.  

The question at hand is... in situations (albeit rare) where thickening breast milk IS necessary given the situation (and assuming all other issues HAVE been addressed adequately).. WHAT is suggested to be used?  

Anybody? anybody?

>>> "Irene Campbell-Taylor" <eripley@yahoo.com> 07/08/04 12:30PM >>>


Staci Michael <MICHAEL@email.chop.edu> wrote:
(assumably identified as aspiration during an MBSS with thin liquids from bottle despite external compensations such as nipple or position changes).

** Given that VFSS does not represent the real life situation, the substance being used does not come even close to breast milk and breast fed babies suddenly given a bottle may not respond as they otherwise would, I must contend that the "aspiration" issue is still being misidentified by clinicians consistently. It is reflux that must be considered first and foremost as the culprit in any respiratory problem until conclusively proven otherwise.

 

 



Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
Exclusive Distributor:
www.interactivetherapy.com 
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