16 Month Old Son with Swallowing Problem

You said he's "perfectly healthy", but (and I am so sorry, my prayers are with you) he is NOT perfectly healthy. Perfectly healthy people can swallow, which is a requirement to survive. If left on his own like this, he would not survive...so I don't call that perfectly healthy.

Even without a diagnosis, I think if they recommend a feeding tube you need to give it a try WHILE they continue to attempt to diagnose. I don't believe caring doctors would recommend an invasive structure into your child if he didn't truly need it. I know it may be hard to hear, but for now, it may be best. Surely, it will be temporary, and they will figure out what's going on.

You don't want him to suffer from pneumonia, either...if it's an ongoing condition, recurring pneumonia could really make him very ill.

I am sorry you are going through this...I will definitely say a prayer for you and your son. I'm sure they will figure it out.

I'm not familiar with that-but I see that you are in a large , metro area and should have the best medical advice at your disposal. I have often found that if someone doesn't advocate strongly for a patient-it's anybody's game-stay with them -tireless Mommy-and insist they figure this out. Aspiration pneumonia is not a walk in the park-if it is indicated to offer nourishment and prevent illness until a diagnosis can be reached-you gotta go with the science. God bless you-I will be praying for your son.

Hi A.-

Hugs to you first of all...I know this is agonizing...BUT aspiration pneumonia can be deadly...

Have you (or docs) considered an "NG" tube? From nose to stomach...and only inserted for feedings...I MADE the docs due this for a while with my medically challenged daughter...but ultimately, it was 'life saving' to have the g tube put in...

I think it is worth considering as a 'safe' and possibly temporary measure while they try to better diagnose...

Please PM me if you would like...my daughter was on a G tube for several years...and now...eats by mouth...more than maybe she should!! lol

I know it is scary...but really very easy to manage...and again...maybe life saving!!!

Good thoughts to you and little one
Michele/cat

YES! Take him to a chiropractor! PLEASE don't let them convince you to do the surgery. They did with my baby girl and I wished I'd gone to the chiropractor first. She's fine now... two unecessary surgeries, hundreds of days in the hospital, and zero answers from the doctors later. If you want to talk more my e-mail is ____@____.com or you can find me on facebook. S. T.

Yes! My daughter is 16months old and now has a feeding tube placed in her stomach bc she aspirates liquid and the dr's. do not know why!? I noticed around 3-4 months old she would choke when i would feed her and it progressivly got worse so at her 12month well child ck-up i told the dr. she ordered a swallow study and it came back that she was aspirating into her lungs. She had an endoscopy upper gi mri which all came back normal! Please let me know what you are going thru

First my thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. Clearly, this is a very trying time, and I appreciate how much you want to do what is best for him!!
One more professional to consult, especially since you don't have a diagnosis, is a speech pathologist. Now, hold on! I know you didn't ask a question about speech difficulties. Did you know that a speech pathologist has education and testing in swallowing difficulties/inabilities?? In fact, they may be able to recommend a powder to thicken the liquids to prevent aspiration. It is tasteless, and makes liquids the consistency that he needs. AND, one may be able to provide a clearer idea of his specific problem and provide a solution.
I wish you all the best!!!