First Oral Feed

I can't believe I'm actually writing this. With Rémi’s surgery complete one of the next big things for him to learn is how to eat by mouth.

We had our very first opportunity to give him some breastmilk by mouth this week.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry. It may have been one of the single most joyful moments we've had. He took no more than 1ml, but I'm just glad he didn't immediately reject the feed.

Kids like Rémi often have an oral aversion. He could still develop one, but at least we haven't started at that step. This is aversion develops as almost all of the stimulus around his face and mouth through his entire life has been negative. Choking on his own spit, being suctioned dozens of times a day, having a tube in his mouth 24/7, having tape put on and ripped off his face regularly when replacing the tube, and of course replacing the tube which triggers his gag reflex most of the time. It's no wonder these kiddos don't want to even try to eat after their repair.

Add to the mix that a baby develops their suckling reflex in the early days and weeks of life. Having never eaten by mouth, Rémi has lost that inate ability to suckle. He has to now learn how.

Learning involves a whole lot more than just suckling. He must coordinate that with swallowing, and most importantly breathing. It will take some time, but with patience and perseverance I known we will be able to move from 1ml to 100ml one day.

Until then, we will keep offering him oral feeds and supplement his nutritional needs through his gtube for as long as he needs.

Excuse me while I go and rewatch the dozens of videos we took of this momentous achievement. Go Rémi go!