Swallow Study was a Success!!

Bella had her swallow study today and I have good news to report! She has a perfect swallow!!! :)

Bella had to sit in a little blue foam chair while they fed her Barium & they took a continuous x-ray of her eating. The Barium is a contrast liquid so you could see it going down her throat as she drank - it was so cool!!! The nurse said she never aspirated (when the fluid goes down the tube to her lungs) which is what they were looking for.

Great news!

The nurse fed her and said she needs "chin support" as she eats, so hopefully that helps with future feedings. She also said everything that's happening (gasping for air, "growling" or gurguling at the end of feedings, etc) is related to her reflux. The loud gulping and noise she makes while eating could be because she doesn't have a 100% efficient suck, therefore she's overcompensating. The nurse mentioned that she had a high palette (not terribly high) and this could be the reason she had such a hard time breastfeeding.

We have to keep Bella on her medicine for reflux and have her sleep somewhat upright ... so either in her boppy or swing for naps & we have to tilt her crib and use a positioner to keep her from rolling down the mattress. :)

I met with the dietician again today and told her Bella's belly still hurts and I asked if she maybe wasn't tolerating her reflux medicine. (She started on Neocate and Prevacid on the same day) It turns out that Prevacid has milk proteins in it!!!! Hello!!! There are very small amounts of protiens so the doctor figured it wouldn't bother Bella, but if her stomach is that sensitive then it could be the problem. So hopefully when the doctor gets back on Tuesday they'll give us a prescription for a different reflux medicine and hope that is the last piece to the puzzle. If not ... well I don't know where to go from there.

Overall ... great news!! She looked SO cute doing her swallow study. Our nurse went to get the doctor and told some of the other nurses how cute she was and all of the sudden all of these women came into the xray room just oohhing and aahhing over her. Here are some pictures!

"Hi Mommy!!!"

Like my 101 Dalmations lead apron???

Aunt Hill went with us to the hospital and she was a huge help! She was able to hold Bella while I filled out a ton of paperwork and help with the stroller and diaper bag while I carried Bella to the many rooms we visited! Thanks Aunt Hillary!!!