Today we had a great day. I have persevered with the syringe this weekend and it is paying off. Drum roll please....... Well Jason had 130mls paediasure formula and 150mls water today. That was by syringing with a syringe into his mouth and he happily accepts this and swallows! I am very pleased by the progress. Syringing to me in the beginning wasn't ideal (I am still the feeder) but I have realised that this is part of the wean and in order for Jason to get off the tube and to learn the swallowing technique and to "trust" food and liquids syringing is the key! I have also chatted to my friends Rachel and Vicki (both from the UK) who have been through the Graz program and also done the net coaching and both of them say that Arthur and Tabitha have food and liquids via the syringe and as they have gone along they have accepted more and more and are starting to do things themselves as well. So by syringing this is allowing Jason to get fluids and calories and whether it's with a spoon or a bottle or a syringe heck I don't care right now as long as it's going in his mouth and down his throat I am happy : ).
My little chef also helped me make potato salad tonight - maybe one day he will be a chef because he loves helping and cooking. Anyway he ate away on the onion piece by piece and also tasted the potato salad. Not a potato salad fan just yet but it went in and he was keen to taste.
I must say with the added fluids this weekend we are noticing that Jason is a lot more happier, livelier and getting back to his old self. Laughing and giggling and playing. Not so pap and withdrawn anymore. Thank goodness because the heat here in South Africa is unbelievable - over 30 degrees every day and he needs these fluids!
So this mommy is very pleased with the progress we are making. One day at a time and every day we see more and more interest in eating and drinking : ).