Tonsils. The cure to feeding issues & hyper child???

We've been struggling with feeding for what seems like forever. I stumbled across a post a few weeks ago that mentioned large tonsils being a factor in her child's feeding issues. I thought about that concept and finally decided to make an appointment with an ENT - just to have them check my daughter out. Not only is she afraid to eat, but she snores, breathes loudly, always seems stuffy, and I've noticed when I rock her to sleep, her breathing isn't rhythmic - she takes long pauses before catching her breath again. I actually started wondering if something was wrong with her nose. So I took her yesterday and her ears & nose were fine, but her tonsils were "enormous" as the doc said. She said they are covering 75% of her airway. I was floored. I KNEW something else was going on with her!!! I'm so glad I trusted my gut.

So I'm all gung-ho about getting them out asap. But I was hoping to hear other experiences with this. She's only 21 months and 18 pounds - which the doc said is younger than she likes, but really feels they need to come out now. Also, because she's already so small, she may need to spend her entire recovery in the hospital so they can monitor her eating & weight loss.

Also, she's a bit of a hyper child and the more I read about it, I am starting to see that kids end up being diagnosed with ADHD but really their tonsils are so large that it's preventing them from getting a good night's sleep - and therefore just remain constantly wired. I found this article about that:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293182,00.html

Whew, if we can cure that too, I will be a happy mama! Anyway, would LOVE to hear your experience with this!!

By mygirlsmom
Posted October 28, 2009 at 8:36 pm
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Very interesting - my niece and nephew have/had huge tonsils, like my sister. My niece was a 36 weeker, and never had a good night sleep, never napped well, and always woke up every 30 minutes or so. My sister's doctor told her that her tonsils could be affecting her so much that they are causing sleep apnea and not allowing her to sleep longer than 30 minutes at a time. She had them removed 4 months ago and she is doing great. I don't know about it's relationship to feeding issues, but they can be directly related to behavioral issues, b/c these kids are so absolutely exhausted. Good luck. BTW, she was 5 when they were removed, and my sister wishes she would have done it sooner! The surgery was easy, she was uncomfortable for a few days, and then was back to her old self!

By misunderstoodmama
Posted October 28, 2009 at 9:01 pm
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Im sooo happy that youve found answers!! :)

My sons tonsils and adnoids are normal size, so our search for "feeding cures" continues :(

Good Luck with the surgery! (always scary, I know (My sons had 3 already))

By laurakennedy77
Posted October 28, 2009 at 10:10 pm
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I'm not really sure that the tonsillectomy totally cured my daughter but it made a BIG difference. She still has a small appetite but I believe that the issues that she suffered with before having her tonsils out probably caused some behavorial problems. The recovery was very painful (for all of us , lol) but i wish we had done it way sooner. Hope all goes well. Laura

By Hopesmom08
Posted October 28, 2009 at 10:49 pm
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That's interesting. My daughter has a major feeding issue- she never eats and the more she has to go up on feeds the less she will eat. Her NT suggested CP which doesn't seem to be the issue. She also has some rapid breathing and her new PED said he would like to check out her nose, her old PED said to see a Neurologist. I am not sure i just know that there is something else affecting her eating and right now i don't think it would be good for her at all to leave the house with all the illnessess. Good luck

By babycooper
Posted October 29, 2009 at 12:26 am
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Do you all mean helped feeding issues such as not eating at all/enough and it helped..?
Or something else?
All of us mommies that have children who have G-tubes because their child will not eat, or wont eat enough and also shows no interest.. THIS COULD BE HUGE!

Please share some more insight :)))

By AnabellasMommy
Posted October 29, 2009 at 10:21 am
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Yes - my daughter hates to eat. She has GERD and sensory issues, but I have been feeling like there was more going on. I am praying that removing her tonsils will help.

She only takes tiny little bites, and rarely swallows solids. She is 21 months and still getting most of her nutrition from milk & Carnation Instant Breakfast... sometimes she'll eat stage 2 baby food. I can tell she's hungry, but the last thing she wants to do is eat. I'll definitely keep you all posted on how it works out

By Henrysmom
Posted October 29, 2009 at 1:05 pm
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Your daughter is adorable... love the pic! My FT first born, my preemie, and myself all have large tonsils. My parents had discussed getting mine removed when I was in grade school b/c of constant infections, but it never happened. My first son has not ever seemed to be bothered by them, doesn't snore, sleeps well. He's not a great eater, but both sides of the family are small people. I had heard of tonsils affecting eating before, but none of my preemie's doctors seem to be concerned w/ the size.

Just to give you another perspective... my son is 20 months, weighs 17lbs and has a g-tube. He has a cows milk allergy, oral aversions, and has reflux which had been treated w/ Prilosec for over a yr. I thought the Prilosec was controlling his reflux fine. We recently switched drs who changed his reflux med to Prevacid... wow!!!! What a difference! Henry is eating like never before! I was afraid to get excited, but we have been seeing significant improvements over the last few weeks. It is truly amazing.

It sounds like you have probably found the answer to your daughter's feeding difficulties. I know what a relief that feels like! I really do hope the surgery goes well and she begins eating well too! Good luck!!!

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