Bottle Aversion

[JaxonMom]

My son is 4 months old.  My son was diagnosed with acid reflux at 2 weeks old after he aspirated and got pnemonia.  We later learned that he has milk protein allergy and when he drinks it sometimes goes down the wrong tube.  He refuses to eat.  We have tested and treated him for a million things (per Ped. Gastroenterologist) and have found no answere.  However, I believe he has bottle aversion because of all his traumatic experiences with eating.  We have found that feeding through a sippy cup that is heavily thickened with rice cereal to slow it down and eating stage 1 solids is the only way he will eat.  I also feed him by bottle when he is sleeping.  You do what you have to do to get your baby to eat.  Does anyone know how else I can get him to drink more liquids or drink from a bottle?  Has anyone been to an occupational therapist or speech language pathologist for this?
Thanks

[zaksmommy]

How is your son doing? Any better?

[JaxonMom]

Thank you so much for the response.  I just ordered it online today.  We just found out that he also has gastritis.  Does anyone know any natural remedies for this?  I am worried about giving him so many meds.
Thanks

[zaksmommy]

Try Simply Thick - its a thickening gel that will help the liquid from splashing into the wrong pipe. My son has acid reflux also and he has to have his nutramigen thickened by the gel - it was aspirating him as well. You can get it at Gordons Food Services (GFS) or online. They have different constancies (nectar & honey). This will work better than the cereal because the dr that did my sons barium swallow told me that rice cereal does not thicken every drop of formula and there is still thin liquid that can splash up. The thickening gel thickens all the formula. Check with your insurance as well - they might cover the gel if your dr gives a note of medical necessity like mine did.  www.simplythick.com