Kiptyn's swallow study

On Monday, Kiptyn had his swallow study at the hospital. Basically they give him barium to drink in different bottles. The first one has no thickener, the second a little thickener and the third the thickest. They put him in front of an xray machine and they watch how he drinks. It is pretty neat to watch. He aspirated (meaning the liquid goes into his lungs) the first one. He aspirated the second one. The third one he did fine on, using a cross cut or level 3 nipple. He has a swallow delay which is why he aspirates on it because he cant get it down fast enough before it gets into his lungs. Kinda scary. Good to know now of course. I just wish we would've done this test 5 months ago.

Anyways, he now has to have a liquid thickener in his bottle instead of rice cereal. Of course this stuff isn't cheap either. I have found it much cheaper on ebay! :) Also got a not so smart cashier and got a box of 50 packets for $1.79, reg price is $35. Oops. :)

We just have to be really careful now with what we give him. We go back for another test in 6-8 months. Hopefully this is something he will outgrow.