Suck, swallow, breathe...

Sounds like porn... but this is what Max has started to learn this week.


In the 11 weeks since he was born, Max has had his nutrition through an IV tube, and now through a feeding tube that goes from his nose to his stomach.... he has YET to eat anything by mouth.

That's a challenge for many preemies, making the transition to breast or bottle. Just this week, Max signed on for a clinical research therapy. He's learning how to suck properly. He's always loved to suck, he had his hands in his mouth in ultrasound pictures, and he LOVES that binky! He even sucked on it with the ventilator in his mouth.

This study includes putting a pacifier in his mouth which is attached to a probe. A computer program pumps air into the pacifier in a specific series that teaches him what to do. Basically, on his own, he sucks about 15 times and then is so low on oxygen, his monitors go off, or he sucks, makes saliva build up in his mouth, and then struggles to catch his breath and chokes. His gag reflex is REALLY sensitive. This computer program teaches him to suck 5 times, pause to swallow and breath and then start the pattern again.

It's amazing to watch him and realize all that his body has had to learn outside, which would have been so much simpler in the womb. He's doing a great job so far. Looks like we have an A student already!!