Pros and Cons

Let me simply state that Baby Girl is doing well. Very well, in fact. Developmentally, that is. She is, actually, according to Early Steps, an early childhood development program, meeting all of the 5-6 month milestones. We have met with these people several times and they have evaluated, looked, observed, and scrutinized her. She has played, and I have answered question after question, as honestly as possible. This particular program does not adjust or correct her age. Meaning that since she was born nearly 2 months early they take none of this into consideration. This is amazing, that she is doing everything a normal 5-6 mo old baby would be doing. She is just tiny. And I mean tee-tiny.

I have a almost 6 mo. old, 12 lb, 3.5 oz baby.I couldn't love her more. The only problem is her eating habits. I struggle daily with getting her to take what her dietitian says she needs to keep growing. She is staying right along the 10th percentile curve, which is great.

I received a phone call from....lets call her Lady L. Lady L is an office case manager for Baby Girl's Dr's Office. She has a daughter with a peg tube. She called to get some info on Baby Girl, which is normal, I get these calls all the time. And she and I have spoken before. Well, She also mentioned, at the end of our conversation that The Dr had come in a few days ago asking her about her daughter with the Peg tube. He also mentioned that he had a patient who he was thinking about recommending to get one. Lady L asked, "Is it Evangeline"? To which the Dr replied "Yes". She stated that he had mentioned this to her, because winter was coming up and there would probably be more issues with Baby Girl getting sick because it does go through the nasal passages that and we have had SO many issues with it.

I have no problem with Lady L or the Ped's conversation. What I do have an issue with is the Dr not calling me about this. He has obviously been thinking about it, and to hear it from someone other than him, is very disrespectful, in my opinion. On that note, however, when all of this tube business started, Patrick and I did say that if things were not better by August then we could start discussing other options. At least I know I tried my best, to try everything before jumping directly to the G-Tube.

Here are a few of the differences for those that may not know:

NG Tube:

Goes through the Nose
Is seen by everyone
has to be replaced weekly
Tape has to be replaced bi-weekly
Can be pulled out by Child
Not permanent-meaning if the situation gets better, then we simply don't insert it.
Requires Home health visits weekly
Has a pump that can be used for nightly feeds but is dangerous due to the fact that the child can inadvertently pull it out, meaning Child can aspirate.


G-Tube (AKA-Peg Tube)

Goes through the stomach
requires surgery for insertion and removal
Not visible
Must be kept clean
More Permanent than NG Tube meaning that if the situation gets better, the tube will more than likely stay, just to make sure that the situation stays stable and Baby Girl can eat everything she needs to by mouth, even when sick.
Has a pump that can be used for nightly feeds
Can also do another surgery at the same time to help ensure that Baby Girl keeps food down. This Makes her not throw up as easily.
Causes a scar
She will more than likely have this till she is at least 5 or 6.


This is not a decision we bear lightly. We have spoken about this at length. There are many, many benefits to getting the Peg tube, however, only time will tell if her stomach will get bigger to where she can handle larger volumes of formula. We were hoping that she would be better by now, to where we could extend her feeding time to 2.5 hrs, and then to 3, and then to 3.5, then to 4, etc. At the beginning of the summer she was able to eat every hr. We got to 2 hrs a few weeks later and are at a standstill there. It is exhausting to constantly worry about how much liquid your child is ingesting. Then, too, we had her on a feeding pump, but because of several issues with it, I no longer trust the saftey of Evangeline, so we are now bolus feeding her (feeding through the tube) every 2.5 hrs through the night. Meaning, we aren't sleeping again.

I would love to get an in home night nurse. However, we are waiting for paperwork to go through. These things take forever. Please pray with us, as we weigh these heavy decisions that will affect Evangeline for many years. Thanks.