Laryngomalacia (floppy larynx) and difficulty weaning: anyone have experience?

[Elibean]

dd2 has mild/moderate laryngomalacia, is a very noisy breather (got better, but worse again at 7.5 months - seems to be fairly par for the course) and is definitely struggling with solids.

I've tried purees, I've tried BLW, and basically she has trouble swallowing - she likes tastes, but gags on everything and won't take more than 4-6 spoonfuls of anything, however much she likes the taste. She will gnaw on banana a bit, and those biscuits (Heinz) that totally dissolve in her mouth, but anything else seems to be too tricky for her. I'm not really worried about nutrition, as she is taking formula ok (just stopped BFing, as in expressing - she couldn't BF when littler so its almost all been expressed milk) but wondering if its really bad that she's not getting tastes/textures yet?

I'm going to ask the HV and (so far not very helpful) GP, and the ENT paeds if necessary, but wondered if any MNers had experienced this, or had any tips/ideas?

Laryngomalcia shouldn't be causing problems with swallowing unless very severe. When did she get diagnosed and who by?

She was diagnosed at 4 weeks, whilst in HDU with bronchiolitis. Originally by paeds treating her on the childrens' ward, and then in ENT dept. via laryngoscope. Its not very severe, but sounds worse in the last couple of weeks - which I'm told is normal, as it can get worse between 4-8 months before getting better?

She also has reflux, if that makes any difference (would have imagined it improving with solids??) and we were told 80% of kids with laryngomalacia do. She's on meds for it.

My youngest, now 2, has Laryngomalacia. He was diagnosed at 1, after several bouts of bronchiolitis and chest infections. It is getting better now, I think he is growing out of it.

He would have periods of not eating well simply because it was hard to breathe and eat at the same time. Especially if he also had a blocked nose.

Have you been given any inhalers?

Does she have a cold or virus at the moment?

Is she struggling to breathe or just very noisy?

She's clealr had a def diagnosis of layngomalacia if she's had laryngoscopy but just not certain that's the cause of her problems with swallowing now iyswim.

Thanks, both...relief to talk about it with someone who's heard of it!

She's had virtually non-stop colds, mostly minor, all summer - dd1 is at pre-school, and is very good at sharing

No inhalers, no. She 'backs up' after a feed and makes pretty horrible wheezing and gasping noises, and has got a lot noisier recently. Not ill - no chest infection, just sneezing a bit and slightly stuffy nose.

I'm not sure if she really has trouble swallowing (she's fine with liquids, apart from the 'backing up' - breathes better before a feed, IYSWIM) or if its uncomfortable because of her breathing, or what. Maybe she just hates solids?! But I'm starting to worry...maybe I should just chill, but if there's a problem I don't want to ignore it either.

Starrystarry, I'm glad your LO is growing out of it. I'm not looking forward to next winter, was hoping it would be better by then but think 1 is a bit optimistic

Hi Elibean,

The stuffed nose would be making it harder for her, I am sure.

How is she at night? My boy used to have the worst troubles at night, but he found as he grew older that if he slept on his tummy over his pillow so his airways were "kept open" it would be easier for him to breath and he would be less noisy. I cant recommend that for your one, as she is so young.

The specialist we saw gave mine inhalers on repeat prescription. The brown preventer inhaler to use one puff morning and evening for 5 days at the onset of a cold only, and the blue reliever inhaler to use 2 puffs after the brown inhaler, and if needed. Not that it would help immensly as he is not asthmatic, but it would help prevent colds turning into chest infections, and to ease his breathing when under the weather.

Could you go back to your gp and ask if there is something to do to help her more? Not really advocating starting inhalers if not necessary, but it is a thought if she is having back to back colds and infections.

I find that he has been a lot better since Christmas. And the doctor did say it would get better from around age 2 as the airways "harden", so I am hopeful it continues. But he is also sensitive to scents (I cant wear perfume), dust, etc so we have to take extra measures to keep him away from what we have discovered makes it worse.

How is she getting on today? It is so distressing to see when it affects them like this.

Thanks, Starry, thats helpful. She's fine in herself today, just not remotely interested in solids - and quite tired, wanting frequent naps. Suspect teething is playing a part too - there's so much going on with babies, isn't there?!

Will talk to GP....she's not had any infections post bronchiolitis, bar colds, we've been quite lucky. And she barely ever coughs, either. Its just the noisiness (yes, worse at night, when tired, and after feeds), and the feeding issues.

Thanks again for your support