I'm not sure if anyone's heard of the Frazier Water Protocol. We use it with
stroke patients and other adults who have difficulty swallowing/aspiration
issues. (dysphagia) Water is given to people who aspirate with the knowledge
that it will tend to absorb into the lung tissues and not cause any injury.
Thickened liquids do not quench thirst (in surveyed adults) and I would
imagine the same would be for infants (if we were to ask them their
thoughts).

The basic premise is that the human body is made of 60% water and water has
a neutral pH. <<http://www.jhsmh.org/carecenters/re_sp_waterpro.asp>>

Breastmilk tends to be slightly acidic, yet completely within the range of
normal for the human body pH. What I don't understand about thickening
liquids, or recommending thickened formula, is that now we're introducing a
non-normal element into the body. Even if thickened, it's still going to be
aspirated to some extend or another (assuming a mechanical problem, and
nothing is perfect). Why chance bringing something abnormal into the system?
It seems that finding a better position would be a better thought for a
number of these little people.

Best wishes,
Sam Doak
Marietta OH



<<On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 2:46 PM, Kirkwood, Angela <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

> Hello... I would like to direct this post to those of you that work with
> infants with dysphasia/aspiration.  Does anyone have research/evidence
> based information regarding using commercial gel based thickeners with
> breastmilk for infants with dysphasia that have documented aspiration on
> thin liquids and slightly thickened liquids?  I have one article that
> reviews commercial thickeners: The Use of THickening Agents in the NICU.
> ICAN:  Infant, CHild, & Adolescent Nutrition, 2009. Vol.1, No. 2. pg
> 83-87.
>
> We have been unsuccessful in maintaining a honey like texture with
> adding infant cereal to mothers milk.  The organic whole grain oatmeal
> has worked the best but still not able to sustain the required texture
> for more that 5 minutes more or less which is variable.  It just has not
> worked with infants that aspirate any texture other than very thickened.
> Angie Kirkwood RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC
> >>

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome