i am 21 yrs old and i have a 2 month old daughter who has downs, and we found out that she has a hole in her heart which is common and has to have surgery at 4months old. but im ok w.that fact, and i was wonderin if anyone has had to go through the surgery, and if they have, how did your child react after it? also she has a little trouble eating sometimes. now could that also be because of her downs or just something else? i could really use the support and advice from anyone. thanks so much!

jenny

I am new to this site as well. I am 27 and I have a 7 month old. She did not have to have surgery, but there have been many people that I met in my local suport group that have had children have the surgery and they did very well. One little boy started coming back to the breakfasts that they had only 2 weeks after he had it done. So I am sure that everything will be fine.
Jocelynn has had problems eatting as well. Her theapists say it is because of the downs and low muscle tone in her mouth muscles. She is seeing a speach and feeding therapist and is doing much better. She is now eating baby food off of a spoon and is no longer having problems with choking on her formula.

Welcome Becky and jenny! I have a 6 month old named Emme and she has feeding issues and is seeing a speech therapist for them, it has been very helpful. Hope to see you around!

Vicki, mom to Mackenzie (3) and Emerson "Emme" (May 06, DS)

Hi Jenny, I too am new to the site but wanted to reply to your post. My son just had the same heart surgery on 10/10/06 (at 3 mos. old). We had several obstacles before and after the surgery but the surgery itself went very well and his recovery was very quick. I would love to answer any specific questions you have and my thoughts and prayers are with you as I know how difficult it can be to have a brand new baby and then for that baby to have to undergo heart surgery when it's still soo little. I would love to talk to you and give you support. Send me a private e-mail (ta_hust@msn.com).