Annika W.
Enteral Feeding Pump User Spotlight

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Annika Ashlyn was born early on an icy morning in December 2003. She was full-term and healthy but very small. We took her home to her brother and sister in preemie clothes. The first few months passed, and we began to see she was not developing like her siblings had.

At six months old she was diagnosed with that vague and fear-filled term; failure to thrive. She struggled with acid reflux, vomiting and feeding problems. Her development fell further behind. She was healthy but the doctors could give us no reason for her slow gains in weight and height.

At her first birthday she weighed 12 pounds. Still not walking at 17 months we began nasogastric tube feeding. We assumed that tube feeding would restrict her movement even more. We knew we had made the right decision when that very weekend she took her first steps. We began with gravity feeds during the day and a continuous feed by kangaroo pump at night. Annika was now a toddler. The gravity feeds became very difficult and messy trying to follow her around.

This past summer it became apparent that Annika would need enteral feeding long-term. As her feeding amounts increased she has stopped eating orally. We began using the Infinity pump shortly before she had a Gastrostomy. We were pleased to feel how light weight the pump was. Although Annika is still unbalanced at times and weak, here was a pump and backpack she could actually wear. We decorated it with stickers and her older sister put a similar backpack on. We are working up to longer times for her to wear it each day.

We live in the country with all the fun and challenges it entails. Annika swings, feeds and plays with our animals and goes fishing with a Barbie fishing pole. The Infinity pump lets Annika be a regular toddler. It allows her to explore without hindrance. We are also grateful for the freedom it has given us as her parents. The Infinity is so user friendly that Annika's grandma is confident feeding her, and we are able to get away on dates.

The future is uncertain. We have many concerns for her growth and feeding, however, we are grateful for the assurance that her enteral feeding is no longer one of them.

Rebekah W.
DeSoto, KS