Lincoln’s Progress to Safe Eating and Drinking
From birth, feeding was a challenge for Lincoln. Even as a newborn, she would gag, choke, and refuse bottles, leaving her parents anxious and exhausted. Lincoln was diagnosed with a lip and tongue tie, laryngomalacia, an underdeveloped esophagus, and a laryngeal cleft. She couldn’t safely eat or drink like typical babies her age and often aspirated. Feeding felt hazardous, with every sip carefully measured, and even close family members were too nervous to help.
“We ended up having to use high-calorie and thickened formula just so she could grow. She was using more calories trying to eat than she was actually getting,” noted Lincoln’s mom, Emily. “Her breathing issues also made sleep more about survival than growth.”
Emily learned about 321go Kids after researching physical therapy and then speech therapy. From their first visit, when Lincoln was a year old, the team became partners in Lincoln’s care, coordinating with ENT and GI specialists. Courtney, a speech-language pathologist with 321go Kids, developed a plan focused on building oral-motor strength, sip control, and introducing new foods as Lincoln got older.
Lincoln’s progress was steady and remarkable. Speech therapy focused on improving her feeding skills. She had surgeries along the way to help. Over time, she transitioned from honey-thick liquids to nectar, then half-nectar, and finally thin liquids. One of the most exciting moments came when Lincoln learned to take small, controlled sips on her own.
Today, Lincoln is three years old and eats a variety of foods, drinks safely, and approaches mealtime with curiosity.
“Getting Lincoln to learn about appropriate drink sizes and how to drink from a straw and an open cup safely was super cool to watch,” Emily shared. “Throughout this time, she was working to grasp something that a lot of people just think comes naturally.”
Therapy sessions blended skill-building with fun. Courtney described: “One of my favorite memories was when Lincoln wasn’t wanting to try fettuccine, so we put a noodle above her lip like a mustache and made faces in the mirror. The stress melted away, and she took a bite.”
These victories were milestones that brought the family relief and confidence. “It’s made our lives less stressful and easier,” Emily said. “I don’t have to micromanage every ounce or worry she’ll get sick. She’s doing it safely, and she’s thriving.”
Courtney is proud of Lincoln’s progress, which she attributes to her family’s support. “Lincoln has overcome so many obstacles, and her resilience shows the power of pediatric therapy when families and therapists work together,” she expressed. “With consistent support, intervention, and creativity, kids can make steady progress that truly changes their trajectory.”
If your child or a child you know is facing feeding challenges, let them know about 321go Kids. Our team is here to guide children to discover hope and unleash potential.