Miracle baby born in Mater Mothers’ Hospital breastfeeding despite a blocked oesophagus

A baby, born with a blocked food pipe, can now develop his feeding skills and associate a full mouth with a full stomach thanks to a new breastfeeding technique. Find out how this miracle bub got two chins.

Kharissa Ticiver and Oscar Ticiver (10weeks old) at the Mater Hospital. July 31, 2024 .Picture: J&A Photography

Despite finding out at 22 weeks her son may be unable to breastfeed because he would be born with a blocked food pipe, Toowoomba mother Kharissa Ticiver has described her healthy breastfeeding son as having “two chins”.

Born on May 25 at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Oscar is the first baby to benefit from a highly complex, but effective, ‘sham’ breastfeeding technique.

Oscar is one of 4500 newborns with oesophageal atresia (OA), a condition where the oesophagus, or the food pipe, is not connected to the stomach, and will require an operation when he is older to connect them.

Kharissa Ticiver, Oscar Ticiver and Corey Ticiver at the Mater Hospital. Photo: J&A Photography

The new ‘sham’ breastfeeding technique means that instead of creating a choking hazard through breastfeeding, Oscar can develop suckling, swallowing, and latching reflex skills, as well as associate a full mouth with a full stomach.

Each time Oscar feeds, his mother’s milk is removed by a suction tube through his nose into a food pouch and then fed back to his stomach via a gastrostomy tube.

Oscar’s sham breastfeeds were by no means simple, and were overseen around-the-clock, with his food pouch being flushed every 10 minutes so he wouldn’t choke on his saliva, Mrs Ticiver said.

“Nothing about the process is simple, but the dedication of everyone involved is amazing,” she said.

Oscar’s sham breastfeeds were overseen by a large multidisciplinary team, including a lactation consultation, clinical nurse consultant, speech pathologist and a bedside nurse, Mrs Ticiver said.

“Oscar is doing so well now, I do think my breastmilk has benefited him as he’s 3.4kg and he’s got two chins,” she said.

“I know he will get through all of this – Oscar is a fighter.

“He is so chilled. He puts up with so much and gets on with things.”

Kharissa Ticiver and Oscar Ticiver (10weeks old) at the Mater Hospital. July 31, 2024 .Picture: J&A Photography

Mater director of neonatology Dr Pita Birch said his team’s goal was to develop oral feeding skills before Oscar has surgery to connect his stomach to his oesophagus.

“Babies can practice latching as well as the sucking and swallowing movement patterns that are needed to feed safely,” Dr Birch said.

“For all babies, developing those suck and swallow reflexes are important during early neonatal life.

“The technique gives the baby the enjoyment of breastfeeding while also adding salivary enzymes to the breastmilk that is fed into the baby’s stomach.”