Tonya Ratcliff: Babies face heartbreaking health obstacles

"It's time to feed J.T.,” Ratcliff says. "How's he been doing today?”

J.T., 9 months, lies on his back with a pacifier in his mouth. He's wearing camo shorts and an orange T-shirt with the slogan, "Beware: I Block Shots.” He's a cute kid with a smile that melts hearts, but the most heartbreaking thing is how tough his life has been.

J.T. can't eat like most children. An apparent consequence of his fetal exposure to drugs is that he suffers from acute acid reflux. He aspirates his drinks, taking them down his trachea instead of his esophagus. Two weeks ago, he had a feeding tube installed.

His caloric intake comes solely from a special baby formula that is particularly gentle on his tummy. The hope is that one day he'll be able to eat normally, but when is anyone's guess.

In the kitchen, Ratcliff prepares his meal, mixing the formula with water and washing out two sets of tubing. One she leaves empty; the other she fills with water.

"He can't burp,” she says, "so the empty one is to relieve gas. I have water in the other one so he doesn't just get a tube full of air.”

Back in the crib room, she takes J.T. aside. A nursery worker helps as she pulls up his shirt to expose a still-healing 6-inch scar and the external portion of his feeding tube.

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