the following ideas may interest those caring for baby MB:

"spinal muscular atrophy":

I found: a spiral (a helix): it is self-supporting (arching), it expands (spreads out) while it contracts (goes in), it rests in situ (on location)(self refers).

In other words: spinal muscular atrophy!

To heal: a small leak put in the ventilator tube would allow some natural breathing. Now this pattern is established; baby MB will most likely develop a need to swallow (to clear the airway). As the superimposed breathing pattern from air leaving and entering the leak will cause a gulping effect in the tube.

Next: increase the number of holes (leaks) in the tube to three. The air in the tube can now interchange such as the various leaks can combine or cancel; creating a topsy-turvy effect. The air is tending to get munched up (squelched) in the ventilator tube (it is looking for an escape that involves less pressure)(it massages the baby's lungs, stimulating the baby to secrete substances in their lungs to allow breathing to become independent of the ventilator).

It should be clear when the ventilator is no longer required; as the baby will start coughing.

Once free of the ventilator; the coughing will need something to impact on (coughing involves a light shaking of the body; a reverberation). A cradle would provide this support for the baby (in the Mother's arms say). A gentle rocking of the baby will allow remaining fluid retention problems to sort themselves
out; and a full recovery for baby and Mother.
(Chewing ability would return once the baby can get positive feedback on its position in space; by allowing baby to wriggle?)

-Alan