Our Tonsillectomy Journey: What I Want Other Toddler Moms to Know About Airway Health

From pre-surgery talks to post-op cuddles, we've experienced it all. Popsicles are the perfect recovery treat and cozy pajama days with some cuddles offer comfort. Monitoring airway health and follow-up appointments are crucial. Each child's recovery is unique, but with love and support, they'll bounce back quickly!

Two weeks ago, my 3.5-year-old had his tonsils removed, and it has been quite the experience. Now that we’re on day 12 post-op, I finally feel like I can breathe again and so can he.

I wanted to share our story because so many parents hear “tonsils only matter if your child gets strep all the time" resulting in misinformation. All of my parent friends have asked, "Was he getting sick all of the time?" and that simply wasn’t the case for us. Sometimes you just know something isn’t right in your child’s airway long before infections ever show up.

This is our journey from recognizing the signs, to the hardest days of recovery, to the hope on the other side. If you’re a mom navigating concerns about airway health, I hope this offers some clarity and comfort.

When I First Knew Something Was Wrong

When my son was 20 months old, he had ear tubes and his adenoids removed. That procedure was quick and straight forward, aside from the very difficult moment of coming out of anesthesia (if you’ve been there… you know).

But his tonsils became a concern much later. Over the summer, he slept in our bed one night, and that’s when I noticed it, clear sleep apnea events. Pauses in breathing. Gasping. Restlessness. And that immediate instinct all moms recognize: something isn’t right.

The next morning, I checked his tonsils and saw that they were “kissing tonsils,” literally touching in the back of his throat. Suddenly the dysregulation before bed, the difficulty settling, the picky eating, and the sensory seeking made sense. This wasn’t simply “big tonsils.” This was an airway problem.

Meeting the ENT and Making the Decision

At our ENT appointment, the doctor confirmed everything I feared. While strep can be one reason for removing tonsils, airway protection is often the more important one. His tonsils were blocking his airway at night.

They explained that recovery could take 10 to 12 days, and that tonsillectomies in young children are substantially harder than adenoid removal. My son usually heals quickly, so I assumed we’d end up on the shorter end of the range.

Cue the universe laughing at me.

Surgery Day: The Part No One Talks About

His surgery itself was quick — in and out like a champ. But when the ENT came out afterward, he said something that truly validated everything:

“These are some of the largest tonsils I’ve seen on a child his size. I’m not sure how he was even eating.”

I wasn’t imagining things. I wasn’t being dramatic. My mom gut was right.

When we finally got to see him, he was coming out of anesthesia — and if you've ever been through this with a toddler… you know it is not for the faint of heart.

It is emotionally overwhelming and, at times, physically intense. He was inconsolable, disoriented, and panicked.

At one point he wanted my husband, and when I stepped away to speak with the nurse, he became even more distressed and accidentally hurt my husband trying to find me. It is heartbreaking to watch, because nothing helps until they are fully awake.

Once he finally came out of it completely, things calmed down.

The First Few Days: Popsicles, Snuggles, and No Sleep

The first day home was manageable. Popsicles on repeat, medication around the clock, soft foods, movies, and lots of rest.

Our biggest concern was overnight medication. He has never woken on his own to take anything, even as a newborn.

By the third night, things became difficult. He began refusing all oral medications and would only drink water. The next day he refused everything — food, fluids, medication.

By day three, we ended up in the ER for dehydration. Watching your child struggle and refuse the things that would help is incredibly hard. They gave him IV fluids and medication, and thankfully he recovered quickly afterward.

Sneaking in Meds and Toddler Resilience

Once we returned home, he still refused medications during the day. So we got creative and mixed his antibiotics and steroids into his evening milkshake before bed. Survival mode is real, and it is okay to do what works.

He has also consumed what feels like a hundred dollars worth of popsicles over these two weeks. Whatever worked, worked.

He has been such a little trooper through it all.

The Turning Point

Around days 10 to 12, I finally began to notice big changes. He’s breathing more easily. He’s waking up rested instead of dysregulated. His behavior throughout the day is more regulated. Eating has become easier. His energy feels clearer and calmer.

Airway issues affect everything: behavior, regulation, sleep quality, sensory needs, appetite.

Seeing the difference has been eye-opening.

This is only the first step. Now that his airway is clearer, we’ll begin working on correcting his open mouth posture and low tongue resting posture, and we’ll be consulting with a functional dentist to address palate development for long-term growth.

For the Moms Worried About Airway Health

If you’re wondering about your child’s breathing, snoring, sleeping, tonsils, behavior, or regulation, trust your instincts. I wish I had listened to mine sooner.

You are not overreacting. You are not imagining things. You are your child’s safest place and strongest advocate.

If you have questions about airway development or next steps:

• Leave a comment

• Join our free Facebook group, First Words to Forever: Parent Connection Hub

• Book a free consult so I can help guide you

We’re in this together.

XOXO,

Danielle

Speech-Language Pathologist & Toddler Mom