Sunday, August 22, 2010

The first hiccup in the road


All of our babies have had various newborn problems. Luke had a severe dairy allergy that we finally figured out when he was about 6 weeks old. He would scream and projectile vomit constantly. Ella had pretty severe reflux and ended up on soy formula due to dietary limitations. And Olivia, well you all know that story too well. She had a dairy intolerance and the worst case of reflux that our Pediatrician had ever seen. This, as you may recall, eventually led us to surgery after a 6 day Hospital stay, several medications, $50 a can Neocate formula and many sleepless, teary-eyed days and nights.

So that is why I say that our babies are hard. We have never know those first few months without diet changes, screaming and wondering what's wrong and what we do.

And then came Charlotte. She was easy. She nursed without difficulty. She hardly ever spit up. She has been a dream.

Until a few days ago. An all to familiar scene. Screaming just moments after she'd fallen asleep, restless, terribly gassy, loose stools. The only positive this time was that I Knew these symptoms well. I took away the breast milk, which I have been working so hard at keeping up for her, and eliminated dairy from my diet. It will take about 2 weeks to get it out of my system entirely and we decided to give her Nutramigen in the mean time. It kills me to pump every 3 hours only to dump it out... but I am determined to give this little girl breast milk so thats just what Im going to do.

On Monday the Doctor wants to see her for possible reflux due to spitting up on the Nutramigen. I can already tell she has it as she fights back spit up and turns red. But red is okay with me, though it makes me anxious. All too familiar to 2 years ago with Olivia. But, again, red is okay. Blue is not.

So here we are again in these familiar days. The good news is that I hardly know better. And that, on this special formula, she's back to being pretty calm and relaxed. Not to mention she slept for 7 hours last night.... not to shabby.

I just hope the next few weeks can go by fast and that we'll be back to breast milk in no time. But man... does this no dairy thing stink!!!

Giving up chocolate and cheese for your baby... thats true love.

3 comments:

Michelle- A look at our lovely life said...

Wow! It just shows what selfless people you and Dave are. To deal with the problems your poor babies have and still have FOUR children is awesome. Of course, your children are so gorgeous and so worth it. I am just saying . . . so many other people would throw up their hands and say I'm done!

Tasha said...

That is true love. You are a good Mom. I am glad you know what to do this time. So frustrating though. She really is so darling. I just love when they are so teeny tiny. That picture with her hands all curled up...so sweet.

Chelsey and Casey said...

Oh my goodness! I'm just getting caught up on these posts. Charlotte is a DOLL! Aw, she is sooo so sweet! Hang in there with the no dairy-- you can do it! I know you had to do it with Luke, so this second time around should be cake.. right? Chocolate cake? AHaha aww.

Baby Olivia

Baby Olivia
bright eyes

My funny Ella

My funny Ella

My handsome Luke

My handsome Luke

O'Paris

O'Paris