Monday, July 14, 2008

Time to get real

Although these past nine weeks have been amazingly wonderful, it's come time for us to admit that we have a colicky baby. Yes, despite the pics of Enzo grinning from ear to ear, those moments are unfortunately few and far between - and mostly occur between noon and four. The poor little guy has major reflux and the rest of his plumbing doesn't seem to be functioning normally. He spews every time after he eats -- and mostly 2-3 times, projectile style, and seems to have tummy discomfort. Major.

The good news is that his weight is great -- weighing in at 12 lbs, 13 oz at a semi-emergency doctor's appointment on Friday. He's keeping enough food down to be a healthy weight, but his tummy discomfort isn't getting any better. He cries - interspersed with high pitched screaming - for about an hour every evening. We've tried Mylicon, homeopathic anti-gas medicine, warm towel on the tummy, bouncing, dancing, nursing, pacifiers, football holds, etc. etc. My diet can't get any more bland.

Instead of waiting for him to "grow out of it," does anyone have other remedies to recommend? E's substitute doc (during the appointment last week when our doc was out of town) ordered a barium x-ray to ensure there're no problems with his swallow muscles. But I say, if he can't keep a few oz of milk down, how is he supposed to swallow thick and chalky barium?? Are babies supposed to have barium x-rays?? Please post any solutions we can try....

The best potential solution that my mom came up with last night while we were out to dinner was fresh-from-the-oven warm dinner roll pressed against his belly. It semi-worked. Thanks, Ma.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad little gup enjoyed his bun in the oven!
yer mom

Romios Family said...

Oh no, so sorry for you guys! Nikos was pretty colicky in the beginning too - to the point where I was ready to "Safe Surrender" him at the fire station. Alas, they only take newborns 8 days old or younger. Ha. Luckily for us it got better! Our doctor put him on medication, basically baby Zantac which was a HUGE HUGE help. I know Liz Farrell (Briggs) had her son put on it as well and she claims afterwards he was a new baby! Other advice is to try soymilk when you are finished with/supplementing breastmilk. Also, utilize your family and friends and Jeff as much as possible. Get out of the house if you are stuck at home alone all day. Go to Starbucks and cry if you have to. :) Taki and I tried bouncing Nikos on the exercise ball which would work once in awhile. Good luck! Call if you need someone to talk to - I thought I was going to go CRAZY. (It seemed like all of my friends who had babies prior had had the perfect babies!) Heather

Unknown said...

Unfortunately, I can offer no keen suggestions like Supermom Heather (post-Safe Surrender fantasies). When Steve projectiles from anywhere, I leave the room.

I can, however, offer to babysit if you come visit!

I hope Costco carries Pillsbury Pop N' Fresh rolls.

Sarah said...

Marco didn't have acid reflux, but I think every baby has their "witching hour" in the evening - so just know there are thousands of other mothers bouncing on balls and pacing halls too! (Often unsuccessfully.) The best thing we did was start to put him to bed earlier. By the end of the day, he was so overtired that nothing would soothe him. Some days, we put him down as early as 6. Doesn't help with the vomiting I know. And yes, Heather, three cheers for soy formula!"

Anonymous said...

You need to ask Lee or Terry if they can find Dr. Garrisi or one of his nurses. She might remember what I had to put in Jessica's bottle to help her with the colic. She had it bad and I couldn't sleep...that's why he did it. I was a stress case. Also, Jeff's nana might remember the herbs she used to make Jessica (and Dominic) as a tea (a supplement to the milk)when they had colic. Jessica was the worst of the two. Dominic was lactose intolerant and had to drink soy based formula....Dr. Garrisi said it contributed to his being a big boy. Seriously, nana might be your best bet...also ask other doctors if baby's can take berium (sounds sketchy to me)