BA took Leah to her appointment with the real pediatric GI yesterday. I couldn't go because I had school. The good news ... there's no permanent damage being done due to her reflux and she doesn't require further treatment. The bad news ... her symptoms are a combination of colic and acid reflux and there's really nothing we can do about it except try to make her comfortable for the next 3-6 months until she outgrows it. The doctor said that her symptoms are considered "normal" in a small percentage of babies and that we just got unlucky here and will have to wait it out. So basically, BA and I have given up on the idea of getting her to sleep at night without being held. We've decided to create an overnight schedule and go back to taking shifts holding her all night. Even though this means I'll be lucky if I ever get more than 3 hours a night, it's also a relief to just quit fighting it. There is satisfaction in just accepting the situation as it is, and moving on. We'll be sleep-deprived, but hopefully happier because we now know there's really nothing we can do about it except wait.
On a lighter note, I got some sleep last night because BA decided to stay up and work late (while Leah was strapped on him in the baby carrier - at least she'll sleep this way so he can get some work done around the house). Then BA's mom took over holding Leah at 5 a.m. so I only had to wake up for about 45 minutes in the middle of the night to nurse her. It was great! I think when you combine it, I got almost 6 hours of sleep!!!
And just for fun, we took some Daddy-Daughter photos of Leah at 6 weeks in comparison to a photo taken of me at 6 weeks. What do you think? The nurses at the hospital all thought that newborn Leah looked like BA, but I think she's starting to take after her mom :)
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AA and her Dad at 6 weeks --- Leah and her Dad at 6 weeks.
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Those pics are sssooooooooooooo adorable! Love it! Sorry to hear that there is no real solution to the reflux/sleep issues. Hopefully she will outgrow it soon.
ReplyDeleteI know you didn't want to hear "she just has to out grow it" but I think you are smart to just go with it. I actually had a friend go through this with her daughter but I didn't want to tell you that she just had to out grow it. I think you will be much better off just accepting it and knowing that it will eventually correct itself. They tried everything...even driving an hour to see my dad once a week for an adjustment. Nothing really helped but now she is a healthy four year old. You guys seem to be such a great team and that will be such a great help!!
ReplyDeleteOh! And she totally looks like you in that picture, AA!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Renee. Yes, acceptance is our new mantra around here. And honestly, it's a relief just knowing she is healthy - I can't really complain because this is a temporary situation, despite how difficult it is now, it will end eventually.
ReplyDeleteCute! Cute! Cute! Yes, she does look like you in this picture. She has BA features in others, too. A beautiful girl with beautiful parents!
ReplyDeleteWell, I can honestly say that Leah bears a striking resemblance to both men in the photos, and they are both hunks. And look at the hair on Leah and AA. Where did that come from??? As for the sleep issue, be thankful that PA is there to help. And it will get better, and I think sooner than predicted. LOve you all. Anon.
ReplyDeleteSo AA's dad was a judge in his picture....what have I done?
ReplyDeleteWho looks the most sleep deprived??? mom
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