GERD and Colic

Before we left the hospital, they had changed Arabella's formula three times. By the time we left the hopsital, we were giving her Similac Sensitive RS. The rice starch in the formula was supposed to help with the GERD and her spitting up. After the first night we figured out what worked for her. She would sleep the majority of the night only waking twice to eat.

After the first couple of weeks we noticed that she was making a lot of noise and even crying in her sleep. I chalked it up to the reflux. I noticed that things were progressively getting worse. I was having to swaddle her and hold her literally all day long. When she fell asleep I would be able to put her either in her swing or lay her on the Boppy on the couch. Things just kept getting worse especially at night. I called the pedi and since had no open appointments I saw the nurse practioner because I was worried about her feeling bad at night. The NP told me she had what sounded like colic. She recommended that we switch formulas.

At first she recommended Similac Alimentum, but after explaining that as a baby I had issues with Similac, she let me try the Enfamil Nutrimagen. The Nutriamagen she spit up everything immediately. I called the NP and she said to try the Alimentum because that was the best one. I went and bought a can and it made things worse. Between the Nutrimagen and the Alimentum, she wasn't sleeping at all at night. It made her gas worse, and she was much more fussy. Nathan and I were having to sleep in shifts because she was up literally all night long with no sleep. She slept during the day when her colic wasn't acing up, but nights were hell. I would take the first shift and Nathan the second. Neither of us could stay up all night since he had to work and I was no good to Arabella half asleep. On average we were both getting about 4 hours of sleep. She was only comfortable when she was swaddled and held super tight. So we held her all night long.

I called to update the NP on the formula situation and as a last ditch we tried the Enfamil Lipil for fussiness and gas. She spit that up completely so again I called the NP and she told me to just go back to the Similac Sensitive RS. She has been much less gassy and fussy. All of this started because she had Colic. Now that I know what it is, I can better manage it. Throughout this whole ordeal I had been giving her Mylicon and Gripe Water. I was not at all impressed with the Gripe Water. A fellow nestie friend recommended a colic remedy she used on her kiddos. I am currently waiting on that to get here. Apparently I can't find it here in town so I had to order it online.

I need to learn to trust my instincts more. I was just wanting her not to be in pain anymore. If there was something I could do to help her, I would do it. I didn't think changing her formula was going to be a good idea because of her GERD. After the last formula change I was VERY skeptical about it working. So far today since I gave her the old formula she has been much more relaxed and less gassy. I don't have to give her Mylicon around teh clock anymore. I'm hoping tonight is a good night and she finally gets a good night's rest.

*crosses her fingers* Here's to hoping!

Final postpartum checkup

Today I had my last postpartum check up. My incision looks great and I have no pain in that area. The uterus is still just a little tender but that is normal. I talked to him about my headaches/migraines and he wants to refer me to a neurologist. I thought maybe the hormone fluctuations would be responsible but he said not this long postpartum. He also checked my prolactin levels and I will resume my meds when we get the results back. I can't wait. I don't want my breasts growing anymore. They got slightly larger during my pregnancy, but now they are back to normal. Well as normal as normal is for me. So far so good!

Time flies when you're having fun!

Arabella turned 4 weeks Yesterday. I can't believe she is 4 weeks already. It feels like we just brought her home yesterday. The time is flying by. No wonder so many people tell me to really enjoy her and this time as a baby. I was told it goes by so fast, and it truly does. I love snuggling her and watching her grow.

I am already looking for another job so that hopefully come March, I have a job lined up. I don't really want to back to work, but it's a matter of necessity at this point. I never thought I would enjoy staying home as much as I have, but I really love it. I get to spend all day with the baby and getting things done around the house. It's actually really nice.

She is growing so fast. I look at the pictures from when we first brought her home and the pictures now, and I can't believe how fast she is growing. Time sure does fly!

Battle Scars

Well my incision was healing wonderfully without any sort of pain. That was until I took a tumble down the stairs last week. There was no bleeding from the incision site but I noticed the area right above my incision was REALLY sore. I chalked it up to being from the fall down the stairs. Well it hasn't gotten better and I went in today just to make sure the incision itself is good. It has steri strips on it so I am not actually able to see the incision. The doctor said all is well. I asked him about the tenderness and he informed me that tenderness of the uterus is normal.

My mom managed to give me one of her weird pregnancy things. I have always used Dawn dishsoap. Well I noticed one day after I cleaned the kitchen and bathed the baby, that I had an allergic reaction. I figured it was either the Dawn or the baby lotion. I was puzzled because baby lotion is hypoallergenic. I removed the dishsoap and got a different brand. Sure enough the burning stopped. So now I have this crazy looking rash on my hands and arms. My mom has always had a problem washing dishes but with her it's all dishsoap. She said she didn't have the problem until after she was pregnant with my brother. Her hands actually crack and bleed, I just get an allergic reaction that burns for a couple of days. It's pretty crazy.

Since I am not breastfeeding due to my hormone inbalance, I have to wait for my breast milk to dry out. I though surely by now, it would be completely gone. I am still a little leaky and by little I mean the tiniest bit. At this point, it is just annoying. I am looking forward to getting back on my dostinex to correct my prolactin inbalance. Everything will be checked at my next appointment. I can't wait. I have to wonder if my already high prolactin levels are why I haven't dried out completely.

Arabella has gotten so big already. Two days ago she held her head up for a few seconds on her own and looked around. She has had a lot of strength in her neck since the beginning. She is trying to hold her head up a bit more and look around at everything. It is so amazing. I notice little things that measure her growth. It's the way her newborn onesies fit, the fact that she has outgrown newborn diapers, or that her face has filled out a bit more. I have also noticed her features changing from week to week! Nathan said he noticed it too, and that it was sudden for him. I guess it would be since I have her the whole day and spend more time with her.

The last two nights Arabella has been crying and whimpering in her sleep. I will pick her up to comfort her and she won't wake up. It's really sad. Maybe she is having bad dreams. I hope it stops. It makes me really sad for her. I hope she has more pleasant dreams.

We have had visitors almost every day since Arabella was born. I actually enjoy having everyone over. I even get along with MIL. She has paid me quite a few compliments on how I have adjusted to being a mother and our parenting style. It's actually kind of nice. FIL is so cute with her. I like the fact that our families want to spend time with her. Most people would feel put out or not want to have people over so often. I love having people over that want to shower her with love and affection. It also gives me some time to get things done when they hold her. Tee hee! And it's family so they won't get offended.

Wednesday she will be a month old. The time flies by. It really doesn't feel like a month already. She has gotten so big already. I am really enjoying my time with her. I love snuggling her all day. Everyone always says to enjoy the time when they are so little. Believe me, I will enjoy this time. I love the baby stage. They want you to snuggle them and hold them all day.