At 12 weeks old, Gesina is NG tube free! She has been off the NG tube for a week and 2 days and I'm very comfortable saying that we are past the point of no return. She takes her bottle pretty well now but the amounts she takes is somewhat variable. Part of the reason for that is we keep messing around with her formula because of her acid reflux so even the Pediatrician says her small weight gain last week is understandable. The Pediatrician is on board with getting the acid reflux under control and like me, believes that once that is done, Gesina can eat without pain and will be fine with eating/weight gain. Right now, Gesina is in the 40th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height which in my opinion is perfect.
So what are we doing about the acid reflux? We checked and Gesina does NOT have a milk allergy so we really are just dealing with reflux. We've switched her formula, again, to regular formula mixed with baby oatmeal. I'm still working on the ratio of formula to oatmeal as that's more art than science. The amounts she takes has gone "down" as the oatmeal bulks up and adds calories. This is a bit scary for me because the amounts Gesina takes has been such a stressor before the NG tube was gone. I'm trying to live with the ambiguity as she has seemed more content after eating and she is still creating "output"... hee hee. We've also started her on Prilosec, which tastes horrible and is difficult to get her to take but if it works, we'll do it.
In other news, rumor has it that Gesina smiled! Of course, as a working mother I missed it :-( But one smile just leads to another and it's only a matter of time before I get to see my first gummy smile. She has had a string of good days as well with a "neutral" mood to add to the already well established crying and sleeping. Her neutral mood is such a pleasant surprise. She just looks around and absorbs the world around her. I can't wait to see more of this as we get the acid reflux/colic under control. Next up for us, sleep training. I need to get her on a schedule and be able to sleep in her crib at night with no drama. Wish me luck and I'll let you all know how it goes :-)
This is wonderful news! See I told you it would get better, now you can start enjoying your child:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome awesome AWESOME! So very, Very happy to see all this most excellent news!!! Wow, how very far you've come! How very far She has come! Do they thing her seizure meds are causing any of the reflux issues? Just a thought:) It is SOOOO very welcoming to hear the normal, common issues your dealing with now:) Awe, yeah...you didn't Really think it would all just get easier did you?
ReplyDeleteCongratulation sweet Jackie:) I'm beaming with a goofy grin, a heat full of happiness and relief! You've made it to the "normal" circle of everyday life with baby:) Yeah, you had to slay some windmills, take a few dragons by the tail, but...you're where you were hoping to be:)
Although it may not seem like a cause for huggz, shoulder pats and knowing looks and words....IT IS! You have arrived at a place that all of us have hoped for, for so very long...You, Professor(I'm assuming?)Deuling, have achieved your Masters in The Mamas Graduate program....next stop...jabbering, teething, rolling over, scooting...oh yeah...should probably mention the whole toxic poop thing....believe me, you'll know when it arrives....as will the cats, Adrian, the neighbors...lolol...:)
A quick tip for the cereal in milk thing. I did the same for girls when they were babies. I'd mix the cereal with a lil formula and let it set for a bit. I'd make it up a lil ahead of time, then finish filling the bottle. It makes it more...I don't know...more hydrated? It has time to absorb well, so it seemed to satisfy them better and stay in their bellys better.
Wow, what an awesome couple of weeks ya'll have had:) So very happy for you:) I know your mama is Thrilled!!
Please forgive the typos...was in a hurry and just didn't pay attention...rme's...I did what irritates me most when I read posts...I didn't recheck...lol...oh well, maybe it'll be ok this time...;)
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