2 month appt craziness

[mander82]

Morning ladies,
I just got to work since my LO's 2 month appt was this morning.   Our BMB on the bump was pretty dead yesterday, I think everyone may be lurking the shit out of the drama,  or they jumped ship.....not sure.     After reading the Bump admin and bump mays sticky posts this morning, I am starting to hate their faces.  

Anyways.....Gio got a script for zantac this morning, I am going to pick it up on my way home from work today.    Hopefully it will work miracles like I have heard it did for others.    Apparently the back of his head is not even.....he always looks to the right and we have to try and fix that.   The dr wants us to have a physical therapist come to our house once a week to teach us how to correct it.    After we left the dr. office, DH and I discussed it and everything we do with Gio, we have him facing the wrong way.   The bath tub, the boppy pillow,  the crib, us feeding him......everything has him looking to his right.  Basically we have to turn him around for everything we do.  Shouldn't be an issue.   It just sucks that we have been screwing him up all along and had no idea we were doing it.     She said that if we cannot correct this problem,  he will end up wearing a helmet so his head ends up being shaped correctly.   
He also has cradle cap.....I have heard of this,  but had no clue what it was.    I just figured he had dry skin on his head....She said we can put hydrocortisone on it, or head and shoulders shampoo.   She said it will eventually go away if it doesn't bother us,  we can just leave it alone.

She also said we could try adding oatmeal cereal to his bottles....I know rice cereal is a no no....but has anyone heard about oatmeal cereal?    Maybe that would have the same choking hazard as rice cereal.    She gave us a couple cans of Nutramagen to try if the zantac doesn't help.   She said its really expensive though,  so we should try the zantac first.
He got all his shots and did really well with that, but while the dr was examining him, he had his binky in his mouth that had the little clip tether on it......it must have got under his head and scratched the back of his neck.
  

My poor little man......I feel like he is such a hot mess and half of it is our fault.

[lissydee]

I would personally try the zantac first. Remember it may take up to a couple weeks before it reaches maximum effect so give it time before to work. If then reflux is still an issue, entertain the rice cereal or oatmeal (I've heard of both being used for reflux). I know the point is to thicken and it should work some, but its still so harsh on their gut at this point.

Is your pedi concerned with torticollis? thats what it sounds like LO has (the looking/turning the head only in one direction). Its good that they want PT to look at it as they will have more insight and help show you exercises you can do to help. Its important to intervene early so that there is no shrinking of muscles on one side v. the other. With the head being uneven on one side/flat sometimes they need a helmet to help correct it. Early intervention is key, so just be diligent in helping him turn to his left some more (again PT will help with this).

We're battling cradle cap too. I've been mostly using coconut oil though, a fine tooth comb and also brushing her hair daily. Seems to be helping.

[mander82]

Thanks Lissydee, I am really hoping the zantac helps. She did mention the torticollis, thats what she put on the script for the PT. She told us to go ahead and call to make the appointment for them to come out because it usually takes them 2-3 weeks to get you into their schedule. I figure we will start doing what we can at home in the meantime. Poor little man.

I really need to get some coconut oil.....I need to stop at the pharmacy on my way home for the zantac, do you know if pharmacies sell it, or is it more a grocery store item? I want to get a little baby comb or brush too....I don't have either of those. I got 9 million receiving blankets from my shower, and no hair grooming items! lol....

I am glad you said a couple weeks for the zantac, because I don't think she really said how long to give it before trying the nutramagen. We crammed so much shit into a 1 hour appointment, my head was spinning.

[sweetmelissa5]

You're formula feeding, right (I think I'm remembering that correctly)? I'm pretty sure there are formulas specifically for reflux babies that are thicker, so you could maybe try that before oatmeal. My sister-in-law had to use something like that for her second, and I think it made a big difference.

[lissydee]

I've never tried looking for it at a pharmacy, but your local grocer should definitely have it. If it's not in the baking aisle, try the organic section.

[mander82]

Jan 16, 2015 11:46:35 GMT -5 sweetmelissa5 said:

You're formula feeding, right (I think I'm remembering that correctly)? I'm pretty sure there are formulas specifically for reflux babies that are thicker, so you could maybe try that before oatmeal. My sister-in-law had to use something like that for her second, and I think it made a big difference.

Yeah, we are FF.  We started with regular similac, then tried sensitive similac,  then Enfamil Gentlease, now we are on Enfamil AR.   Its supposed to be thicker to help with the reflux.  We did see an improvement with it,  but our pediatrician said that if he is having heartburn with his reflux, then the thicker formula won't do anything to help with that.   She really seems to think the Zantac will help.   My fingers are crossed so hard!!!  

[jfh]

mander82 I'm so sorry you're dealing with reflux! My DS1 had it pretty bad. Zantac did help him - it wasn't miraculous, but we were happy for any little improvement. Keep in mind that the dose will need to increase as he gains weight, so if it seems to work then stops working, you may need to up the dosage. I'm sure you're also doing things like keeping him upright after a feeding, having him sleep elevated, etc. Have you used a yoga ball? I apologize if this is all rehashing from TB. DS1 screamed so much when he had reflux fits, and the yoga ball calmed him immensely. Lastly, our doc gave us a prescription for something like mylanta that we could use during acute episodes. That really helped us get through the worst times. Good luck, I hope the zantac works!

[jfh]

Jan 16, 2015 11:09:38 GMT -5 mander82 said:

After reading the Bump admin and bump mays sticky posts this morning, I am starting to hate their faces.  

This made go look at their posts. I'm cracking up at this line: "a site board that celebrates babies, the joys of parenthood and everything in between."

I don't understand what is in between babies and parenthood.....

[mander82]

jfh We have tried holding him upright during feedings and keeping him upright for as long as 45 minutes after feedings. He still spits up. He will still be spitting up his previous meal when its time to eat again. I have one of those big exercise balls....is that the same as a yoga ball? You just hold LO, sit on it, and bounce ? I need the confused person smiley face!!

[zengal]

What a bummer mander82! Of course you are not messing him up- he'll be just fine, and it sounds like you have some direction and support to get things going. Good luck!

[mander82]

bah! Just talked to DH on the phone.....he wants to try the oatmeal cereal in his bottles before we give him the zantac...........seriousfuckingly?!?!? I am sure if the thick ass Enfamil AR wasn't thick enough to fix his issues, I doubt adding oatmeal cereal will fix him.

DH is just so anti meds....unless its for himself of course...maybe I will just tell him I can't find it in the stores. If we add that to his Enfamil AR formula, we are going to need an EVEN BIGGER nipple for him....I already had to use a size 2 on the Dr. Browns bottles for the Enfamil AR. He couldn't get it out of the size 1 nipples.

He is making me stabby.....I am sure its nothing to do with the 4 hours of sleep I got last night.

[lissydee]

Jan 16, 2015 15:48:36 GMT -5 mander82 said:

bah! Just talked to DH on the phone.....he wants to try the oatmeal cereal in his bottles before we give him the zantac...........seriousfuckingly?!?!? I am sure if the thick ass Enfamil AR wasn't thick enough to fix his issues, I doubt adding oatmeal cereal will fix him.

DH is just so anti meds....unless its for himself of course...maybe I will just tell him I can't find it in the stores. If we add that to his Enfamil AR formula, we are going to need an EVEN BIGGER nipple for him....I already had to use a size 2 on the Dr. Browns bottles for the Enfamil AR. He couldn't get it out of the size 1 nipples.

He is making me stabby.....I am sure its nothing to do with the 4 hours of sleep I got last night.

Sorry that you two are not on the same page. That's rough.

I'm in team Zantac. You don't want gut problems (I.e. Constipation) on top of the current problem. But that's just my personal opinion.

I hope you two reach a compromise.

[mander82]

Jan 16, 2015 16:02:57 GMT -5 lissydee said:

Jan 16, 2015 15:48:36 GMT -5 mander82 said:

bah! Just talked to DH on the phone.....he wants to try the oatmeal cereal in his bottles before we give him the zantac...........seriousfuckingly?!?!? I am sure if the thick ass Enfamil AR wasn't thick enough to fix his issues, I doubt adding oatmeal cereal will fix him.

DH is just so anti meds....unless its for himself of course...maybe I will just tell him I can't find it in the stores. If we add that to his Enfamil AR formula, we are going to need an EVEN BIGGER nipple for him....I already had to use a size 2 on the Dr. Browns bottles for the Enfamil AR. He couldn't get it out of the size 1 nipples.

He is making me stabby.....I am sure its nothing to do with the 4 hours of sleep I got last night.

Sorry that you two are not on the same page. That's rough.

I'm in team Zantac. You don't want gut problems (I.e. Constipation) on top of the current problem. But that's just my personal opinion.

I hope you two reach a compromise.

Thanks again, I really value your opinion, so that means alot to me.    I am still picking up the script,  but I sent him a link to a website that shows all the cons to adding cereal to bottles at such a young age.     Hopefully I can talk some sense into him when I get home. 

[jfh]

Jan 16, 2015 13:58:59 GMT -5 mander82 said:

jfh We have tried holding him upright during feedings and keeping him upright for as long as 45 minutes after feedings. He still spits up. He will still be spitting up his previous meal when its time to eat again. I have one of those big exercise balls....is that the same as a yoga ball? You just hold LO, sit on it, and bounce ? I need the confused person smiley face!!

Awww, poor guy! My guy had silent reflux so he never spit up, but he screamed a lot. Yes, just the exercise ball! It was the one place DS1 was content.

[KMW08]

RE cradle cap, my lil guy has small patches of dry skin on his scalp. I've been oiling his scalp with baby oil after his baths, then brushing his scalp/hair to loosen the dry skin. So far it's made a huge difference. I have coconut oil too--found mine near breastfeeding/pump supplies. I now use it on my skin since bf'ing failed. Reminds me of HS tanning bed days....

[lissydee]

you know what coconut oil is also goof for? Baking. Try using it in place of oil or butter in a brownie recipe. ZOMG!

[mander82]

Jan 16, 2015 18:54:13 GMT -5 lissydee said:

you know what coconut oil is also goof for? Baking. Try using it in place of oil or butter in a brownie recipe. ZOMG!

I will have to try this! I ordered some coconut oil and a little cradle cap brush from Amazon today. I figured that way I won't have to search the store for them.

[lissydee]

Jan 16, 2015 20:05:24 GMT -5 mander82 said:

Jan 16, 2015 18:54:13 GMT -5 lissydee said:

you know what coconut oil is also goof for? Baking. Try using it in place of oil or butter in a brownie recipe. ZOMG!

I will have to try this! I ordered some coconut oil and a little cradle cap brush from Amazon today. I figured that way I won't have to search the store for them.

I love Amazon.  It saves me from so much stress and headaches having to schlep about with all 3 kiddos

[jfh]

Jan 16, 2015 18:54:13 GMT -5 lissydee said:

you know what coconut oil is also goof for? Baking. Try using it in place of oil or butter in a brownie recipe. ZOMG!

And sautéing! I make an East African dish with red beans and coconut milk, and I always sauté the onions in coconut oil. So good.

[zengal]

I was getting my coconut oil in the beauty section at the store, but once I needed it for cooking and it was half the price in the grocery section! Same exact stuff!

[violet]

mander82 My little guy had cradle cap too, and coconut oil worked ok, but I felt like his head was too greasy.

I started using Mustela foam shampoo for newborns on him instead, and that mostly cleared it up. He still has a few flakes, but it's so much better than before. It has to sit on their head for a few minutes, so I put it on at the beginning of his bath and rub it into his scalp, then do the rest of his bath. At the end of his bath, I use a soft toothbrush to gently brush his scalp, then rinse it out.