The Spit Up-Date - Part 2

We are amost two weeks post Upper GI test.  The test results were 'normal.'  It didn't even show that he has reflux - which I could have told them that he wouldn't spit up if they fed him while he was lying down.  Of course, 'normal' is good - but it doesn't explain why he is such a horrid spitter. 

Currently, we are holding off on a visit to the pediatric GI.  Dr. Jimmy was trying to get us into see one because on one occasion Cole spit up his Prevacid 9 hours after he took it - which is very concerning to us.  But, since the Upper GI test, Cole has been doing much, much better.  Here is just a list of things we've changed in an effort to plug up our leaky faucet:

• We are using bottles:  Since Cole is a breast-fed baby, he has never taken a bottle - until recently.  So, now for every feeding with the exception of bed-time and night-time feedings, we are using bottles.  This has been wonderful!  You read about the convenience of breast feeding (no warming or washing of bottles), but breast feeding is really only convenient at night (in my opinion).  Bottles have been able to free me!  I don't feel so trapped anymore!    ...as a side note, can I just say how wonderful the Avent bottles are?!  We love these bottles!
• We are supplementing breast milk with soy formula:  Cole was hungry.  I couldn't supply the demand.  So, we supplement with soy formula.  I hate spending the money on formula, but at least he is adjusting well to the soy formula.  The next step will be the $26 can of alementum formula, which will last no time....  I so hope that we do not have to budget for this expense!
• We are adding rice cereal to each bottle:  Cole gets 1 tablespoon of rice cereal for every 2 oz of milk.  This seems to have made the biggest difference. 
• I am on a no dairy diet:  NO DAIRY!  Did you hear me?!  No ice cream, no cheese, no sour cream, no cottage cheese, no milk, no cream cheese, no butter (gasp!).  Do you realize that all of my favorite convenience foods and snacks contain dairy?!  There will be no brownies, cakes, cookies, no chocolate, no quick stops through the McDonald's drive thru for a $0.69 cone, no fried chicken (cause they prolly dipped it in milk), no cheese burgers, no popcorn, no Cheez-its.  This makes me very sad.  VERY, VERY SAD - and hungry!  The only thing I've found to snack on are strawberry Pop Tarts and I'm coming close to reaching my limit on those.
• We've backed off on giving him solids:  We were shoving jars of baby food down his throat like they were about to expire, but we've realized that he spits up his solids on days that he was able to keep the majority of his bottles down.  I feel bad that he's not getting tastier meals than bland, thickened bottles, but he's been doing so well, that I don't want to feed him things that I fear will make him barf ( as little Zack puts it).  I think tonight, however, we may start to try to ease back into the solids.

We are very hopeful that this spitting problem is only temporary, but I still wonder if we shouldn't just go ahead and see the pediatric GI....  The only thing holding me back is that he will have to be scoped - and I don't want him to have to go through that if it isn't needed - I think he will have to have anesthesia for that.....

On a happier note, Cole is sitting up very, very well.  I can put him down and leave the room and not worry about him falling over on his head.  He is very content to play by himself for a little while as I try to clean up here and there (ie, wash bottles and clothes!).  He is starting to try to crawl!  ...I am so not ready for him to be crawling....  And, we have a tooth!  We can't get a good picture of it, but I'll post one as soon as I get one!

It has been a lazy Sunday afternoon.  Both of the boys are asleep - which is not good because it is so late.  Jeremy is asleep on the couch.  Cole knocked out on a blanket in the living room floor.  One minute he was playing and the next he was asleep!  I wish bed time was that easy!  ...why don't I ever take time for a nap?  ...because there is always something for me to do - I've got dirty bottles and clothes in the dryer calling my name right now.  ...ear plugs.  I think I need some ear plugs!

I am thankful for empty clothes baskets.  Thank you, Jeremy, for helping to keep our clothes baskets emptied.

 

I am thankful for trips to the park with my boys.

I am thankful for these Avent bottles.

I am thankful for amazon.com.  I cannot tell you how much money we've saved by buying diapers through the subscribe and save program.  Not only are the huggies we buy a deal, but they are delivered for free right to my door step.  Finding a box of diapers on my door step is the high light of my day!