Beware of Dr. Google, Dr. Blogosphere to the Rescue
Great news to report...Shel does not have pyloric stenosis. Whew. Dr. Google scared the crap out of me last night.
I know better than to consult Dr. Google. I know better!
And the panic about the procedure itself was completely unnecessary. She did fine with the barium, she did fine with the bottle.
I know I'm a broken record, but thanks for the crossed fingers, thoughts, and prayers. Thanks. I wish I could buy you all a drink or a Mercedes to convey how thankful I truly am.
As far as my other worries about breastfeeding, I have no plans to stop breastfeeding. Dr. M, the pediatrician, is not very educated about breastfeeding. If it comes to her recommending that I stop, I'll respectfully decline that plan of action.
I do seem to have a powerful let down, so I'm going to try pumping for a few minutes before feeding Shel so that she won't get the brunt of the onset of let down. I may even try to feed her for a shorter amount of time. I've already eliminated dairy. If needed, I may start eliminating wheat, gluten, whatever to see if it makes a difference.
Only if I've exhausted all possibilities will I consider switching to formula. I feel that this plan is the right thing for Shel. And selfishly, it's the right thing for me. I know logically that formula is not bad. It's my own perception of myself as a mother that would be bruised.
Speaking of being bruised, Dr. M asked me if I needed Prozac. Her concern for me was appreciated, however, I'm not depressed. I don't know what it's like to be depressed, but I do know that what I'm feeling is not depression. I'm sleep deprived, I get weepy, I'm overwhelmed. I'm not feeling hopelessness. I know that things will get better.
I certainly don't need Prozac, I have all of you! Dr. Blogosphere is certainly a cheaper alternative to pills and therapy.
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I, too learned the hard way that consulting the internet for research on medical issues is very dangerous territory. I did it when my second was born, when the doctor told me the purple marks all over his head were birthmarks - and so I was convinced he had port wine stains - appearance of which can be associated with retardation cases - hmm - what a dumbass I was - (or the doctor whomever you choose) - Baby J's head was bruised from delivery.
So, I don't go near google for this purpose anymore - if I could only stop depending on the crap it throws me up for other reasons I'd be good!
I have never given either of my children as much as a lick of formula - and I know it's just fine - but I totally, totally understand where you're coming from.
SO glad that you got good news!!! Now hopefully the rest will resolve itself quickly so you can get a tiny bit of sleep.
Take the Prozac prescription and sell it. (Ok, totally kidding Internet police )
Great news on Shel !
I breast fed and gave formula to the twins just because I couldn't keep up with the demand.
Initially, I felt badly and like I wasn't doing my part as a mom but then decided it was a silly thing to beat myself up about. The twins were getting the nutrients they needed and that was the most key. Anyhoo, I know this isn't a formula debate so I wish you all the best !!!
I adore the internet, as it has helped me understand real medical concerns--times when I or one of my kids really needed help. But then there are those times when I've been utterly CONVINCED that my child has leukemia or something (and then I announce it to all my friends, relatives, neighbors, and blog-buddies), only to hear that he's fit as a fiddle. hahaha. Ooops!
Glad to hear she doesn't have PS. Did the doc prescribe prevacid?
I have the letdown problem too but I found the pump just made it worse. I think this has a lot to do with my daughter's problems too. Let me know ifyou find something that works for that.
I am very glad Shel did fine with the procedure and doesn't have PS. And I'm glad you're doing fine, too- sad and weepy sometimes, maybe, but not truly depressed. It's good that you can tell the difference- I'm such a hypochondriac that I'll have one day of feeling melancholy and low and crying for no reason and then I'll start thinking, "Uh-oh, am I depressed? Am I on the verge of doing something totally crazy and irrational?" And then the next day I wake up and am fine.
I despise doctors who tell you to stop breastfeeding!! Especially pediatricians!!!
Sounds like you have the right plan. Have you consulted with La Leche? They can actually be very helpful.
You do what's right for you. We got your back!
Oh Jennifer, I am so sorry that Shel is feeling bad.
My daughter went through a very similar thing (without the r/o pyloric stenosis bit. which? ga! I would totally be freaking out).
My pediatrician put her on Zantac and Reglan. The Reglan really really helped us, by moving the milk through her tummy more quickly. The downside(s) were 1) she had to have it 3 times a day, 30 minutes before she eats. Good luck figuring out when kiddo wants to eat, and then putting her off for 30 minutes. I usually pared that down to 15, or 10 if Em was really howling. 2) Two words: squirty poops. Kiddo blew out a bunch of diapers with the forceful doody.
BUT, it totally made her feel better. Gone were the days and nights of screaming and back-arching and spitting up and ... you know what I'm talking about.
I am thinking about you. Hope things improve soonly!
good news about the baby!
I think you will feel better in time :) Every time I think back to when my kids were newborns, I always remember feeling really down and out. (I was depressed a bit though) but it happens. u're right tho... dr. blogosphere is great!! :)
Um, I'll take you up on that drink offer. Shall we say the next play date? You bring the vodka, I'll bring the juice. tehehe!
You are such a great mommy and woman! I love your positive outlook!
Good to hear, about the prozac AND the baby girl!!!!
hugs.
Oh my goodness. What a stressful time. I missed you last post somehow, so I'm catching up today. Thank goodness you got good news, but it stinks that you still don't know what's causing her pain. I teach childbirth and breastfeeding classes, and I want to honor your for keeping with it. There is NO promise that switching to formula will help her; in many cases it'll make things worse. Your milk is still the best thing for her- it's the most mild for whatever it is that's bothering her. MOST doctors do not know much about breastfeeding- do you have a Lactation consultant in your area? I would defer to them with any/all breastfeeding related questions. I've found that they are angels here on earth.
(BTW, I would not judge you if you did wean, but just want to offer you support since your senses are telling you to keep breastfeeding.)
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you navigate- I work in this area and have lots of contacts/resources.
(I also have a Major Strong Letdown, so I can relate there too.)
Take care!
Being totally immodest as a breastfeeding mom, I did use my ultra-strength let-down to show off a couple times and shoot milk across the room. Real mature for a new mom, I know, and my single childless friend was totally freaked out by it. I think that's why I found it so amusing.
The baby getting milk in the eye (and everywhere else) was not so funny, good luck, I hope you find a method that works for you two.
New reader here...
I'm still catching up on your archives, but wanted to post a comment to say that I'm so glad the test went well. My kids have both had pretty bad GERD. My first ped didn't manage it aggressively enough and I suffered through 7 months of total hell (nursing strikes, crossing percentiles for weight, etc.) before getting a second opinion and finally getting him on a high enough dose of zantac. After that, I switched peds and I'm so glad I did because the new ped was willing to put my daughter on prevacid pretty quickly after she showed all the same signs. It took a couple of weeks to kick in, but it did wonders for her feedings.
Anyway, mostly I wanted to say that one of the worst feelings in the world for a mother is feeling like you can't feed your hungry baby because it's hurting her. Stick with the breastfeeding if you can. It's actually easier than formula for a lot of GERD babies. And switch peds if you aren't getting enough support.
Hang in there!
Yay that baby is fine!! Yay! Yay!!
Sounds like you have things under control. :)
I'm SO glad to hear Shel is ok and that the procedure wasn't too awful.
You sound much better today.
Yay! Keep up with the breastfeeding. With #2 I have found a way to politely tell health care professionals to "suck it" when they have (despite their claim to support breastfeeding) suggested that maybe I should supplement with formula "just in case". Even though my baby was having no weight gain issues or jaundice or anything. So very annoying.
Oh, and who hasn't had the crap scared out of them by Dr. Google? I'm thinking about switching doctors, quite honestly...
I'm so glad that everything is good with Shel.
I love your new layout!
I am so glad to get good news from you! Sounds like Shel did fine with the test...that's great.
Good for you on not giving up breastfeeding...stick to your boobs...I mean...guns!
(((HUGS)))
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