[ContactChar]

Okay, so you live and learn. My little lamb had his 2 month appointment yesterday, and it turns out that he has mild reflux and recurrent constipation. When I described what I thought was problematic, but normal to the doctor, he gave me solutions for both! Now I feel badly that I didn't call in earlier. How do you know when to call and when to assume babe is normal?

I know it's silly, but I sometimes feel like if I don't get this right, they're going to revoke my parenting rights! (Ugh, how many more months until finalization???)

[mommamarci]

YOU ARE NOT A BAD MOMMY!!!!!!

It is so hard to know when to call and when not to call. I never want to be the paranoid new mother that makes everyone at the ped's office roll their eyes!! I usually try to give it a few days (unless a bad rash, fever, etc.) and if it does not get better, I put in a call and talk to the nurse. Describe to her and see if she thinks it warrants a visit. If you are worried, call and ask the nurse's opinion. They are golden!

[HBV]

No, you're not a bad mommy. Babies are SO much more resilient than we think they are, and really, the pediatrician knows you are new at this---that's why they have such a set schedule for checkups that first year. I second Marci's suggestion about calling the nurses if you aren't sure. No matter how much of a pest YOU think you're being, I guarantee they've seen worse.

I chose our ped because he has 6 adopted kids of his own, but one of the things I like best about him is that he gives you a little book when you start w/ him that has a couple of pages on "WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR" One paragraph says something like "No one gives you instructions on how to be a parent, and you're going to have questions. We expect that." He gives you his home number, tells you never to take the baby to the ER without speaking to him first, and basically just reassures you that no matter how much of an idiot you feel like, you really aren't.

[redbonec]

Our pediatrician has told me at every visit that he is only a phone call away, so to call with any questions. So, I do! It is hard to know when to call! I look in my baby parenting books for some things, but I do call and speak to the nurse for something I'm not sure of.

[ajrl]

awww char.. dont beat yourself up... How would you have known..

OK and for the rest of us dummies out here what were his symptoms.. and what did the dr tell you to do differently????

AJ

[ContactChar]

Okay, here are the symptoms, but it may be TMI.

For the reflux, I really should have known better. He has a hard time making it through a bottle without arching his back and crying. Sometimes, he can't make it past a few sips. He settles down when burped, but it starts back as soon as he drinks more. Also, he was spitting up a lot-- but not when he ate. Usually, it was more like an hour or so later. Here's my defense: he doesn't do it with every bottle-- each one is a crapshoot. Sometimes, he drinks slowly and enjoys the bottle, and burps easily. Also, at his 4 day and 2 week appointments, I mentioned his painful gas to the doctor, and they (2 different practices because I traveled to get DS) thought it was just typical baby gas. I couldn't really get a clear read from any of the books I read, so. . .

For the constipation, I described his movements to the doctor: ranging from seedy/yucky to kind of like toothpaste. DS also agonizes when he's pooping. The doctor told me that the toothpasty ones might be a little too hard, and that if he has a few in a row, I should give him an ounce of water with pear or prune juice. My defense: I read every book I had to figure out what normal poop should look like/when constipation occurs, etc. According to what I read, peanut butter consistency (which I equated with toothpaste) is normal; constipation is when you have hard balls, which he does not have.

Anyway, he's doing a little better reflux-wise right now, although I haven't made him sleep in his crib since I found out he had it. He has had some cramping, and one spit-up episode, but things have been far, far better. He hasn't had any toothpaste poop since the visit, so I can't tell you yet whether the solution will work.

Char