We took another trip to the pediatrician yesterday. We’ve decided to play the role of the annoying parents at the doctor’s office. It’s working well for us. This time we went in specifically to try to figure out what was making HBomb cry for many hours out of the day. I tried asking Hayes. He’s not talking.
So Jen called the doctor and she had us in right away. She wanted to check his corneas to see if he had inadvertently scratched them. This, to us, seemed possible since we’ve been using Hayes’ fingernails to cut diamonds in an exclusive agreement we signed with DeBeers a couple of weeks ago. Oh, and she also wanted to rule out other things that cause colic.
So, after spending all of 30 minutes I work, I drove home to pick up Jen and The Boy. We got in immediately and our doctor went about devising a plan. First of all, it was not cornea problems. Second, since he seems to be stretching out and arching his back after eating it looks like he could have acid reflux.
So she changed our formula to the soy based on. We were a bit concerned about soy due to a recent article about how soy effects the developing digestive system. Our doctor was not familiar with the study, so we’re emailing it to her. Go cyberspace go! After a week of soy formula, she is meeting with us again to see if progress has been made. If not, it’s time to start treating a possible case of acid reflux.
We are hopeful there is a solution here.
Our pediatrician is great and we know she’s willing to go the extra mile. She is young, a new mom, knowledgeable and willing to try things to make Hayes better. This is all we can ask for. If you’re in the Boston area and are in need of a pediatrician, drop me a line and I’ll email you her name. Oh, and if you’re our pediatrician, you can make the check payable to Eric Sagalyn c/o Bank of the Caymans. Everyone else, pretend you didn’t just read that.
Madeleine says:
February 17th, 2005 at 10:39 am
I’m a big believer in frequent trips and calls to the pediatrician — whenever you feel you need some advice. Can’t tell you how many bazillion we had. At an “intro to the peds department” in late pregnancy the nurse (who we came to like very much) said “We expect to hear a lot from you the first year, not as much the second year, and by the third year you probably won’t call us at all.” And it was true.
Except that now, in the 5th year (!!??!!) our move has sufficiently ruined DD’s immune system that we are in constant contact with her new doctor. A friend who recently had a second child is having a similar experience — becoming a big sister sent her first child’s immune system on strike.
But barring stuff like that, you will eventually forget your pediatrician’s phone number and the sequence of digits to get through their automated menu at warp speed.
Meredith says:
February 17th, 2005 at 11:07 am
I’m at three trips so far too. The doctor has been swell about it but I sure do feel paranoid. I suspect they get a majority of their visits from first time parents. I hope you all get to the bottom of the problem soon. Very soon…
BeckaJ says:
February 17th, 2005 at 3:40 pm
I hope Hayes gets to feeling better! If only so you parents can sleep. Poor guys. My eldest nephew had colic for eight months straight before we figured out - duh, he’s allergic to cow’s milk. The acid-reflux thing sounds like a possibility too - Ibabysat for a baby who had it, and also had a habit of spewing up entire bottles of formula right after he’d finish. It got so that I grought an extra set of clothes to his house.
And don’t be put off by soy formula’s stench; it doesn’t taste that horrible. A bit “plant-y”, though.
Lori says:
February 17th, 2005 at 10:53 pm
I have issues with the soy as well. We used enfamil nutramigen with my daughter. There was a difference in her behavior within 24 hours.We are using the enfamil lactofree lipil with my son and he is doing well with it. Hope the baby feels better soon!
paulconrad says:
February 17th, 2005 at 11:24 pm
I can’t read “scratched corneas” without getting woozy. Glad you found a cure. For us, our biggest problem is gas. But I think the kid and wife have gotten used to it.
Scott, Tanya, Colby and Bryce Grove says:
February 18th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
Our DR. suggested gripe water for Colic. We used it on Colby and Bryce and it worked very well. You can get it at any health food store.