Pics/reflux/allergies/Babywise

Ya, so I've been trying to write this post for about a week. There just is no time! :)

Here are a few pics of Mr. Ethan. He's really rounding out in the face, and he gave us his first smile at 6 1/2 weeks. It was so cute...I totally cried! He's been a little stingy with them, but I'm hoping to see more soon!

We've been treating Ethan for reflux, as he projectile vomited several times, and has been SO fussy while eating. It came on quite suddenly, so we had an ultrasound on Wednesday to check for Pyloric Stenosis. Our pediatrician didn't suspect this, but she wanted to get it done just in case. He's all clear. He was on Zantac which didn't do anything. He's now on Prilosec which seems to be better. HOWEVER, coincidentally we've been changing his formula (for supplementing) and he is totally better now! He was on regular old formula that I got free samples of (I think Similac Advanced), then the pediatrician said that perhaps he has a dairy allergy and to put him on a soy formula and I needed to cut out dairy. The soy seemed to help for a while, but then the symptoms came back. After Ethan having the stinkiest poops/farts smelling of sulfer/rotten eggs, she recommeded Similac Alimentum. I think that was the problem!!! He has a dairy AND soy allergy. Ugg. OR, he really does have reflux and the Prilosec kicked in around the same time as the formula switch happened.

I think we'll keep everything the same until 1-11 for his 2 month checkup and slowly add stuff back in (ie I'll start eating dairy/soy, or we'll take him off the Prilosec). Poor little guy. We were going to see a pediatric GI doctor, but he's just been a perfect angel lately, so we'll hold off on that.

We moved the little guy into his crib last night (on NYE at 7 weeks old)...party in Ethan's crib! He has been napping horribly lately (no nap to one hour during the day). Luckily last night he slept 4 1/2 hours, then 2 1/2 hours. If we could just drop the 2am feeding, mama would be a very happy girl!

Last night, we started implementing Babywise. This is a somewhat controversial book, because it is parent directed feeding instead of demand fed. Ethan has been demand fed this whole time (and still is). The basic premise is that you feed, play then sleep (instead of sleeping after eating), AND it has CIO "cry it out" techniques. You strive to have the baby fall asleep on its own after a full feeding and play time (no play time at night). Some say that he is too young to self sooth, it has also been linked to dehydration, failure to thrive, and poor weight gain. We are keeping a very close eye on him and he seems to be doing great (although it's been a day). We want him to be able to go down in his crib instead of in our arms, a bouncer or a swing. He's been doing very well today. We check on him at 5 minutes of crying and sooth him, then at 10 minutes. We haven't had to go past the 10 minute check (max is 15 min right now). He is so tired, but just can't fall asleep. We just need him to sleep longer during the day!!! Baby steps.

In his crib!