The Laryngo Files: GI & Early Birthday Fun

The GI appointment was even more frustrating than the swallow appointment in terms of waiting. Our appointment was at 1:45 and the doctor didn't come in until 3:15. Once again, I had a very upset and famished baby on my hands. We first met with Dr. Thomas, who obtained a full background and history as to everything that has happened until now. This blog serves much of the same purpose-- to remind me what has worked and what hasn't. The GI doc looks like Tony Soprano and is very, very nice. Even though Reagan had started out on Zantac, I didn't think it was doing enough so her pediatrician switched her to Prevacid. However, Dr. Cuffari seems to think that the dosage she was on was more for an adult, and that she needed it twice per day instead of just once because infants' bodies absorb medicine at a much quicker rate than adult bodies. He called it an "optimized dosage." He also placed her on Erythromycin, which as you may know, is typically prescribed as an antibiotic, which it is, first and foremost. However, one of the off label usages for Erythro is as a pro-motility agent to assist the food in moving more quickly through the stomach. This is to be given to Reagan 15-30 minutes prior to eating and will hopefully reduce the amount of reflux, vomiting, and gas she experiences. Dr. C said something that really stuck with me. He said, "I don't care a bit about baby spit up. All babies spit up. She could spit up every feeding if she really wanted to. What really bothers me is that she's vomiting due to the fact that her stomach isn't emptying the way it should after a feeding." Reagan does spit up a lot, so that made me feel a little better.

She was all dressed up for her appointment....

Her colic is still in full swing.

At her last weight check, the pediatrician informed me that this would probably end around four months. However, I have heard of some babies exhibiting symptoms of colic until six months or so. The formula she is on is supposed to help with that, though... Enfamil Gentlease. Ryan was on the same thing for his own stridor and reflux, and it worked like a charm for him. It doesn't seem to be enough, though. The pediatrician thought it was a milk sensitivity, although the GI doc doesn't think that's the case. Still, I keep thinking about this other formula, Neocate. It's supposed to be the best of the best, especially for babies with reflux... however, it's super expensive and not covered by insurance. The pediatrician gave us some Alimentum to try. I'll do that for her next feeding.

In other news, Ryan's third birthday is Saturday, so we had a little early birthday celebration with his best friend and her brother. We took them to the Annapolis mall bounce area and Mike's mom brought cupcakes for them to eat. We also had lunch at Noodles & Company. I think he had a blast! Her brother is 5 months old and the size difference between he and Reagan is massive! Ryan's real party is on Saturday, but it's just for family because Reagan is too small to be around a lot of kids right now.