Halle's eating has always been a challenge. Early on she was so sleepy from jaundice and hydrocephalus that we battled her falling asleep. Then we moved into reflux and lack of hunger. Pair this with the fact that she did not gain weight her first month and the fact that she above the ninety-ninth percentile for height and we have a problem. She is currently in the fiftieth percentile for weight for her age, but only second percentile for weight to height. Since she was a week old, we have been adding formula to breastmilk to up her calories. We have seen multiple pediatricians, GI doctors, dietitians, chiropractors; we have tried many medicines, dairy and no dairy, inclined sleeping, and many other things; we've had an upper GI, ultrasounds, and other tests. I am thankful that we have had some good stretches of pain free eating, but feeding Halle always takes at least forty-five minutes and usually more like an hour.
Two Mondays ago started our latest downward spiral. She kept eating less and the pain kept increasing. It is so tough to force feed a screaming baby for an hour and to not be able to stop because of weight concerns. To say we have been stressed would be a vast understatement. We can handle feedings lasting an hour, but not screaming for an hour.
Last Tuesday we went to Childrens to seek help. We spent two nights there working with their staff to make a plan for Halle girl. She was quite the trooper through many pokes, tests, and new things! We have a new GI doctor who developed a plan for Halle that has eliminated the pain. The total bottle time has not improved, but the pain is gone. Please pray that this period will pass quickly and for comfort for Halle. We'd also love prayers for us as we feed her.
We are thankful that most babies typically outgrow reflux and that this is not a life long problem, but we cannot wait until we can all enjoy feeding. So hard to see your baby in pain! We'd also appreciate your prayers for weight gain.
We pray this is our last hospital stay for many, many years! It was a little weird to have the same room, nurse, and doctor as one of our previous stays. Stirs up some not so good feelings.
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