They say the NICU is the roller coaster ride of your life (and they were right!) but this tummy trouble of Seth's has been pretty nuts too. He had a really good day yesterday, very little vomiting, lots of happy playing and vocalizing. I kept thinking and saying, "He's like a real baby!" It made me realize how much his tummy must bother him most days, he's so much more sober and less active than the other babies. But yesterday he was just like the other ones; such fun!
The GI doc switched him to Neocate. So far, not good. In fact, much worse than the Elecare (both are amino acid based formulas with no protein of any kind in them.) We are planning to try goat's milk next if this doesn't work in the next 3 days or so. The doctor said it can take that long for his tummy to adjust. So I hope our doctor doesn't read this (ha, ha!), but I have a friend whose friend made her own goat's milk formula, adding the elements goats milk doesn't have that a baby needs. Lots of other people have weighed in too with suggestions on what to add to enrich it, and everyone is saying the same stuff, so that's good! :) I really, really want to avoid the surgery since it's irreversible!
Regarding our appointment on Thursday: After ten days Seth hadn't gained an ounce (still 12 lb 12 oz), but his primary care provider wasn't too concerned because his brain/head grew nicely. She said he's definitely not malnourished; he's still got some good fat stores. However, he DOES need to start gaining again! So please keep praying.
Lest any of you fear he is wasting away, here's a picture from his helmet imaging yesterday:
Which reminds me: If anyone in this area (Dallas) happens to have used baby toys or can find them for good price at a garage sale, I'd love to buy them off of you! We don't have enough of the "explore" and play type, and they are already getting beyond some of the younger baby things (although we're still short of teething rings). I am looking for big, medium and small toys, just so long as they are for babies and not 3+ year olds. Thanks! :)
When we got home yesterday I put Seth in the Johnny Jump-Up, then David and Will both woke up, so I took them over to visit with their brother. Big brother was willing to get in on the action at least long enough for Gavin to get a picture, but not without being goofy, of course. ;) Actually, he did smile very nicely for a couple of other pictures, but the little boys weren't quite so cooperative, so I'm choosing the best one of the babies. Those are harder to get!
Isaac is very patient with all the babies' many and constant needs pulling us in all directions, and he tries to help out by running and fetching and entertaining. He's such a great kid! We are so proud of him.
Will and David have discovered each other and were lying facing one another on the floor this morning at Deb's, laughing at each other. So cute! All the babies gnaw on each other whenever they can find a sibling's hand or foot or arm.
Love to you all, with gratitude,
Carrie
God bless you Isaac,,God's Grace is upon you, to be so willing to help,,where ever needed,,:) Jesus as you calmed the waters of the sea, we ask you now to calm little Seth's tummy to accept the food that is best for him to grow and develop to be the little man you call him to be, and to be a great witness of your Mighty Power Love and Mercy , and give Carrie his Mother wisdom/instinct to know what is best for her son.....Please provide toys for the children for the next stage in their development... And Lord Continue to hold this Family in your arms as they walk this special journey with you..Amen
ReplyDeleteI suppose the gnawing on a sibling's body parts substitutes well for a teething ring, but probably won't do so well once they have several teeth! Praying that Seth's tummy issues will be solved. Always love all the pictures..
ReplyDeleteWilma
I'm so sorry you're stuck on this new roller coaster! Glad Seth had a happy day yesterday, for his sake and yours. Praying daily for his tummy to handle what he needs, for patience for you, for continued growth and development for all the babies. And way to go Isaac for being so helpful and flexible! Such an awesome big brother.
ReplyDeleteas if you need one more person weighing in- I think this may be helpful. I am a big Nourishing Traditions fan-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/recipes-for-homemade-baby-formula#vgmf
Love and Prayers,
Christina
Lots of toys can be found at the NDMOTC sale (next weekend). Washcloths, wet and then frozen in the freezer) work really well for teething. My twins loved them.
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about goat's milk fortified with various necessary enrichments too. God bless you as He gives you His wisdom.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you said your doctor was down on soy formula as he said most babies with milk issues also have soy issues. A pediatrician friend of mine said 40% of cow's milk allergy kids also have a soy allergy. At least 5, and maybe 6, of our kids have been allergic to cow's milk as infants and we did use soy for most of them after I stopped breastfeeding them. All have thrived on soy formula. I really am not THAT keen on it as it is farther from human breast milk than some things but...all our kids are healthy and happy and good weights. Our current baby, age 10 months, has been on formula since he was 2 months old (after I dried up) and he is a very happy, healthy chunky boy with, yes, a cow's milk allergy. All the older kids outgrew the cow's milk thing too...
Hi Gavin and Carrie--Been awhile since I have commented. Love the pictures--I am even able to sometimes figure out who's who without a name!!!!!! I was talking to a friend who had problems with her son, and she said goat's milk is what did the trick. So another vote for that possibility. We think of you and pray for you often. Want to send a check to pay for some toys. Will put in mail on Monday. Love you, Richard and Phyllis
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I may have a few things for you. I'm sending you an email. Leslie
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I dropped in to see what was up and I see that you have such adorable babies! :) Oh and Isaac is a great helper. Bless your heart just when you think things are gonna get a little easier, another window flies open. The good news is "God Is Good" He will give you direction to the proper treatment for Seth's feeding issues. I pray God brings that clearly to you soon and I understand the frustration of not knowing what to feed your baby because everything upsets his tummy. It took us a little while to find just the right formula for my son but once we did, life was GOOD. He quit projectile vomiting, quit fussing with being laid on his tummy to play, sat up more, and really started enteracting at his adjusted age. He was a trooper. He was on Alimentum and my daughter was on Progestamil. Neither could take formulas with soy and goats milk, well, lets just say it was worse for projectile vomiting. It took quite a long time to find the right tecniques and directions to feed them but they both are grown now and healthy. Oh yes, Another trick was sitting them in their infant seat for 30 minutes after eating. No rocking, swinging, laughing or anything just "chill out" listen to some music or give him a quiet toy. My prayers are with you and will continue. Happy Baby Days Ahead. Your doing great from the looks of those beautiful photos. God Bless You and your Family.
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers for little Seth's tummy issues and for all the sibs, that they might all grow strong and be as healthy as possible. And prayers for all the care-givers, and especially for Mom and Dad and Isaac as you all deal with the ups and downs of babydom. God Bless You All! NKL
ReplyDeletePraying for Seth! I'm cleaning out our toys (purging before all the birthdays hit! :o). I'll go through and see if I've got anything you might be interested in. I'll bring them next week with dinner. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteAs I read Abby's post, I chuckled to myself that at times you may have dinner with toys.!!!!' I am envisioning the time when you all come to the table to eat not realizing i become the norm! It will com. I cam remembering looking forward to the evening when my boys could go upstairs,take a bath, get pjs on and tell me the were ready to be tucked into bed! It did happen. Please, pleas write a books about thes precious gifts. I hope you've kept a record of Issac's antics. Your blog is a wonder place to keep these memories.
ReplyDeletePlease excuse the errors and read between the lines. I tried to edit ----argh!!!! I'm trying to do this on my phone!
ReplyDeleteLove allt he pictures!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share them. I have known several babies who tolerated goats milk when nothing else worked, myself included. One of my grandsons had so much rice cereal in his milk it looked pudding, but it stayed down and that's what mattered. It is frustrating sometimes trying to find the right formula for a baby, but it will hap;p;en. Seth has overcame so much, he will overcome this, too. All of the babies look wonderful. It is amazing tos eehow far they have all come. God Bless your family.
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