I had to joke with hubby yesterday that we should just stop taking Lizzie to the doctor because it seems like every time we go she is diagnosed with something new to stress about. Luckily, all of these things are pretty minor and fix-able but it's still stressful.
She was born a month early at 5lbs 10oz. She dropped down to 4lbs 15oz and it took her about a month to get back up to her birth weight, and that was only achieved when I stopped breast feeding and switched to formula. My dr was supportive of me continuing to breastfeed with formula supplementation afterwards to make sure that she was getting enough to eat, but my MIL was not at all supportive and I just couldn't take it anymore.
Lizzie also has an umbilical hernia, baby eczema, torticollis, and plagiocephaly. With those last two, I forget which is which, but she basically has a stiff neck which makes her always turn her head to the same side and that causes her head to be flat on one side. So she gets to go to physical therapy for that.
Plus, she has an "ear thing" that my dr is not concerned about. I google diagnosed it (I know... I know... Never ever ever google diagnose) as either grade 1 mycrotia or just too much cartilage in her right ear. I trust my dr and since she isn't concerned I am trying very hard not to be, but her right ear is noticeably different from her left in a way that it appears something is wrong. But she did pass her hearing test, so that is why I am not pushing harder about this.
Like I said, it's all pretty minor and fix-able but it is still stressful. I just want to stop worrying about all of the medical stuff and enjoy my baby!
I don't even have a question, I just wanted to vent. To turn this into a less depressing post, I guess my question will be... JFF - Have you ever google diagnosed something?
my daughter had torticollis, which caused flat head, which required wearing the helmet. the neck exercises resolved torticollis. the headband resolved the flat head. now as for the ear thing, do not 'trust' the general doctor. take her to an ENT, have them do an ABR test to see if her hearing is ok then proceed as the end advises. good luck.
Just wanted to suggest that you not take advice from your MIL. Unless she lives with you, she doesn't need to know everything! Your pediatrician sounds like she didn't educate you very well on breastfeeding. The weight charts that are typically used reflect weight gain on formula fed newborns!! If you use the weight chart for breastfed only newborns - they look entirely different.
The torticollis is causing the plagiocephaly. (Have already been through this before with a kid) I think you understand that one. An easy way to work through this is to keep your baby from being in all of the baby holding devices (swings, infant seats, car seats, pack n play, etc). Try to hold your baby in a Baby Bjorn or sling as much as you can....this keeps pressure from being on her head.
Consider some mommy and me yoga - would probably help you both to relax. You might also want to try some infant massage.
C.
Just having your baby a month early sounds challenging to me. With all the craziness that comes with a newborn any medical issues no matter how minor will be stressful.
My advice is to wear her as much as possible, try some yoga or meditation when you have a couple of minutes (even some deep breathing on a regular basis helps me relax), tell your MIL to mind her own business (in a gentle way:) and resolve to never google diagnose her again. Enjoy your little girl!
Withing Lizzie good and improved health, and your family strength and resolve.
Best,
F. B.
My granddaughter had an umbilical hernia which resolved itself by age 2 or 3. If such a hernia does not resolve on it's own they can easily repair it. She is OK. This really is not something you need to worry about.
She also had and still does eczema. It's been controlled for several years now. Hers was related to allergies. Once those were figured out and treated the eczema rarely appears. It does take time, thought and professional help to treat it.
My granddaughter was allergic to the protein in milk. The pediatrician tested her for allergies. Her mom switched her to a nondairy formula which reduced several symptons including the eczema. she outgrew the milk allergy by 5 or 6.
Having health issues is sressful because you have to find treatments that help. When you worry about them remind yourself that your baby is OK. She is basically healthy with no death issues. The issues she has are treatable and will be resolved.
Hang in there V. Rae!
You're a good mom to be on top if all if these issues-minor or not.
Praying for your baby, someday she will all better and this will seem like nothing, until then, yes it is stressful! She's your baby!!
Google diagnosing is HORRIBLE!! LOL and i am addicted to it!! (I google everything)
a year ago i had a lump where my thyroid is, my doc checked it out, said "something" was off, sent me to a specialist. I goggled it LOL THYROID CANCER, went to the specalist and ACTUALLY WAS a slighty enlarged (but not abnormal) thyroid and i have strong thick neck muscles (dont ask how i got em wink wink) LOL
I have only Google searched to find more information. Once I start feeling the flutters of stress and/or panic, I stop searching. I don't need to go looking for stress. It seems to know quite well where to find me.
Sending you strength. Being a parent at the best of times is stressful. If you want to enjoy your new baby, then decide that's where your energy will go. I did that at one point with both my babies and I found the declaration freeing. It gave me the necessary personal permission to just enjoy them and be in those precious moments wholly. Good luck.
I just wanted to say that I will be thinking about you and your family. No matter how minor it's never easy to have a sick child. I hope that things start to get better for you and your daughter :)
I am sending you strength! My little guy had torticollis, and so I understand that. Do all the exercises like the PT says. Make sure she gets to her PT. This is hard, it's all hard, but, it will get better!
I would have a specialist look at the ear if you are worried about it. The torticollis is not a stiff neck, it is very weak neck muscles that need to be developed so that she can hold her head up. If she tolerates being worn, make sure she is having to use her neck muscles to look around. But, do this with the guidance of the PT. We put my son in a swing that was tipped to one side so that he had to lift his head to see straight to watch his favorite Thomas. Worked great!
I wouldn't worry about the hernia until she is older. Babies take quite a while for that hole to close in general, and a premie makes sense that it will need some time to see if it resolves itself. If it doesn't, it isn't a terrible surgery. I had it done at 29 and it was a day surgery.
I know this is hard, but you will be ok and get through this. Your little one will be fine, just follow the specialists' advice.
