I have photos to illustrate this post, but I'll be adding them later because I need to take a nap.
And this will be possible, because RYAN IS NAPPING, OH YES HE IS.
Turns out the kid has acid reflux issues that ramped up in the past few days to the worst ever on Tuesday evening and night. This is why he hasn't been able to sleep for longer than two hours without waking up screaming, and then not being hungry at all. And why he's been actually vomiting after eating for about a week, though I didn't see the problem because I was repeating the mantra "this is a laundry problem" over and over and my sense of smell doesn't work.
It wasn't until Tuesday night that Hunter said, Um, he's sick. This is vomit that is covering my shirt, hello.
Oh, I said, as every nerve ending in my body turned on in the same way it did that second week when it became crystal clear that the child was hungry. And I fell into the pit of despair again.
But you know me: LET'S GET THE TOOLS.
Fortunately we had a doctor's appointment the next day. It was his two-month checkup, and he was getting his first round of vaccinations. That all went so well: He weighs 12 pounds, 10 ounces, and his head shape and muscle tone are amazing, the doctor said.
In fact, his abdominal muscle tone is so good that that's part of why he forcefully spits up. There's not a lot of give there in the stomach area.
Ryan took the shots like a champ, with a tiny fever and some fussiness.
The doctor agreed that reflux was the issue, and he prescribed two medications and an elevated mattress and a sling for Ryan to sleep in. The mattress is propped up 10 inches, and the sling goes over the end of the mattress so he can sleep on his tummy but not risk SIDS. It's quite a contraption.
On the same day we got all of this stuff, my copy of "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" arrived along with some diapers from Amazon. In between Ryan's tears and mine, because we're both so tired, I read big chunks of it. Ryan is TIRED, too. He's not been napping well enough.
So we got with the program. He slept in his crib last night for the first time in his contraption, and he went 5 hours, then 4, then two between awakenings. And he's had three naps so far today.
Hunter worked from home today in case I wasn't out of the pit of despair. But I clawed out -- faster than last time.
2 comments:
Every baby I know has acid reflux. It must be the economy or they are worried about never being able to collect social security. Tell Ryam Mimi is coming back and bringing reinforcements!
Wow--my middle child had reflux and he got the two medications, but I have never heard of a sling--must be a new great invention! Good to hear things are sort of settling down in your house. Sort of!
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