Silas is an interesting kid. On one hand he is calm and happy - charming, even - most of the time. But a threshold exists, an invisible and undetectable threshold, and when it is crossed, it's OVER. He's not happy and he's not kidding, and he becomes very difficult to soothe. Lately - say, the past six weeks - that threshold has been creeping up more often. And the past two weeks, more days than not have been spent pacing and attempting - unsuccessfully - to calm a screeching baby. Finally, this past week, in the midst of a SIX DAY STOMACH VIRUS (have you ever heard of such a thing? Me neither), Silas has become so inconsolable that I have felt as though we had a newborn again. Yesterday afternoon was spent asking, "Why is he crying?" and, "What else can I try?"
So today we went in to see the pediatrician. The fussiness was actually a peripheral problem, but the larger issue deserves its own post so we'll get to that later. And it turns out that Silas has reflux. We think. He started Zantac tonight, so we'll know pretty soon if that's what it is, but I feel certain that it is. He is spitting up more often, it is almost impossible to get him to sleep, he is increasingly fussy. Plus, my doctor thinks it's reflux, and she hasn't been wrong yet.
Some people take issue with giving their babies medication every day. There's no question for me. Given the option of a miserable baby or drugs, I'm going for the drugs.
But it's also reframed my thinking about Silas. All of this time, I thought he was ... temperamental. Stubborn, even. Turns out he was in pain. I don't yet know this little boy when he's well, and I'm anxious to. I'm also so glad (SO GLAD) I didn't take any sort of hard line about making him cry it out. He wasn't crying because he didn't want to go to sleep, he was crying because he couldn't go to sleep, because he didn't feel well. I'm really glad I didn't misconstrue that as some sort of behavioral issue, and not comfort him when it turns out he really needed it.
So that's what's on my mind tonight - babies who need comfort and knowing a little more about mine.
4 comments:
I'm sorry that he has been uncomfortable. BUT I am glad you went with your gut and went to the dr. took the meds and are comforting your little one. I hope it helps.
Haydn had reflux. I believe Zantac is what he took as well. And a very expensive formula. I still ended up wearing his milk, more often than not. (((STEPH and SILAS)))
Oh! Poor Silas and Mommy! I feel you... Inever thought Rory would ever quit throwing up! But one day she woke up and never did again. And the meds REALLY helped her. We started with zantac but ended up on prevacid. I was VERY, VERY THANKFUL for the medicine! I hope it helps him immediately!!!
you'll see. he'll be a totally different kid!
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