It actually came to my mind while we were talking to our pediatrician to ask, "Is she the cutest baby you've ever seen?" But I didn't. We pretty much stuck to the important things.
So, here were our main questions and a paraphrase of the doctor's answers:
1. How deep is the pectus indention?
Answer: Nothing to worry about. It doesn't look like much. It can change at adolescence, so don't stop monitoring, but nothing to worry about now.
2. Does she have a heart murmur like her father?
Answer: Nope.
3. She's been sleeping at great lengths at night. How long is too long?
Answer: A baby in its first few weeks should probably only go (at max) 4 hours between feedings.
4. Is swaddling ok even though the American Society for Pediatrics said it may increase SIDS chances?
Answer: There are a lot of competing theories on this. For now, she feels comforted by swaddling, so go for it.
5. Should we are should we not use alcohol on her healing belly button?
Answer: Do so and do it at least once per day.
6. She seems to be in pain with gassiness. What can we do?
Answer: Babies don't make gas. They get it one of a couple of ways. First, sucking air, usually through a bottle. Second, mommy passes it through to her in the milk. Watch mommy's diet and see what foods are increasing the gases and you will likely fix any problems.
7. How much time should we have Ella on her tummy?
Answer: Ten to 15 minutes two or three times per day.
8. Her skin seems dry now. Should we use lotion?
Answer: No. It's dead skin and will go away. Right now, it's best to steer clear of lotions.
A couple of other things to watch:
1. She should be gaining 0.5-2.0 ounces per day.
2. A temperature over 100.5 means we should call.
3. Mylicon has no side effects and may help with gas.
All in all, it was an educational visit and one that told us that Ella is doing just fine.
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It's an ongoing learning experience that NEVER ends. For instance, did you know that a four-year-old boy develops a fascination for peeing in his bath water? I didn't!
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ReplyDeleteAnother tidbit- the peeing the bath water starts long before 4... Luke's been doing it since he could pull himself to standing at 10 months... Also, Mylicon SAVED our sanity!!! It really works, and it's safe to use up to 12 feedings a day (or whatever the bottle says). I didn't know swaddling could INcrease SIDS, I always heard it DEcreases it. Hmm, even I am still learning :)
ReplyDeleteHey Guys
ReplyDeleteTry olive oil instead of lotion of you want to use anything. As my midwife told me when we left the hospital, "their skin is so thin and absorbs everything so you don't want to use lotion. So just rub it on their clothes if you want them to smell so good - I still do it to my kids 6 and almost 3) After you rub oil all over her you can sit her in the middle of the table and rub bread on her for a snack yum. Ok just kidding you all probably have already found you, as parents, have a new and increased strange since of humor. The strange part is what gets you. Remember being little and staring at the table full of moms and aunts just cracking up over what seemed to be nothing at all. Its just because you have to. Oh and olive oil for cradle cap for sure works like a charm and all natural. Also Hylands Colic Tabs (health food stores and sometimes Walmart) for hurting tummy, fussiness, colic etc. They are amazing. Just read the directions. Love ya Lisa