Leila Rose Petal

Leila is still the chuckingest baby I’ve ever met (and I don’t think that’s because I haven’t met enough babies - I’ve met quite a few and none of them ever chucked like her). On Friday the chuckiness got to the point where I was approaching my wit’s end. So I asked for help on an internet forum.

It’s not something I would normally do since you’re more likely to be told that your problem is caused by not wearing your tinfoil hat every time you set foot outside than you are to get any real advice or assistance. But I was at the point where even a crackpot theory was going to sound good so I did it. I was pleasantly surprised. I got some really good advice and support. And no one told me that Leila’s chuckiness was because I was an older mother and what business do people over 35 have having babies anyway? Don’t they realise that they’ll be old before their kids leave home?

The really valuable piece of information was that, even though Leila isn’t screaming her head off in pain all the time, she could actually have reflux which contradicted what the Maternal & Child Health nurse told me. This sent me off googling for information on reflux and I found the Reflux Infants Support Association site which has lots of really, really good information. Based on reading it and my extensive recent experience of being chucked on, I’ve decided that Leila does actually have reflux. I might go and get an actual diagnosis at some stage, but for the moment I’m satisfied with my own opinion.

Of the signs of reflux that the site lists, Leila displays the following (the list is mostly for my reference):
* Irritability/crying/screaming - not all the time, but certainly when put to bed during the day
* Vomiting, posseting or regurgitation - to varying degrees all the time
* Recurrent hiccups;
* ‘Wet’ burp or hiccups
* Feeding problems
o refusal to feed or only taking a small amount despite being hungry - increasingly
o comfort feeding- wanting to feed frequently - increasingly
o pulling away and arching their back - occasionally
o crying during or after feeds - often after a feed
o gagging/spluttering - occasionally
* Sleeping issues
o catnapping during the day - over the last couple of weeks
o easily disturbed from sleep - during the day
* Congestion, ‘snuffling’ or appearing to have a cold - she’s had a snuffling nose on and off for the last month
* Appearing to be in pain - sometimes
* Wheezing/coughing - sometimes
* Choking - sometimes
* Gagging themselves (using their hand/fist/fingers) - in the last couple of days

The site also had a great list of Management Tips which I’ve started to use:
# Keep baby’s body straight with their head elevated.
# Keep your baby upright for at least 30 minutes after a feed.
# Use a baby sling, which allows you to keep your child upright, while keeping your hands free. Avoid baby slumping. - I’ve had Leila in the Baby Bjorn for most of today.
# Try elevating the head of the cot/bassinet
# Try using a dummy; the swallowing action may help. - She won’t take the dummy most of the time.
# Avoid vigorous movements or bouncing the baby.
# Leave a TV or radio or ‘white noise’ CD on for background noise so that the baby is not easily startled by loud noises.
# Use products to help keep baby upright or help calm them, such as an automatic baby swing, bouncer and/or baby hammock as suitable. - Seriously tempted to buy an automatic swing.
# Change nappy before a feed. Take care to elevate the baby’s head and shoulders; avoid lifting baby’s legs to change a nappy; try rolling the baby to the side instead.
# Avoid any tight clothing around the waist, such as tight nappies, elastic waistbands. - She’s living in jumpsuits. I don’t know what I’ll do with all the cute little trousers I’ve got …

The good news is that since I started following these tips (yesterday & today) we’ve had very little vomiting and the vomiting that has happened has been minor, so that’s all good. The not so good news is that I don’t know how long my back will hold up to carrying her around in the Baby Bjorn all the time and it’s incredibly difficult to get stuff done while wearing the baby. I don’t know how the hardcore Attachment Parenters get anything done.