Boobies!

Once you have a baby there's not much about your body that doesn't change. And there's not much you won't talk about. At least there's not much I won't talk about.

So today I would like to talk about my boobies.

In December 2003 I had breast reduction surgery. I went from a 34 DDD to a 34D and it was wonderful. People who didn't know I had had the surgery thought I had lost about 10 pounds! I loved my new boobies. I could buy shirts in the correct size and not have to make alterations. I could wear a bikini and not look like a porn star. It was fabulous!

And then I got pregnant.

And the boobies didn't change much. But the lactation consultant at my OB's office said that I should be fine.

Fast forward to Aug 25. I had Katie and we worked on nursing. It was slow going at the start. Katie had some issues gaining weight. We had to supplement with formula.

But she started to gain, we dropped formula, and she continued to gain weight.

Great! However, since I've been back at work, I've been pumping and Leftie has always been an under producer. So this week I've been trying some things to get her up to speed with Righty.

I made sure to feed Katie from Leftie first every feeding. I also would go back to Leftie after we were done on the right. And I've really been watching my water intake.

And so far it looks like it might be working. I just finished my morning pumping session and got 2 ounces out of both sides!

Go Leftie!

Now we have to see if this was a fluke or if it's the new normal.

Lets talk about GERD

I've decided to start writing in the blog again (ok, again is the wrong word. I'm going to write a blog).

Let's talk about GERD.

If you have a baby and you are not familiar with this lovely acronym, consider yourself lucky.

If you have a baby and you are familiar with this lovely acronym, I am so sorry.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Infants or Children

It is common for infants to spit up after a meal, but frequent vomitingmay be caused by GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), the upward movement of stomach content, including acid, into the esophagus and sometimes into or out of the mouth. Older children also can have GERD.

Most of the time, reflux in babies is due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. Many infants with the condition are otherwise healthy; however, some infants can have problems affecting their nerves, brain, or muscles. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a child's immature digestive system is usually to blame. They add that most infants grow out of GERD by the time they are 1 year old.

Katie has GERD. But she doesn't have the kind that involves projectile vomiting or lots of spitting up. Katie, my little ninja baby, has ninja GERD (not the technical name, although it should be). Ninja Gerd is the kind that means excessive acid in the stomach making it really uncomfortable to digest her food.

So she squirms a lot. And arches her back a lot. And hates tummy time, a lot. And would rather be held in a standing up position than any other.

The worst part, I had no idea there was anything wrong with her.

I've spent a lot of time with kids, toddlers and babies but not really any time with infants. So I was unaware her behavior was off. Thankfully my mom came in town the week before Thanksgiving to watch Katie while I headed off to my first week back to work. She made me call the doctor. I thought they would laugh and tell me not to worry, they didn't.

So the GERD adventure began. We started with Zantac at the low dose, 1 ml. And it worked! Saturday she was like a new baby! It was wonderful! But after a few days she wasn't as wonderful. So we got permission to up the dose to 1.5 ml. Again, like a new baby! Wonderful! Happy!

Last week was her first week at daycare and I was noticed when we nursed Tuesday night she was squirming and pushing off again. So I mentioned it to daycare Wednesday morning. They had noticed it also on Tuesday. Off to the doctor, again.

Friday we got a new perscription. Picked it up on Sunday (long story but DH had the stomach flu this weekend so I didn't leave the house Saturday, at all). Now we're on Prevacid.

I'll keep you posted.