High risk pregnancy due to previous emergency c section with daughter 2 years previously. Gestational diabetes diagnosed at 37 weeks after feeling rough most of the pregnancy. They spotted extra fluid at 36 week scan. Sent for blood test which confirmed GD. No Insulin given, was diet controlled.
Born 39 weeks elective c section. Birth went well. Starting breastfeeding from birth with very small formula top ups. Was aiming to combination feed. When Ricky was four weeks old he had a cough / cold so I purely breastfed him to help him get over the cold. When we went back to some formula top ups as the weeks went on Ricky was progressively reacting worse to formula. Projectile vomiting. Started trying various different formulas to no avail, anti-reflux milk was the best but I knew not a viable long-term solution.
At approx. 10 weeks we had a consultation with paediatrician / specialist – who diagnosed Non IGE medicated allergies, CMPA advised me to cut out dairy, soya and eggs from my diet. Prescribed dairy free milk & omeprazole.
I didn’t agree with his diagnosis and did not cut out said food groups or medicate Ricky. We do however use the dairy free milk as and when needed. Although I am certain he has reflux I did not feel he was suffering or in pain, the formulas simply did not agree with him.
At 11 weeks old I started cranial chiropractor with Ricky to try & alleviate some of the reflux symptoms. He had an intense course of treatment, 15 sessions over a 6 week period.
At his doctor check upon being discharged they advised me he had a partial tongue tie which would resolve itself. It did not and I had this done at 12 weeks old. He had a significant tongue tie.
Ricky is on the whole breastfed except for when I’m not with him as I don’t have the time or supply it seems to produce a breastmilk stash; also with Isla it’s quite tricky to express so to stop adding too much pressure I decided to give up on expressing. He doesn’t projectile vomit on the dairy free milk but he does spit up a lot more than he does with breastmilk so I avoid it as much as I possibly can but try not to be hard on myself about giving it to him as I’m doing my best. He takes a bottle well.
Ricky has sensitive skin, he seems to mark and blemish easily. Something the Doctor told me was related to Non IGE allergies. But seemingly so far he hasn’t had any adverse reactions to any tastings or anything in general.
Truthfully, we don’t have one! He has no routine or naps. He is needy, contact naps after falling asleep on the breast. Ok at sleeping in the car. Will eventually doze off in his pram but absolutely zero independent sleeping skills. He sleeps at night in his snuzpod next to me in bed and was getting good in the night (we had frequent 10 hour stints) but recently he is awake again several times a night for a quick feed and back down. He goes off with a breastfeed approx 8-9pm. Wakes up about 2:30am/4:30am then 6:30am ready for the day. He has a dummy to pacify sometimes but it does more harm than good as he faffs around with it so I’ll be very happy to wave that goodbye! I have his room ready to go with his own cot, total black out etc.
• woke up at 6:15am. Breastfeed and up we get.
• 8:45am a feed & fell asleep on the boob mid fed and had a little 10 minute doze then was awake
• 10am trying to get him to nap to no avail
• 10:30am walked him to sleep in pram
• 10:45am – 11:30am nap
• Awake for milk / food tasting at 12 noon
• Daddy got him to sleep in pram at 1:30pm. Woke up at 2pm
• took for a walk to try and get back to sleep as still tired to no avail. Upset etc.
• breastfed at 2:30pm to calm him down & he slept on me until 3:40pm
• Breastfeed & magic porridge at 4:30pm
• Breastfed at 5:45pm
• Overtired & upset so breastfed to sleep at 6:45pm
• Woke up upset so breastfed again at 7:45pm to calm down. Asleep by 8pm
• Awake at 1:30am Monday 01/08 for a feed. Ten minutes and back down in snuzpod to sleep.
• Awake at 3:30am. Offered dummy. Went back to sleep.
• Awake at 5:30am. Breastfed to sleep
• Awake at 6:45am
• Sleep in general
• Routine in general
• Naps during the day
• Self-settling
• Trying to establish some harmony between baby & toddler life with routines and naps etc.
• Eating – eradicate any “allergy” labels!
