Brooklyn the Fussy

So we thought Brooklyn was going to be a colic baby. At about 5 weeks, Brooklyn started becoming very fussy and there was nothing we could do to fix her. It turns out that she in fact suffers from acid reflux. After three different prescribed medications, we are starting to think that we finally got the situation under control. Her doctor, Dr. Beard, is convinced that the acid reflux problems is what was causing her to spit up. She thinks that she may also suffer from colic, but that it wasn't the only reason she was fussy.

The first medication that we tried was a pill that I had to hold in Brooklyn's mouth as it dissolved. That did not go over well because this pill did not dissolve fast enough and she got tired of my finger being in her mouth. So then we were prescribed a liquid medicine. Well that didn't work because it actually caused Brooklyn to spit up even more. So then, finally, Dr. Beard gave us Zantac for babies. We had some problems with it at first, but after keeping at it, it has seemed to help cut down on the spit up.

Trying to get Brooklyn to take it is a whole other thing though. This medicine is a nasty mint flavor, which she HATES. I have to give her this medicine three times a day too. So thinking that it might help, I took the medicine and had it flavored. The only flavor Walgreens could add to the medicine though was grape. So now, the medicine is a nasty grape mint flavor. I tried a little bit of the medicine just to know what it taste like, and it is SO gross. I feel horrible having to give her this medicine. She gags on it and everything. I have to hurry and give her the medicine and then hurry to feed her so she will keep as much of the medicine down as possible.

Brooklyn still has issues, even though she is on the medicine. Usually about an hour or two after she eats, she sometimes gets choked up and I have to hurry to sit her up and pat her on the back. Plus, every now and then she will still become really fussy after eating. We think this is because she is a pretty gassy baby. So to help with that problem we give her something they sell over the counter called Gripe Water. This stuff is AWESOME! It's an herbal supplement that is suppose to help with gas, stomach cramps, hiccups, and colic. Almost the second we give Brooklyn some, she calms right down. I don't know what I would do without it!

Anyway, Dr. Beard seems to think Brooklyn will outgrow all of this by 6-9 months. Just another thing to look forward to as she gets older!

Love,
Jennifer