Lillian Update

Things have been pretty crazy around here since Lillian had her last checkup.  First I'll update the fun stuff.  Within a day or two of her 6 month mark, Lillian started sitting up really well.  Now, she sits up most of the time and even more fun...she is army crawling everywhere.  She is getting faster by the day and although she has yet to even try to get up on all 4's, she is on the move.

Since we left her last appointment, I have been in panic mode.  I started out the first week after her appointment trying to shove her full of any food I could find.  We tried every baby food, cereal, people food, sippy cups with formula and on and on. She fought us so hard.  She gags at everything and we were having to hold her head to get anything in.  It was horrible.  I called the Dr and told her this was too much for me and I was sure I was traumatizing her.  She suggested we see a lactation consultant and so the next day we did.  From there we went to see an occupational therapist, for what they call oral aversion.  She just isn't crazy about things in her mouth.

Over the last week she has gotten much better about putting toys in her mouth, but we are trying to slowly get her used to the idea of food in there.  So far we are pretty unsuccessful.  We have gotten a few things in, but not anything of substance.  There are still many obstacles we have to face and we feel uncertain that it is all linked to this oral aversion.  She has a little cough she does, she chokes easily while nursing, her strong gag reflex and dislike of any food at all has led us to make an appointment with a GI specialist.  I wish we didn't have to wait so long, but the first opening they had was November 1. 

We have taken her for 3 weight checks since her 6 month appointment.  The first appointment we were amazed, she had gained 8 ounces in 1 week.  Then the next week she lost an ounce and then Tuesday she had gained another 6 ounces.  That puts her at 14 ounces for the last 3 weeks which is as much as she gained in the previous 2 months.  We are encouraged at that, but are hopeful that they can give us more information at the specialist.  

It is so difficult to have so much worry and uncertainty with such a small baby.  I hate that they can't tell you what's bothering them.  It is the hardest thing for me and I am almost hoping they find something that can be easily fixed just so we have answers.