I just read this post by K.Law yesterday, and it inspired me to share some real life with you on this little blog of mine. Now I will warn you that reality TV is oh so fun...but reality blogging in the trials and tribulations of raising a one year old? I'm gonna go out on a limb here and says it's probably not quite as entertaining, but this is our life right now. Don't say I didn't warn you....
Shelby is constipated. And when I say constipated, I mean as constipated as a poor little baby could ever possibly be. And we have tried everything under the sun to remedy it, and we have seen absolutely no results as of yet. Can you say FRUSTRATING? I hate it for her. And in the spirit of keepin' it real, I HATE IT FOR MYSELF. Oh my word, the past week has just been miserable. I have tried changing her diet {and with the pickiest eater ev-er, this was no easy feat. I now dread meal times. Dread. With every fiber of my being. Are you getting the picture??}, tried giving her juice {per recommendation of the pediatrician at her 12 month appt, but she.will.not. drink it}, increased her activity level..you name it, we've tried it. We've even gone so far as to give her a suppository and a laxative...and NOTHING.
I think part of the constipation is a result of her recently switching from formula to whole milk. And another part of the problem is probably that she is still drinking more milk than is recommended for a child of her age, but the girl will not eat solids to save her life...so what's a mama to do? Her diet basically consists of milk and snacks. If I let her, all she would eat is yogurt melts & those Gerber Lil Crunchies {which are basically just cheetos for babies that are fortified with vitatmins} & goldfish. And who am I kidding? Despite my relentless attempts, that is pretty much all she is eats. I literally sat at the kitchen table yesterday morning while the two of us ate breakfast in tears. Tears. I know you're probably thinking I am crazy and wondering why I was crying...what's the big deal? Well, let me tell you what the big deal is. Since I have the privilege of staying home with Shelby, she is my one and only concern..my only responsibility right now. And with nothing else to worry about, it leaves me with all the time in the world to obsess over this. And it is literally driving me bananas {which is funny b/c Shelby loves bananas, and I haven't been letting her eat them with the diet change..sadness}.
As frustrated as I am right now, I know I am not alone. I know I am not the first mama to fret over her baby's diet and her lack of poopy diapers. And there is so much comfort in that. I have made some new friends on base recently that have really enriched my life. Two of these sweet people who have befriended us are also UGA alums and even from our hometown...what a small world! As soon as I mentioned Shelby's constipation to this friend who also happens to be a first-time mama, she immediately told me of her struggles of constipation with her son and shared some of their stash of prunes with us. :) Shelby and I have also joined a really great playgroup recently, and it has been so good for both of us. Shelby is getting some great interaction with other kiddos her age, and I am getting the adult conversation that I crave during the days and the camaraderie of going through this journey of motherhood together.
And in conclusion, I must ask you all to pray for some poop. Seriously.
Awww, sweetie, thanks for my shout out! You've enriched my life too! I so felt for you reading this. Adam's worst constipation happened early on when he went from half formula half and breast milk to all formula. I cannot tell you the times I was at the changing table with him holding his little legs back while he cried and I cried. I'll never forget the time you could see it protruding and then watching him tear, ahhh! There was so much guilt and tears b/c I blamed myself b/c I wasn't able to breastfeed. He had to have prune juice in every bottle for months, even though I had sworn to never give him sugar in the first year.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job. I will pray for some poop. Remember, this to shall pass (pun intended).
Cheyanne had a bout of constipation as well a while ago. Some things we did to help (and you may have already tried these but its worth mentioning) are: Pedialax (previously called Infalax) usually worked within a few minutes but I gave that as a last resort, prunes via baby food instead of juice, mixing juice and water which Chey never enjoyed much of, and even using a thermometer rectally. Rectal stimulation may help over time if not immediately.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Chey is pretty picky too. Have you tried giving Shelby Nutrigrain bars? Cheyanne loves them. I break them into pieces for her and she would probably eat them every meal if I let her. They are good because they have fiber and some nutrients and they are sweet which she likes. Other things might be noodles like mac n cheese. Have you tried that? One box lasts a few days worth for her so I give her a little at meals. There is a Chef Boyardee that is vegetable pasta. I know its not great to give all carbs, but when its veggie made, I feel better about it. And its obviously better than other baby snacks which Chey would eat constantly if I let her too. And beans. Have you given her any beans? Like barbecue beans I mean. Chey will eat those all day long. Just ideas.
Does Shelby like baby food at all? A day of prunes and apples gerber baby food would clear out both of my kids :) Poor girl...I've been there, it's terrible. All the dairy and bananas don't help, but she has to eat! I can't believe the laxitives didn't work. Is there any chance she is impacted? Good luck Sarah :)
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