Oh..my baby!!!

Gas, Colic, Reflux and a Happy Baby

"Hello Lukie" and "Sawaddee kup Lukie." I say these words to you every time you get up in the morning, Lukie. You are growing up so fast. I still remember when I brought you back home like it was yesterday. We have learned a lot together. On Thursday night of the second week, you woke up and cried like every night. I fed you like always. I thought you were hungry like every time. But this time when you latched on, the suckling did not continue like before and you still continued to cry and cry. What was wrong? What was going on with you? I tried walking you to the living room but you still cry and fussed.

Your voice was so lound it woke up Kun yai. It was about one o'clock in the morning. Your crying was very loud and made her concerned. I didn't know what was wrong and assumed it might be gas. Your stomach was very hard and you kicked a lot while I held you. Kun yai asked if I burped you enough. I thought I did, but actually not. Mommy didn't burp you long enough before putting you to sleep. Your crying made my heart break. It was a wake up call for me that I had to do a better job burping you every time after feeding. Since that wake up call, I know you need me to let gas out and not forget.

On the fourth week we went to New Jersey to visit Grandpa John and Grandma Lorraine. They were so very happy to be with you. Grandpa held you pretty much all day except when you were hungry and needed to be fed. Grandma and Grandpa tried to help me from being alone with you and having to do so many thing by myself after daddy's two weeks off from work were over. I can say that was tough. My body hadn't completely recovered yet and I had to start doing laundry, cooking, cleaning and taking care of you, too. I didn't even have time to go to the bathroom and, I think because I'm breastfeeding, all the water I drank became milk for you.

I felt relieved that someone could help me hold you sometimes and my back felt much better. It had started to hurt a little from me holding you all day long because you cried so often.

You cried about the same time every night, between six and 10 o'clock. Daddy and I tried to figure out what the problem was. We read the book and all your symptoms pointed to colic. Well, I hate to say that you are a colicky baby but you are...crying every day at the same time, nobody can calm you down except mommy but just for a while.

Do you know that the more you cry the more you upset youself, because crying so much also makes you gassy? We called and made an appointmet to see Dr. Halitsky. She said that the more you cry, the more air you take into your stomach.

Besides that, you also seemed to feel uncomfortable while you napped in the afternoon. One day you were laying down with me and I was feeding you as usual. Then, when I was going to pick you up for burping time, you threw up. It was a projectle thow-up, Lukie. I was so nervous and concerned. Dr. Halitsky called the hospital for an ultrasound to see if anything was wrong with your intestines. Thank God, everything was normal.

I told the doctor about how you would wake up in the middle of napping. You would cough, twist and turn your face and suddenly start screaming. This is a symptom of reflux, the Doctor said. I read the same thing in the book. Oh, my sweetheart, I don't want you to cry or feel pain at all. Do you know that? I would rather have the pain all to myself as long as it made you feel good, sweetheart. Even though reflux and gas are common in infants I just don't want you to cry or feel any pain.

I love to see you smile and be a happy boy. One of my very good friends said that when you can see your child's first smile it is so meaningful and so amazing. Your smile is the best potion to help relieve me from feeling down and tired. And we are seeing you smile now, Lukie.You make Daddy and I fall in love with you again and again. And it is a very special love. Please be healthy, sweetheart. I love you so much. If you understand, you will know I tell you this a thousand times every day.

Love you so much sweetheart,
Mommy