And He Wants Me To Do WHAT??

During Hawaii and since coming home, Violet has been having these horrible bouts of shrieking fits after nursing (sometimes during). At the same time, she's arching her back, sweating, and breathing heavily. It almost sounds like she's being stabbed to be honest with you and it's intermittent NOT constant. I called the pediatrician's office a week ago and the front desk suggested gas drops which I tried, but they didn't work. I also emailed my favorite lactation specialist (Susan Orr), who thought it sounded a lot like acid reflux and to keep a food and nursing journal and make an appointment with the pediatrician... which I did (remember the peeing story?). I waited a week before making the appointment though because I didn't know how much of it was reflux versus 1) adjusting to being back home 2) riding on the airplane (ears?) 3) possibly colic? 4) fighting off Matt's nasty cold (which I semi-caught)... But I took her in :)

Dr. M said she looks great and super healthy. He said it definitely sounds like reflux and his preference for treatment is 1) positional 2) mom's diet 3) medication (with meds being the LAST resort). We already keep her upright for 10-15 minutes after each feeding so that was easy. Then he told me about dietary restrictions. OH MAN. The "3 common culprits are: 1) caffeine (including chocolate - yea... WHAT?!) 2) onion, garlic, peppers, etc. 3) ALL dairy (related to dairy protein NOT lactose)". My heart sunk since I LOVE so many of these foods! Honestly... I had a feeling it was caffeine and onions since after cutting those out completely after Hawaii, she's gotten MUCH better. I also eat dairy foods very minimally since I'm a little lactose intolerant, so I'm not so sure it's that. Dr. M did say that I'd have to do this for at least 7-10 days. If I noticed she got better, then I could re-introduce foods one by one for a week at a time to determine specifically what foods are causing her pain. Her bouts of shrieking are so inconsistent that I really don't think it's ALL these food groups. But I HAVE noticed that bell peppers, onions, and garlic have made her yucky :( I myself have never done well with caffeine, but I LOVE a morning latte! So sad that I'm giving that up... AND green and white tea :( The nice thing is that I don't think I have to do the COMPLETE food cut out AND Dr. M said that we can "re-challenge her in a couple months" (try these foods again to see if her more developed tummy can handle it).

It's interesting that while I was pregnant, even though I KNEW giving birth wasn't the end of the story I guess I didn't realize how much sacrificing I'd STILL have to do while breast feeding. It's all worth it, especially when my super happy smiley baby is shrieking in pain... but sheesh!