Reflux?

"Mom--watch me!!"

When I breast fed little A (many moons ago), I had top notch support (via the nurses at the Bonnie Doon Health Clinic, various other lactation consultants and experienced friends). I even managed to switch her back from bottle feeding to breast-feeding--a skill she honed and utilized until almost two years of age. Baby N, due to his hypotonia, lacked the muscle-tone in his cheeks to breast-feed, and was an exclusively bottle-fed baby. NB S (appears to have) mastered breast-feeding on her own, with me as her only support, b/c quite frankly--that and Dr. Jack Newman's website were all that was available to her. Things have been going great, and she has even started putting on weight (Peter found she was 7.2 lbs the other day).

Unfortunately, for about the last week, she has also developed this new habit of spitting up (or 'sicking up' as my British mates call it) after each feed. It doesn't matter how long I burp her afterwards, I always find a small little dribble down her cheek, or a wet-spot on the bed. I have friends who have had babies with 'reflux' and I am just hoping that this is not what we are dealing with. I know every baby has some 'baby trauma' that causes his/her parents to grow exceedingly worried about his/her health (and lose many nights of sleep)--but seriously--Universe, I've had enough BT to last me a life-time. Let's keep this baby experience smooth and easy, shall we? Let's not have any hospital visits (particularly in the wee hours of the morning), or call in any 'specialists'. Let's just make this some routine 'baby gas' and call it a day.

Today I had a nice visit with my friend Yolande. I was going to invite a group of ladies over, but I realized after last week's 'event' that I am just not up to entertaining larger groups (yet). Plus, I have no baking in the freezer to fall back on. I learned that Yolande is following in the footsteps of our friend Deema, and is making the move to Dubai. I must admit, I am jealous. In my opinion, one could live long-term in Dubai, without ever feeling that you are in the Middle East. Yolande was kind enough to bring along some dessert (a custard slice I believe) and we enjoyed each other's company for a few hours.

The afternoon passed quickly. Naps and coffee-table play-time (the play-time that centres around the coffee table area--but no longer IN the coffee table, right baby N?--where I am generally glued to the sofa nursing NB), then supper and bed-time. Peter had a 'meeting' today and came home a little after 7, just in time to put little A to bed. The children (as always) were pretty great, and (with the exception of the reflux) nothing to moan about.

Crayola coloured scarves

I am VERY excited to be making my big return (well--it feels big to me) to the Shangri-La tomorrow. I have been missing the hollandaise sauce, the smoothies, the waffles--and basically someone else preparing and cleaning up all the food for me. It will be a bit of an adjustment, working NB S into our breakfast buffet routine, but, we've done it before and we'll do it again.