Tummy Troubles

Mary Rose continues with severe gas problems that keep her from sleeping and cause her to cry out in pain.  We are finding ways to calm her and help her fall back asleep after waking from pain, but it is agonizing that we cannot take her pain away.  I tried to changing my diet by excluding dairy, nuts and chocolate and after a week, things seemed worse!  I know it takes two weeks to get the proteins out of my system and hers, though.  I called a lactation consultant, who thought I may have an abundance of foremilk (the milk that comes out in the first 2 minutes of nursing is sweet and low-fat).  So, I started nursing her on one side per feed and there was a dramatic difference!  So, I went back on all the foods I had eliminated.   That was a mistake, I think, as her improvement only lasted 3 or 4 days.  Last week I went off dairy and chocolate again; I do suspect dairy is the culprit, even if her doctor doubts that it is the cause.  I am also trying to avoid foods that say contain milk on the ingredient list, like some breads, fig newtons, etc.  That is hard, but better than avoiding wheat or soy.  She had a bottle of part breastmilk part formula on Sunday and she was much worse, which would fit with a dairy intolerance.  She is happy for a short period in the mornings, when I get to see her smile, coo, and gain head control.  She is big enough for the Bjorn carrier and sleeps in it if I stay in motion, so that is a great help in getting us out of the house.  I have been attending a new mom's group in town and it is great to have a social event and talk with other moms.  She is long and skinny (75% length and 10% weight) so we have a hard time finding clothes that fit her, now that she needs her legs covered with the cooler weather.  She wears a few newborn things still, because she is not wide enough for many of her 0-3 month outfits!  Brian thinks her size makes her more cute.
Brian had his first work trip last week to new destinations - Halifax and Toronto.  It was weird to have him in a time zone 1 hour later than eastern!  He did not take advantage of sleeping a long time while he was away.  I had a hard time while he was gone, as she is so hard to put down, but we did have the help of 2 or 3 friends.  Brian has two more trips, each a week long.  I will have my mom here next week to help me while he is in Mexico and Houston.  I know he must really miss Mary Rose while he is gone.
I was away from Mary for almost 2 hours last weekend, while Brian and I went out for a celebratory dinner in my 30th birthday.  I don't really feel like 30, more like 28.  Maybe I feel like I missed the last few months.  We went on a long hike on my birthday, Mary Rose's first, and had people over for drinks and cupcakes.  Our social scene is changing as more babies are born into our group of friends.

I am starting to think more about work, as I return in 3 1/2 weeks.  I am not looking forward to it, partly because I have not had peaceful or fun time with the baby, yet.  I had hoped to be taking her places, getting more done around the house, enjoying her development.  But, at least I feel like I am able to comfort her more than daycare.  I am still working out child care for my two days of work; I am on numerous wait lists.  Many places do not take infants or part-time children, and I need two specific days.  I have a lead on an older woman who lives near work looking to care for one child, so I will meet with her soon.  It would mean driving 35-40 minutes with her each way in the winter (the woman could come here when the weather is good), but I could try to breastfeed at lunch.  I am still not interested in work, though, as I see the email updates and don't really care.  Oh, well, it will be good for me.