General baby questions - please give advice/experience

K

Keepercjr

Guest
First, I think you're doing a wonderful job! I don't have kids w/ CF (I am the one w/ CF) but I am always SO glad to a nursing mom to a CF baby. My mom breastfed me and my brother (he also had CF) in the 80s when it was NOT popular to do so and I'm so thankful that she did. She nursed me till 2.5 and my brother till 3.5. I am still nursing my daughter and have no plans to wean till she is ready. We also cosleep <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
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<br />And yay for EC! I did that w/ my daughter and it was wonderful. BTW she was fully independent a little before age 2. We started EC when she was 3 months old and it was the best decision I could have made for her since she was battling a horrible yeast rash that I couldn't get rid of. But 2 days out of diapers and it was gone completely and we never looked back (don't get me wrong - she was in diapers part time but the bulk of her pottying was in the potty). I really wish I had heard about it when I had my son.
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<br />I think all the advice you have been given is wonderful but I just wanted to clear something up:
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<br /><div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>AleksandraKaczynska</b></i>
<br /> The doc told me that breastfeeding - should be till about 9 months - then it's not so important for the health and nutrition anymore. </end quote>
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<br />That is a big misconception - breastmilk never loses nutritional value and it still very important for health and nutrition! Breastmilk should make up the bulk of a baby's diet till at least age 1 - solid foods introduced at the appropriate time are for practice and should not replace breastmilk intake. Many babies who are given ample opportunities to nurse don't really take much in the way other foods till even older (it isn't uncommon for a nursing baby to not start eating much till 18 months). The immunological components of breastmilk never go away and it is especially valuable when baby is sick as it is sometimes the only thing they will drink. I think each women should make up their own mind as to when to wean but I don't think that it is appropriate for a doctor to say that it isn't so important after 9 months. Doctors are not trained in lactation and usually have not gotten any training at all about breastfeeding in med school or residency. Most of what I've heard doctors say is just plain misinformation....
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<br />One last thing - I know that when cosleeping you don't always know when/if baby is nursing if you are asleep. If her doctor isn't concerned about missing enzymes for a few night nursings, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Try to give her enzymes when you can but since breastmilk is so easily digested and you're doing enzymes for the other feedings, I think she'll be fine. Anyway, keep up the good work!
 

kitomd21

New member
I have two children...BF the second (w/CF) was much easier than the first (w/o CF) in terms of production. Unfortunately, my daughter's recommended calorie intake wasn't fulfilled by BM alone. We had to fortify my milk with formula. I did, however, pump for a year to give her BM w/added formula. I wish I could have BF exclusively, but she needed more than I could give for improved nutrition. I never skipped enzymes out of fear that she would loose out on much needed calories. Early/aggressive intervention with improved nutrition is being linked more and more to improved lung function/health later in life for those with CF...
 

kitomd21

New member
I have two children...BF the second (w/CF) was much easier than the first (w/o CF) in terms of production. Unfortunately, my daughter's recommended calorie intake wasn't fulfilled by BM alone. We had to fortify my milk with formula. I did, however, pump for a year to give her BM w/added formula. I wish I could have BF exclusively, but she needed more than I could give for improved nutrition. I never skipped enzymes out of fear that she would loose out on much needed calories. Early/aggressive intervention with improved nutrition is being linked more and more to improved lung function/health later in life for those with CF...
 

kitomd21

New member
I have two children...BF the second (w/CF) was much easier than the first (w/o CF) in terms of production. Unfortunately, my daughter's recommended calorie intake wasn't fulfilled by BM alone. We had to fortify my milk with formula. I did, however, pump for a year to give her BM w/added formula. I wish I could have BF exclusively, but she needed more than I could give for improved nutrition. I never skipped enzymes out of fear that she would loose out on much needed calories. Early/aggressive intervention with improved nutrition is being linked more and more to improved lung function/health later in life for those with CF...
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
When DS was a baby, I thought the stuffy, junky nose was a normal baby thing. His nose never ran but it was full of thick mucus that I had to get out with a bulb syringe and saline drons. Then his CF doctor saw him and was concerned that he had a sinus infection and put him on abx because he didn't want it to go into his lungs.

DS DOES get more stuff up on the weeks he's on tobi. Now that he's old we have him do sinus rinses, but prior to that we used saline drops before so it didn't interfere with his sleep
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
When DS was a baby, I thought the stuffy, junky nose was a normal baby thing. His nose never ran but it was full of thick mucus that I had to get out with a bulb syringe and saline drons. Then his CF doctor saw him and was concerned that he had a sinus infection and put him on abx because he didn't want it to go into his lungs.

DS DOES get more stuff up on the weeks he's on tobi. Now that he's old we have him do sinus rinses, but prior to that we used saline drops before so it didn't interfere with his sleep
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
When DS was a baby, I thought the stuffy, junky nose was a normal baby thing. His nose never ran but it was full of thick mucus that I had to get out with a bulb syringe and saline drons. Then his CF doctor saw him and was concerned that he had a sinus infection and put him on abx because he didn't want it to go into his lungs.
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<br />DS DOES get more stuff up on the weeks he's on tobi. Now that he's old we have him do sinus rinses, but prior to that we used saline drops before so it didn't interfere with his sleep
 

momtocrazel

New member
keepercjr - we really enjoy practicing ec. we began when h was 4 days old! we still go through a lot of wet diapers but also a lot in the potty. almost 100% of her poos make the toilet. i know it has been a while for you and your daughter - but i am so curious what "normal" 5 mo old baby poop is supposed to look like in the toilet. i have no one to compare notes as most babies at this age only go in their diapers. when h has, it is just a squashed up mess. do you remember with your lil girl at this age what her poo was like? mainly want to know how "formed" it should be at this age and what color. h's poo is greenish in color and sometimes formed kinda like cheese doodles (but soft) but sometimes less formed (doesn't stay together - but still sinks to the bottom - this was how her poo was at <2 mo). sorry to all reading this lengthy poo discussion just love to hear from another ec mom.
kitomd21 - we have been fortunate so far that h is gaining enough weight on BM alone. the cf nutritionist did recommend formula supplementation but didn't push it. if we need to we will but right now we are doing okay.
ratatosk - yeah, h does have some junk in her her nose - the runny nose dries up when she sleeps and then has some lil crusties in there. not sure what to do? ped thinks no prob but we do not have a cg doc in town. only comes for cf clinic every 3 months - argh - so frustrating - that is why i am here to see what others experience is
thanks again to everyone who replies - it really means a lot to me and lil h
 

momtocrazel

New member
keepercjr - we really enjoy practicing ec. we began when h was 4 days old! we still go through a lot of wet diapers but also a lot in the potty. almost 100% of her poos make the toilet. i know it has been a while for you and your daughter - but i am so curious what "normal" 5 mo old baby poop is supposed to look like in the toilet. i have no one to compare notes as most babies at this age only go in their diapers. when h has, it is just a squashed up mess. do you remember with your lil girl at this age what her poo was like? mainly want to know how "formed" it should be at this age and what color. h's poo is greenish in color and sometimes formed kinda like cheese doodles (but soft) but sometimes less formed (doesn't stay together - but still sinks to the bottom - this was how her poo was at <2 mo). sorry to all reading this lengthy poo discussion just love to hear from another ec mom.
kitomd21 - we have been fortunate so far that h is gaining enough weight on BM alone. the cf nutritionist did recommend formula supplementation but didn't push it. if we need to we will but right now we are doing okay.
ratatosk - yeah, h does have some junk in her her nose - the runny nose dries up when she sleeps and then has some lil crusties in there. not sure what to do? ped thinks no prob but we do not have a cg doc in town. only comes for cf clinic every 3 months - argh - so frustrating - that is why i am here to see what others experience is
thanks again to everyone who replies - it really means a lot to me and lil h
 

momtocrazel

New member
keepercjr - we really enjoy practicing ec. we began when h was 4 days old! we still go through a lot of wet diapers but also a lot in the potty. almost 100% of her poos make the toilet. i know it has been a while for you and your daughter - but i am so curious what "normal" 5 mo old baby poop is supposed to look like in the toilet. i have no one to compare notes as most babies at this age only go in their diapers. when h has, it is just a squashed up mess. do you remember with your lil girl at this age what her poo was like? mainly want to know how "formed" it should be at this age and what color. h's poo is greenish in color and sometimes formed kinda like cheese doodles (but soft) but sometimes less formed (doesn't stay together - but still sinks to the bottom - this was how her poo was at <2 mo). sorry to all reading this lengthy poo discussion just love to hear from another ec mom.
<br />kitomd21 - we have been fortunate so far that h is gaining enough weight on BM alone. the cf nutritionist did recommend formula supplementation but didn't push it. if we need to we will but right now we are doing okay.
<br />ratatosk - yeah, h does have some junk in her her nose - the runny nose dries up when she sleeps and then has some lil crusties in there. not sure what to do? ped thinks no prob but we do not have a cg doc in town. only comes for cf clinic every 3 months - argh - so frustrating - that is why i am here to see what others experience is
<br />thanks again to everyone who replies - it really means a lot to me and lil h
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Honestly the best I can remember about her poos was yellow soft serve and it sank.... My suggsestion is to go to the mothering.com ec forum and ask about "normal" baby poop. I loved not having to change poopy diapers <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Of course we had our potty strikes and everything but it was so worth it.

As far as a runny nose, I forgot to mention have you considered a food allergy? It is possible your baby is having a reaction to cows milk proteins in your diet. Runny nose is a common sign of cows milk allergy (incidentally so is green poop). have you considered doing an elimination diet for a time to see if things clear up and then adding stuff back in to see what happens?
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Honestly the best I can remember about her poos was yellow soft serve and it sank.... My suggsestion is to go to the mothering.com ec forum and ask about "normal" baby poop. I loved not having to change poopy diapers <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Of course we had our potty strikes and everything but it was so worth it.

As far as a runny nose, I forgot to mention have you considered a food allergy? It is possible your baby is having a reaction to cows milk proteins in your diet. Runny nose is a common sign of cows milk allergy (incidentally so is green poop). have you considered doing an elimination diet for a time to see if things clear up and then adding stuff back in to see what happens?
 
K

Keepercjr

Guest
Honestly the best I can remember about her poos was yellow soft serve and it sank.... My suggsestion is to go to the mothering.com ec forum and ask about "normal" baby poop. I loved not having to change poopy diapers <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Of course we had our potty strikes and everything but it was so worth it.
<br />
<br />As far as a runny nose, I forgot to mention have you considered a food allergy? It is possible your baby is having a reaction to cows milk proteins in your diet. Runny nose is a common sign of cows milk allergy (incidentally so is green poop). have you considered doing an elimination diet for a time to see if things clear up and then adding stuff back in to see what happens?
 
Thanks Keepercjr
I'll remember that with my second - due about 01.01.2011 <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
And it's good then I breast fed Joanna almost to her secnd birthday.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I started to stop when I thought she was no longer needing it so much - only when she was crying and at night.It seems it was not a bad choice <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
Doctors can make a mess sometimes....
However food allergy is hard to dx in a baby - like you wrote... the only way is to eliminate the product in the diet.
 
Thanks Keepercjr
I'll remember that with my second - due about 01.01.2011 <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
And it's good then I breast fed Joanna almost to her secnd birthday.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
I started to stop when I thought she was no longer needing it so much - only when she was crying and at night.It seems it was not a bad choice <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
Doctors can make a mess sometimes....
However food allergy is hard to dx in a baby - like you wrote... the only way is to eliminate the product in the diet.
 
Thanks Keepercjr
<br />I'll remember that with my second - due about 01.01.2011 <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />And it's good then I breast fed Joanna almost to her secnd birthday.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
<br />I started to stop when I thought she was no longer needing it so much - only when she was crying and at night.It seems it was not a bad choice <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
<br />Doctors can make a mess sometimes....
<br />However food allergy is hard to dx in a baby - like you wrote... the only way is to eliminate the product in the diet.
 
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