Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Gripe Water

On Saturday, you met Auntie Gill and Uncle Dave. They're Granny and Papa's best friends. We all went for a dog walk and then you had cuddles with Auntie Gill.

As the evening wore on, you weren't a very happy baby - you just wouldn't settle and there was a lot of crying. It was definitely you telling us you weren't comfy and it turned into uncomfy and overtired. Our guess was wind but you weren't burping like we'd expect. Granny mentioned gripe water so we picked up some on the way home and tried it as soon as we got in.

It was like a miracle cure! One very large burp and several goblins later, you were back to contented and almost asleep.

Smiles

You've been a smiley baby from very very early on - in your sleep at first (like you were practicing using your facial muscles) and then more and more when you're awake. I'm still not sure the smiles are reactions to anything in particular but I have no doubt it's because you're happy and contented. I even get smiles during a feed!

You've made Mummy and Daddy's heart melt on several occasions when you've smiled at us. It's hard to pinpoint a first time - last week I'd say so 4-5 weeks old.

Doctor: 35 days old

We were advised at the walk in centre to see our GP on Friday afternoon so that's what we did.

Unfortunately, Dr Cameron was running very late so when we saw him he appeared tired and busy. Your cheeks were clearing but not entirely clear so I was grateful for some medical advice. Dr Cameron wasn't too helpful - all he could say was to keep doing what we were doing and that it could take months to settle. Riiiiight. He also wasn't keen to change his diagnosis to eczema so he wasn't really giving us the right advice anyway.

I also asked him to treat us for thrush (lots of antibiotics has taken it's toll on Mummy) and after some persuasion he prescribed treatment for both of us.

He checked my scar, which had been worrying me as it's still weepy in areas, and advised that it's as it should be - which isn't strictly true I don't think.

Wednesday, 16 March 2011

Doctor: 33 days old

Today, I noticed your cheeks were redder and applied the Canesten to discover it made the area weep and appear red raw. Unsurprisingly, it was irritating you so you weren't sleeping and kept touching your face - rubbing it with your hands (in mitts) and on bedding and clothing. It looked so much worse, I called the surgery. No appointments available and they close at 1pm on Wednesdays. I could have a phonecall but I needed someone to see you. The receptionist advised the walk in clinic at Solihull hospital so Auntie Lora came over to take us.



We visited a Pharmacist first who confirmed it needed a Doctor's attention so we booked in at the walk in clinic. We saw a Doctor within 10 minutes who examined you carefully and pronounced it eczema - not just eczema but infected eczema so in need of antibiotic. I was advised to continue with the natural moisture cream I'd bought you alongside the antibiotic cream he prescribed. He advised we see the GP on Friday afternoon to check the condition was improving.

You're two applications in and already there is a definite improvement. You're calmer and touching it less so I can only assume it's bothering you less. You're still waking three hourly at night though so I don't think you're quite back to normal.

Doctor: 32 days old

On Tuesday, your rash was worse - both the redness and the yellow crusting across your eyebrows. I'd done some research and wondered if it was seborrhoeic dermatitis (cradle cap) and eczema. As I was so worried about it worsening, Daddy booked you an appointment with our GP and left work early to take us.

Dr Cameron assessed you and decided it was seborrhoeic dermatitis and prescribed you canesten. He said the rash was the same condition, presenting differently to the yellow crusting.

We filled your prescription for Canesten on the way home and I started treating it that evening. It seemed to help at first application so I was happy.

Nursery Nurse: 31 days old

A nursery nurse, Kelly, visited today to weigh you. She was friendly and we had a little chat but she couldn't advise me on your 'rash' and advised me to see the GP.

You weighed in at 3700g (8lb 2oz) - which is a good weight gain. Clever girl.

Mr Playfor, one of Daddy's rugby friends, gave me some advice about the rash on your face. I thought it was just a milk rash but it's spreading and goes very red so I've been a bit worried. It's just on your face and neck, mainly on your cheeks and chin with some on your head. He thinks (from the sound of it) that it's Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum and will resolve itself.

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

Health Visitor: 24 days old

The Health Visitor visited on Monday, our first appointment. A bit of admin, lots of polite chatter and bit of psychoanalysis for Mummy and a cursory check over and weigh in for you.

You're weighing in at 3.5kg (that's 7lb 11oz) - bearing in mind it's a set of scales that you haven't been weighed on before, that's 10oz this week! Wow! They do say babies have a growth spurt around 2-3wks. You were wonderfully alert throughout the hour, quietly looking at Mummy and at Gillian. She wondered if you were still a little jaundiced but I'm not sure I agree with her.

We talked about our local family centre, I'll get us registered and then we can go if we want to. She left us with several leaflets and said one of her colleagues would be in touch to arrange our next appointment - probably end of next week or beginning of the week after.