If you have spoken to me or even attempted to speak to me in the past eight weeks you know that I am #1) beyond busy and 2) dealing with a very fussy baby. Oh this girl would cry, and squirm and protest and generally be discontent most of the time. My entire (see “24 hour”) day would be wrapped up in guiding her through 4 hours of fighting sleep followed by a fitful 10 minute nap which usually ended with her waking up crying. Never did she seem to just be HAPPY. There were moments, of course, but so fleetingly the came and went – simple previews when I craved the entire movie.
Finally after 8 weeks of lactation and sleep consultants, I took her to the doctor. Thank god she screamed the entire time we were in the office – giving him an idea of just what her upset looked like. He said he thought she might have acid reflux. As she writhed around under his searching hands he became more and more convinced of her ailment.
Now, I know that prescribing medication for acid reflux in infants is one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical solutions, so I was hesitant to just say “yes”. But the doctor assured me by saying “well, I could put her to sleep and scope her esophagus to show you how red it is, but trying the medication is a lot less invasive.”
With those words I flew to the pharmacy with Avery (still) screaming in her car seat. I begged the universe to let this work.
And let me tell you, after just the first dose she was an entirely different baby.
Shock. Delight. Disbelief. Happiness. Elation. Relief.
A new baby had arrived. She was content and happy. She sat for 45 minutes at a time, just cooing and looking around. She fell asleep on her own. She only fussed when she was tired or needed to eat.
After 6 hours I held my breath.
After 18 hours I shared the news with her father.
After 24 hours I shared it with my family.
After 48 hours I stared at her in awe.
After 72 hours I believed it.
