The vomiting has returned with a vengeance, and diarrhea has been added to the mix as well. So, needless to say, it's been a fun laundry and clean-up week at our house. (Remember, we're a cloth diapering family, so it's even worse than you think). Poor Ben deals with the brunt of it, and I really think it's starting to wear on him.
Truman had a doctor's appointment yesterday for a a Bailey's screen. It's just a regular screening process for developmental delays and therapy planning. Prior to the screening, we spent some time talking with Truman's pediatrician yesterday about Truman's feeding issues and developmental issues generally in light of the screening. We love Dr. Suterwala. He is so good about putting it all in perspective and reminding us that all of the other medical personnel--the various therapists, nutritionists, etc.--are focused on their little piece of the puzzle and milestones and benchmarks. He is looking at the big picture for a baby boy born at 23 weeks, and the picture looks great.
He basically said, look, there will be challenges all along the way, but he is making progress and has come so far since the beginning and just since the summer. Our job is just to keep him moving forward and give him the tools to do it at whatever pace it happens. He also told us that he had patients that refused to drink for two months and then returned to it and that we should expect periods where Truman may just decide not to eat much at all. It's not ideal or desirable, but it's not uncommon either. He also said that getting nutrition into Truman is more important than how it gets in and whether he is eating developmentally-appropriate foods and whether he is using a cup or bottle or whether he is holding the bottle on his own and not to stress over those developmental milestones as much.
I think the best advice he gave us was that we needed to take a vacation without Truman. Yea, like that will happen. Also, being Indian, he has a different perspective on a lot of things about American parenting and our focus on sleeping through the night and avoiding the family bed and early weaning. I totally agree with him on our culture's efforts at making our children gain too much independence too early. As I've said before on the blog, what's wrong with babying your babies.
As far as the Bailey's screen, we didn't learn anything we didn't know and were advised to continue therapy. In other words, he's delayed in most areas, particularly speech and feeding, but is pretty close to his adjusted age in both large and fine motor skills. So, nothing new or exciting there.
--Kara
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3 comments:
UGH about the diapers - we use cloth too, so we know what it's like...
The Ezermans
Dr. Suterwala does have a way of bringing it all back into perspective. I admit it is hard to keep in mind how far they have come when we get so focused on where we want them to be. As far as a day without vomit - aren't those great days!!!!
Hi Guys, We just got the precious calendar and we love it! Comparing Truman's pictures from the earliest days to the present ...wow, what a huge difference. He has indeed come a long way ! Truman is going to do things on his own timetable and all things will happen as they are intended. You two are fabulous parents and Truman is a lucky young man to be growing up in your home. Love to all three. Janet
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