Jonas arrived on the 38th week under emergency caesarean. I was scheduled for induced natural delivery initially but the dilation was too slow (according to our gynae) therefore caesarean was performed. I read up a lot about natural birth and the many methods to relieve labor pains but nothing prepared me for the real situation when gynae told me I had to have a c-section. The op makes me a "passive player" whereby I just lie there and leave everything in the hands of my gynae. I think everyone should opt for natural if possible as the recovery will be faster then a c-sect. Post delivery, my wound hindered my movements eg cannot get up from bed quickly, and I could not get to my baby as soon as I want to even though he is just sleeping in the cot beside me. So in the end I had to give up breastfeeding my baby. My husband helps out by making him formula milk at night so I won't have to get up.
Jonas was diagnosed with jaundice when we discharged from the hospital. The nurse said we have to sun him everyday for a week before seeing the paed. The paed we chose was from a list we received from my gynae. We did as told and went to see him 1 week later. But we were horrified to hear that Jonas jaundice level has risen and he needs to go back to the hospital for a blood test and very possibly needs phototherapy! On the day we discharged, we saw a newborn undergoing phototherapy and the poor baby was wailing so loudly under the light it scare us. We definitely do not want to put Jonas through that if possible. Jonas was also diagnosed to be dehydrated. I know I was not producing enough breast milk. But Jonas also doesn't take formula very well. Many times, he pukes after feeding. We were really at a lost being first time parents, not knowing what to do next. It was then my sister in law who heard of Jonas's situation suggested we seek second opinion and introduced us the paed her kids are currently seeing. Dr Koey suggested taking a blood test to check his bilirubin level first. The results showed that Jonas have a moderate case and we are advised to continuing sunning him for 1 more week twice a day and to keep him well hydrated. Thank God his jaundice went down when we visited the paed for follow up and his appetite was better too. It is always advisable to seek a second opinion if you question or don't feel comfortable with the current paed your child is seeing.
As Jonas grows up, there are two issues which kept bothering him and are difficult to resolve even though we've seen the paed about it. His scalp and skin is very dry since birth.
All babies need to be moisturized but more so Jonas due to his skin condition. Now I moisturize him 2-3times a day as he also sleeps in an air conditioned room. We as parents need to keep in mind that remedies on the internet may not always work on our babies but good to take as a reference. As every child is different, sometimes a combination of methods is necessary and we adjust accordingly to how the child takes to each management. Dry skin, if not taken care of, can last through a child's lifetime. So parents please take note and do not take it too lightly.
Jonas has a weak stomach to begin with. He threw up quite frequently during his early months when he was fed formula (I used Similac Intelli-pro). At times, I'll give him expressed breast milk to calm his stomach. We switched him to Similac Total Comfort after recommendation from his paed. This formula does not have lactose and is also easier to digest. He is taking quite well to it for a few months but at 6 months when he started to take solids, he constipates. The paed suggested to try switching to another formula as the current one may be too "heaty" causing him to constipate. He mentioned Nan and Friso. I decided to try Nan as my colleague's child is using that and she told me it is less sweet than other brands. But maybe because it is less sweet, Jonas rejected completely. Even feeding it to him at night when he was tired didn't work. So I switched him back to Total Comfort but used more water and less formula when preparing the milk. The solid food he was taking at the time consisted of porridge and vegetables. Switching him through a few different brands of milk powder didn't help and we have to bring him to see the paed several times regarding this problem. Up till now, I still can't find a solution that helps him to have a bowel movement daily. Tried giving him papaya, drinking more water and prune purée but he still passes motion like once every 3 days. He is currently drinking Enfagrow stage 3. During the last visit to the paed, he suggested giving less fibre, more water and try other brands of formula like Friso as he said Enfagrow is also more heaty. And I think I'll probably start trying to give him honey water as it's recommended for easing bowels. I'll use it together with the healthy bacteria medication that another doctor gave to regulate his stomach and digestion.
Hopefully, as most paed told me, his problems will be resolved as he grows up when he has more regular meals and fluid intake.
To sum it up, I'll share with you Jonas's growing milestones for the past year.
At 4 months plus he is able to hold his own milk bottle briefly. He can also flip onto his tummy by himself.
At 5 months plus he is trying to push himself up from the tummy position.
At 6 months he starts to take solid food. I started off giving him pumpkin purée and papaya purée. Subsequently, my mother in law gave him porridge cooked with vegetable and pork or fish.
At 7 months he can sit up straight with support.
At 8 months he pushes himself up onto his knees and rocks himself back and forth. He can also pull himself forward on his tummy. He sits up straight unsupported. And his first tooth appeared on his lower gum!
At 10 months he pulls himself to stand up by grabbing onto things.
At 11 months he can let go of his hands and stand on his own briefly. He tries to stand up by pushing himself up from sitting position. And now he has 2 teeth on his lower gum. He walks unsupported when inside the playpen.
At 12 months he walks around on the ground by holding onto objects. Makes a lot of sounds and can imitate many gestures that we teach him. He can also hold snacks with his fingers and feed himself. 2 more teeth start to grow on his upper gum now.
And as I watch him grow I hope I'll have more happy stories to share rather than grumbling as my boy can be quite difficult to tame. At such a tender age, he is already stubborn and throws tantrums if things didn't turn out the way he wants. So the next stage will be teaching and guiding him. Look forward to more of my experience sharing. :)
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