TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Today, VanNestle and I visited the pediatrician, who was delighted to see us. We discussed Nessa's gas and nursing problems - fidgets, cries, chokes and sometimes screams as she nurses - and all the things I've tried to make things more comfortable for her. Seems after I've tried diet modification, foremilk and hindmilk manipulation, and new positioning strategies, Nessa still has a problem with "silent reflux," like many babies born early.

We think that I have the enviable problem of producing too much milk. My milk "let down" could be so powerful it swamps my baby girl! Just last night, as I was helping her get mama's milk faucet into position, I sprayed milk three different ways across the room and all over her face. Vanessa did not appreciate that. So, a trip back to the lactation specialist is in order, rather than jump right to a medicine.

The very good news is that Van does indeed weigh 11 lbs. 2 oz., putting her in the 75th percentile for weight, up from the 45th percentile from her first ped visit. She's in the 90th percentile of length, not bad for an early baby. I can't help feeling good that A. she's gained so much weight on my milk production, and B. she's longer than she is wide, just like you want your Levi's size to be.

Daddio, in keeping with Grandma Patty's declaration that Vanessa is a genius, has taught her a new trick: she can imitate him as he sticks out his tongue. Okay, maybe there's no place for this on her resume, but we're excited.

Today I had a follow-up appointment with my OB. Nessa was very cooperative until we were halfway through the exam. Then she began to scream. My doctor had to stop what he was doing to try to please her. It didn't work. Nessa hit a new octave, resulting in one of the nurses busting down the door to see if we could handle things. My OB had to rush the exam then he handed Nessa to me while I was still sitting there undressed. She was hungry! I got dressed and fed her a bottle (not in that order), then managed to carry her out in the carseat with the bottle in her mouth. Every single nurse in the hallway poked their head out and said, "She's loud," and the front desk staff all turned and said, "She's really loud." Yes, I said, she's calm most of the time, but when she has something to say she's very assertive. I have no idea where she gets that.