Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Some Feedback, please...

Okay, there are few minor parenting situations going on over at our house, and I always love to turn to the blog to get some much needed advice. 

Warning:  I will be talking about bathroom issues.

Okay, situation number one, which I have not blogged about because I am ashamed to admit that Ada is still not FULLY potty trained.  Let me explain.  We have got "tee-tee" completely under control.  I don't remind her to go, she never has accidents, she uses public restrooms, it is not a problem.  It's the "poopy" that is causing us serious trouble!!!!  Here's the deal, if I don't let her "go" in her diaper, then she holds it and holds it and holds it, and she is a champion "holder."  As I have blogged about before, Ada has had bowel issues (I really apologize for all the bathroom talk, but I desperately need some advice) since she was five months old and I switched her to formula (hence my strong desire to nurse John and forego formula altogether).  So, we have battle after battle after battle, and I end up letting her go in her diaper to avoid more serious problems caused by holding it.  The doctor always says, of course, feed her foods that will make her go.  Well, I know all of that, and I carefully monitor what she eats, but really, at this point, she can hold it despite the food that I give her.  I have heard other moms mention miralax, and my childhood pediatrician even mentioned that, but I have no idea how much to give her or how often.  I DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE ANOTHER ONE OF HER DIRTY DIAPERS!!!  Help me!!!  I do not mind making her go in her panties; in fact, that is how we go her potty trained with the tee-tee, the problem is that I don't know how to make her go in her panties.  Again, help me, please.  By the way, I HATE potty training!!!

Okay, situation number two, which I have blogged and blogged about.  John is still so dependent on my breastmilk.  It is his main source of calories, and he is eating every three hours around the clock.  He is gaining weight just fine, but I am worn out.  Plus, his first birthday is right around the corner, and as thankful as I am that we have nursed this long, I would like to cut it off at a year.  I am a bit burned out, to be honest with you.  I am trying to force him to get calories elswhere, but he gags on any actual solid food, even puffs, and usually ends up throwing it up.  At Thanksgiving I fed him some dressing, which he loved, but then threw it up, as well.  I can usually get him to eat some baby food, but for the most part he's just not that interested.  And he certainly isn't drinking liquids from anything other than me.  Again, I am desperate for some advice.  I want to make the weaning process as painless as possible, but it's not looking good.  He is certainly not going to wean himself.  And I don't even mind a "comfort nurse" before bed and naps, etc, but at 10 months shouldn't he be getting calories elsewhere?

Okay, advice?  Anyone?

8 comments:

Margaret said...

Here is to hoping that I can help! Simms has been on a half a cap of miralax since 1 YEAR OLD! It is a necissity in this household and IT WORKS! We'd be doing glycerin supp daily if not for it! Just adjust the amt you give her based on how it causes "things" to end up. Trying not to gross anyone out here! I am thinking poor Cope is about to start getting mirilax too! My poor children and their bowels! Hope this helps some! I think the mirilax definetly will help the problem!

Amy said...

We've been to a gastroent..something like that for david's constipation issues (blood in stool). He told us to give him 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of milk of magnesia every night. He said its not addictive. It works like a charm. We never had the potty issues w/ #2 but I sure can talk a lot about constipation! Does she ask for the diaper when she wants to go? That's funny. Maybe bribe her? (I know not the best advice)

Deanna said...

I have no suggestion on the weaning thing. It sounds like maybe John has a bit of a texture issue with food? That could be part of the problem, but I am no help on the solution.

I have a friend who used Miralax when her baby was less than a year old. She had good luck with it and didn't see any negative side effects or anything. I believe it was a teaspoon per day, mixed into his milk or juice. I will ask for sure...it might be worth a try!

P.S. I DREAD potty-training!!

Kathy said...

Definitely sounds like a texture thing - except the throwing up after Thanksgiving dressing part. One of my friend's pediatricians suggested putting just a sprinkle of sugar on her son's food (breastmilk is sweet, so he thought this might help) - he hasn't stopped eating! Just an idea. Good luck!

Jessica said...

hey, talk to Katie Meredith...she had to take Colby and Tristan to a doctor to have texture therapy! They apparently would choke on baby food...Deanna's post made me think of that.

6kids4me said...

I nursed all 6 of my kids and some were better nursers than others. As I got to child 5 and 6, I noticed the same thing as you. If you want to get them to a year with the nursing then you have to nurse like crazy and then they love, love, love, the nursing and then they don't want to stop. That said, I would keep nursing as you currently are, but I would try to offer lots of drink choices during the day and evening to try to get him less dependent on you. This is going to take a few weeks I am guessing. I found that the less I offered it, the less they would crave it. I would offer tasty stuff to start, like apple juice, gatorade, etc, watered down, but still tasty to him and I would offer it before the breast. I hope that helps.

Laura Forman said...

Sadie also has constipation issues...it is awful! Our doctor told us to give her a tablespoon of miralax in an 8 ounce glass of liquid until she was regular again. He suggested that once she is regular to change her diet. I noticed that she was drinking too much milk and eating too much sugar, if I backed off of those things and added more fiber it was much better. But I am also back in the same boat as you, she was completely potty trained in China and has gone back to diapers full time here, it is awful!! I am waiting until after the holidays to start again though, can we say procrastination?
And about John...I am so sorry! Jack is waking up 3 times a night again (he was sleeping through the night in China) but he surely isn't nursing every 3 hours during the day too...oh wow...wish I had some advice for you!
Praying friend!

Anonymous said...

We had to do the miralax with AC. I gave her about 1/2 capful, maybe just under that...i had an imaginary line lol. Gave her that once a day usually just in her milk in the morning or evening. On days that it was bad i did it both morning and night but as long as i did it once a day every day then we didn't seem to get to that point. I would start out at twice a day until it gets regular if it were me then back off to once a day. But i gave it to her everyday at least once no matter what so that she stayed regular. She has grown out of it now and doesn't need it anymore so it's not something you'll have to do forever! hang in there...i have no advice on nursing...I failed at that lol!
Corrie