not for the faint of stomach

I did it.  I took the little dude to the Dr. Rockstar about his cough/choke.  The coughing started about three weeks ago and I really thought it would have cleared up by now.  I was more concerned about that than about the periodic vomit that was accompanying the coughs.  It wasn't like he threw up every time he coughed.  Sometimes he just choked on his own tongue it seemed.

A trip to Dr. Rockstar reassured me that Caleb was not sick, or at least didn't have a cold or anything.  But after watching the baby vomit on him in a projectile fashion three times while he was holding him... let's just say it didn't take him long to suggest a closer look.

So after taking a few good sips of barium they were able to spot no blockages (thank goodness) but it was indeed acid reflux.  Who knew that acid reflux was hereditary?  Well I was unaware.  And my husband has absolutely awful acid reflux. 

So when Dr. Rockstar called me from his cell phone on a Friday night (had to throw that in there to emphasize his nickname) and informed me that he had called in a week's worth of antacid to our pharmacy, we of course picked up the prescription. 

And then when it came time to give him the medicine I dawdled.  I think I just wondered, how much of this vomiting was just normal baby spit up?  I mean, is it worth it to give him medicine over it?  (I don't like to give unnecessary medicine to anyone, not only tiny babies)  I set aside those thoughts and gave him the medicine.

We gave him the first dose before bed one night.  Then I fed him.  And put him in his bassinet.  And we waited.

And waited.

And you know what I heard?  Crickets.  Literally nothing.  No coughing.  No vomiting.  No gagging and choking.  And no crying.

He slept six hours.

It was so nice to not have to worry about whether I'd wake up every time he choked, or to change his soaked clothes six times each night.  (And when I say soaked, I mean it.  We had taken to using a burp BLANKET, because a regular cloth wasn't big enough to keep the burper or the burpee dry) 

So we gave him a second dose in the morning.  And for once the poor little dude didn't cry whenever he wasn't nursing or cuddled by me.  I was able to put him in his swing and have him look around and be peaceful. 

Needless to say I'm going to stop doubting Dr. Rockstar.  Because his judgment has been spot-on thus far.  Caleb still fusses when there's something wrong, and he will still eat every 3-4 hours at night most of the time I'm sure.  But at least he's not awake from discomfort and swallowing his own vomit constantly.

As for treatment, the good doctor wants to reevaluate in a week.  (Can't leave anyone on an antacid for too long)  And we'll go from there.