Samantha's GI Appointment

Samantha had her GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) check-up today with Dr. Cornfeld up in DC. First, the important details:

Stats
**Weight - 15lbs&14oz.
**Height - 26.3"

Percentiles
**Weight - 25% (again *sigh*
**Height - Around 30%

Her height has not changed since February. Babies are supposed to grow about two inches between four and six months. Why is she not growing? We're not giving her coffee!

Dr.C was very happy to see her as he has not seen her since December. He loves her and calls her "his little peanut". We love him because a) he is the only doctor that treats us like parents and adults, b) he explains everything to us in detail and never leaves parts out like some of her doctors do, and c) he is funny, caring, understanding and extremely smart.

He wants to start weaning her off Elecare (hypoallergenic, free amino acids, no milk or cow proteins; so it's basically just vitamins) and onto regular formula so that her stomach can learn to digest better. Elecare simply absorbs into her system without her tummy having to do much work. It is important that she gets off of it so her stomach can get stronger. This of course scares me, because I don't want her to relapse like she did when she was a newborn. I don't want to have to go into the hospital again, and it's so hard to see her in pain. Dr.C understands this and wants to begin introducing the new formula by one bottle every three days. It will give us the chance to monitor her closely and make sure there are no allergic reactions or problems with her GERD. The formula to use, he said, is anything we want but it's best to go with the cheapest. We haven't started yet but will next week. We will be reporting to him every two weeks to give him the results of her weight checks. We also have to start giving her food but must only give her pears, oatmeal, carrots or peas. Nothing else, and only once a day, a little at a time.

I am scared and anxious, but I know that we have to do what's best for Sam. We can do this.