Momma and her baby bird

Are sick :( We've come down with colds. Matt had it last week, I started feeling sick on Friday, and last night Ethan was even more congested. The poor baby -- only 5 weeks old and has his first cold.

I love this picture of us. I'm exhausted and look terrible but he's so sweet. It was taken on one of the first days home with him. He reminds me of a little baby bird looking up to his momma for food.




No matter what, there are ups and downs. Easy days and more difficult days. We thought we had a handle on Ethan's digestive issues but we were WRONG.

Before you read any further, be warned that this post may be TMI as I describe my son's poop. Sorry, but it's a part of the job.

Last Thursday afternoon Ethan was terribly fussy. We had a difficult night and by Friday morning I noticed that his poop was mucous-y and almost green. His diaper rash was back. He was still randomly congested (on and off since he was 2 weeks old). His gas was worse than it had been before. He was miserable.

I called the pediatrician. They suggested that I eliminate diary from my diet. When I told them that I had already eliminated most dairy they asked if I was consuming soy. I had been using soy milk for my cereal every morning. They suggested that I eliminate all dairy and soy since it seemed like his symptoms were those of an allergy/intolerance.

Also, the symptoms that we thought could be signs of reflux may be symptoms of a food allergy/intolerance.

We won't really know if that IS the issue unless I eliminate all of the dairy and soy in my diet and wait. They can stay in his system for up to two weeks! We're hoping we figured it out and that he'll grow out of it. Matt had a dairy intolerance when he was a baby as well so it could be likely that Ethan has it too. We'll see.

I started my search for dairy and soy free foods & recipes. Let me tell you, there aren't many. Dairy and soy are in EVERYTHING. Even in my prenatal vitamin! We bought ALL new food this weekend and are adjusting.

Here are some helpful resources in case any one else is facing this challenge.
This link is to kellymom.com where I found a lot of helpful info.

Here is a list of ingredients to look for if you are eliminating dairy.

And here are lists of ingredients to look for if you are eliminating other things such as soy.

Another for more dairy terminology.

Now I know that all babies are fussy and gassy but honestly, because of his other symptoms and because I feel this is worse than the 'norm', I'm going to try these eliminations. We'll just wait to see if there is a difference.

Wish us luck!