Ailments & Remedies

We have been very fortunate that LB's first year has been, overall, one of pretty good health.  When we have had a baby ailment, those who give us advice usually start out something like "I think we used to..." or "I'm trying to remember what that stuff was called..." Already my memory is fuzzy so I want to document our first year issues here and what we did.  Something LB might (or might not) want to read one day!

Side note:  PC is in sales and one of his customers is a senior citizen center.  I get a laugh out of his weekly visits with them because evidently he tells them every single baby ailment and they have a solution for all of them- some of which we have given a try, but only if it seems appropriate and legal:] 

Constipation.  This fun time when we started solids got its own entire post.  However, I left out that we also added miralax to his juice.  We have now been using the potty for six months for #2, so what started as something I tried just to satisfy grandma ended up being the routine.  Besides the inconvenience of carrying a travel potty, we have gotten used to this and I can't even imagine a poopy diaper with what we flush from that potty!  We have been very lucky with this but I don't count it a done deal because I'm not sure if it might change when he starts walking.          

No diaper rash and I totally give credit to this gem of a cream.  Used it in the NICU and found it at a local business.  Good stuff.

Bloody stool the first 4-6 weeks.  That was scary.  But we took him to the doctor and had tests ran and everything came back normal so we just waited and it went away.  We treated it like a milk allergy and switched to a formula for sensitive tummies. 

Stuffy nose- saline spray and snot sucker.  If you haven't heard of this tool, please look it up and keep an open mind- it is great to clear little noses!  Ran humidifier when needed.  

Cradle Cap-  A wash/rinse paste of selson blue & baking soda, lightly brush.  Did the trick!

Thrush- Gentian v.iolet.  Big Mess, didn't work.  Prescription- darn, have already forgot the name & will have to come back and add it.  It didn't work either.  Senior citizens gave us the name of an old timer with the gift of prayer for healing thrush.  Gone in three days.   Wish I would have known about him when we first started TTC!

Eczema & sensitive skin issues- sis-in-law, in medical field, got us in quick with a dermatologist when the eczema patches weren't getting any better- he gave me great advice and I only wish I had went sooner.  We got a steroid mixed with cerave lotion for the patches and switched to cetaphil body wash and cerave lotion.  LB has never had the powdery, baby smell (but he doesn't stink!) but these special soaps/lotions have kept his major sensitive skin free of problems.       

Hemangioma- nothing. Letting it go away on its own and will not consider surgery at this point.  Bled once- scared me to death- but just held a wash rag to it with pressure and it quit.

Teething- Hyland's gel & teething tablets- seem to give him some relief.  Pacifier- much better than him sucking on his hands and getting irritated skin from the drool.  Sophie the giraffe- expensive squeak toy, didn't work for us.   Baby Advil- we've used this on the worst days because he runs a low grade fever and is just really crabby- helps but we really only use it as a last resort.

Gas- Little Remedies gas drops- seems to help quickly.

Sleep- Senior citizens suggested catnip tea with or without a drop of liquor.  PC brought home something called calm child from a local herb store because it had catnip tea in it.  We have put a few drops in the last bottle and it seems to help him go to sleep faster but doesn't help with his waking/restlessness.  No liquor although mom and dad are getting close to the point of needing it!

Again, overall, we consider ourselves fortunate when it comes to LB's health this first year.  Fingers crossed it will stay that way!