Frogger.
We still call you that. You’re still long and leggy, although much chubbier now (a good thing!). Sometimes, when you’re upset, you’ll stand right up on your legs against my chest.
The changes from newborn to now are so noticeable—your face used to fit entirely in my palm. You’re starting to babble, finding your voice, and showing more of your personality.
This post is heavily influenced by sleep deprivation, so strap in for a somewhat disorganized ride. Better to get the info out there than not at all, right?
Pediatrician Visit & Reflux
We took you to the pediatrician to get your reflux assessed. Of course, you were on your best behavior—calm, cute, even giggling at the airplane on the wall. “Well at least you get plenty of moments like this, too, right?” the doctor asked. I told her, unfortunately, they’re few and far between right now.
By Sunday, we started seeing more of your personality shine through, but here’s what I shared with the pediatrician:
Symptoms:
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Grunting and thrashing at night, waking yourself up
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Occasional projectile spit-up (several ounces—sometimes your whole feed)
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Coughing/gagging during feeds
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Hiccups multiple times a day, often after spitting up
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Short naps (20–30 min), frequent waking, long time to resettle
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Moaning in the car seat or wrap (used to enjoy)
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Occasional rapid breathing when uncomfortable or hungry
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Can’t sleep flat—prefers upright/slightly inclined (unsustainable for us)
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Often wakes from sleep due to spit-up
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Mild rash on belly
What we’ve tried:
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Removed dairy from my diet (~2 weeks ago)—reduced colic
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Mylicon ~4x daily
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Upright contact naps + holding upright 20–30 min after feeds
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Side-lying nursing at night (you fall asleep well this way)
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Started famotidine at night—only 2 doses so far (missed one)
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Bicycle legs/gas exercises (not much effect)
The good news:
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You’re thriving—up 3.5 lbs since birth (>0.5 lb/week)
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Physical exam was great (soft belly, alert)
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Many kids outgrow reflux by 3 months
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Dairy intolerance often disappears with time
Next steps:
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Increase famotidine to twice a day
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If no improvement, eliminate soy, eggs, then fish from my diet (gluten already out)
Sleep Update
You started off the week taking incredibly short naps. The slightest thing would wake you up, and it was difficult to get you to sleep.
I read that caffeine in newborns has a 2.5 day half-life (in adults it’s just a few hours). Ultimately that means that the coffee I had stays in your system for potentially 5 days. I think the caffeine I drank the last week affected your sleep as my tolerance increased and therefore my intake increased some. So I’m back to mostly caffeine free – just decaf now and some dark dairy free chocolate.
This week’s toughest stretch: 4–6 AM. You wake up grunting and uncomfortable, clearly wanting to sleep but unable to settle. Some days we run on fumes.
Weeklies
Nicknames
From Aunt Pam: “Pookie,” “Frogger” (helping you stretch your legs), “Sack of Sugar,” and “Greedy Guzzler” (milk chugging).
From me: “Sweet Baby,” occasionally “Little Monkey.”
From Papá: “Saco de patatas,” “Monkey Monkey,” and “Gorda Pitunga.”
Weight & Height
10 lb 4.9 oz this week! 21 inches tall. (That’s +3.5 lbs and +2 inches since birth.)
Firsts & Milestones
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Possible growth spurt—both physically and cognitively
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More social smiles and even a few giggles (Aunt Pam made you chuckle)
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You laugh at the “pss” noise (also a cue for you to pee)
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Giggle when tickled, especially when Papá squeezes your chin
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Longest nap yet—over four hours (sadly, not at night!)
On Mom – Physical Recovery
This week brought a curveball: I passed a large tissue mass (about the size of a peach pit). It didn’t look like a clot—more like what I’d seen after my miscarriage before your pregnancy.
You had a twin early in this pregnancy, who didn’t make it past 9 weeks (“vanishing twin”). The OB says it’s not possible this mass was related, but we couldn’t help but wonder.
My OB appointment got canceled, so I went to the ER with Aunt Pam. The ER doctor warned that if I had retained tissue, it could be serious and require surgery. After hours of waiting, the ultrasound looked normal for postpartum, and the fill-in OB said it was likely my period.
On Mom – Mental Health
At my 6-week follow-up, I screened positive for postpartum depression. Extending disability leave is a bureaucratic nightmare—so many hoops when you already have depression that it feels impossible.
Thankfully, even if I’m cleared for work, my next part of leave kicks in right after disability. I’ve started therapy—though 2–3 therapists canceled on me, and one refused to share notes with my doctor. I now have two potential fits. I’ve cried twice over it this week, but mostly I’m just deeply sleep deprived.
The Village
This week was a big reminder of how much help matters. Aunt Pam was a lifesaver—doing chores, babysitting you during my appointments, and giving you contact naps.
I’m endlessly grateful to her, to your great-aunt and grandmother, and to Aunt Susan. And to all the aunties who’ve made your first two months special with homecooked meals (thank you, Janet) and handmade blankets and sweaters (thank you, Elaina and Wendy).
This season is a mix of gratitude, love, exhaustion, self-reflection, and emotional survival mode. Some day, Clara, I hope to be that resource for you.
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